Our local hospital lost a baby over the weekend due to fetal distress. Turns out that an emergency C-Section was needed but no anesthesiologist could be reached in time for anisthesia to be administered. The doctor also didn't call this is correctly as a STAT (an emergency) so the baby didn't make it. I can't imagine what the parents are going through. It makes me so sad..
My question is.. in this life or death case, would you want the surgery without the anisthesia if it meant life or death for your baby? Also, who's fault is it.. the doctor's or the hospitals?
2007-11-20 07:56:47 · 22 answers · asked by Cupid 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I don't think it's that cut and dry.
Yes, it is horrible. I'd be suing the hospital and the doctor in a second!
But I have also been through a C-Section and I know that they are literally taking out your organs to get that baby out. They wouldn't even start until I could no longer feel anything.
I think that it's not just a matter of enduring some pain for your child.... it might be a lot more than that. If you feel the excrutiating pain of having your organs removed from your body, will you be able to sit still?
Will the pain actually cause you to go into cardiac arrest and risk not only the baby's life, but yours as well?
I think there are a ton of reasons that they CAN'T do it wihout the drugs... probably worse that what actually happened.
Again - I am not in any way defending the hospital's lack of preparation... i just think there is a lot more to consider than simply whether you would take some pain for your child.
I think we all love our kids. I can't even put into words how much I love and adore my son. losing him would be the worst thing in the world.
I feel for the parents. I hope they do sue everyone who was negligent. What kind of hospital doesn't have an anesthesiologist ready in case of emergency?! I think that the doctor and the hopital share fault on this one.
2007-11-20 08:08:59 · answer #1 · answered by Proud Momma 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I'd rather go through the pain. Things can go pretty poorly in a matter of minutes. I'd go so far as to say it's not either the doctor's or the hospital's fault--why didn't the parents demand that the surgery take place without anesthetic? Or, why not a local to dull the pain? Or, even in some dire situations, they'll give a patient morph. and deliver really quickly. I think all 3 sets of people were at fault--the parents for not questioning, the hospital for not having more anesthesiologists, and the doctor for not seeking out help.
2007-11-20 16:09:04 · answer #2 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid it's not that easy. I had a C-section, and judging by the pain after wards, I can just imagine what it must feel like when they're doing it without any anesthesia. It's easy to say 'cut me open and take him out' if you haven't been through that surgery. My husband saw the whole thing and relished in telling me how my organs were laid out on my body... can you imagine that kind of trauma and being awake to feel it all?
I love my son more than myself though, and if I was in that situation I'd want my baby to live (I'd rather die than see my child die). So yes, I'd probably do it... I like to think I can be strong enough for my baby to do something like that. Plus there's other medications they can use to ease pain and 'put you to sleep'.
I don't think any doctor would do something like that though... at the very least, I think you'd pass out from the pain - at worst you'd die - they'd open themselves up to a world of law suits and public outrage.
I don't see why a 'regular' surgeon couldn't give her anesthesia though... in that situation they usually don't bother with a Spinal or Epidural because it takes too long, they just knock you out.
I think it's the hospital's fault really, they should make sure they have all the needed staff on board in case of emergencies.
Mind you, now that I think about it... my doctor made sure there was an anesthesiologist and arranged with him to be there... so perhaps the doctors also have a share in the blame.
2007-11-20 16:36:34 · answer #3 · answered by elainevdb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd rather go through unbearable pain than have my child suffer. In fact, I'd rather die than my baby die. It is the hospital and the doctor's fault. There should always be an anesthesiologist available. They get paid 6 figures to be on call no matter what. The hospital should have a few others on hand in case of a situation like this. It is unfortunate and my heart goes out to these parents. I hope they sue the pants off the doctor and the proverbial pants off the hospital.
2007-11-20 16:02:01 · answer #4 · answered by Astragalo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure the hospital had local anesthetic handy, why couldn't they numb the skin and get on with it? That would be what I want.I don't think I could go through it with NO pain medication, I mean, they are cutting into your tummy and into your uterus! OUCH! I am sure it would still be painful, but not as much and it might be a little bearable but DEF worth it for my baby.It's both the doctor and the hospitals fault for not being prepared.
2007-11-20 16:13:17 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ϑεηηιƒετ♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this is a terrible story and I hate to hear it. But I also hate that some people feel that someone has to be to blame. There are no guarantees when you go to the hospital. Doctors are human just like you and I and everyone makes mistakes in this life.
2007-11-20 16:10:19 · answer #6 · answered by Cruz and Kinsley's momma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is the mother's if she was givin the choice to go through with the c-section without the meds. She had that choice to take some pain in order to give her child life. If they said we cant do it cuz we dont have the meds then it was the hospital and doctors cuz they hired him and he works there. Thats a terrible story though, and that what i mean about parent sacrifice that was a major one and the consequence was bad. God Bless that family!
2007-11-20 16:05:38 · answer #7 · answered by Lady M&M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Either way it would have been painful...delivery with no epidural or C-Section with no epidural. I could be wrong, but I don't think they are allowed to perform C-Sections without anthesia, the pain would interfere with performing the surgery because the person would be squirming, tyring to move,etc. But if that were my situation, I have to say that I would do anything to save the baby, the moment without anthesia is small compared to the lifetime of being with your child.
2007-11-20 16:08:25 · answer #8 · answered by ataman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
any mother would probably want to o through the pain but he rpain would only cause a higher heartrate and more distress for the baby- its a lose losee situation too bad that they couldnt get one thats aweful- they shoudnt except birthing mothers with out an anesthesiologist
2007-11-20 16:05:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is the hospital's responsibility to ensure adequate staffing for a delivery ward - this includes having an anesthesiologist on hand in case of emergency.
Given the choice - I'd ask for the Jack Daniels, bite the bullet, and pray.
2007-11-20 16:01:34 · answer #10 · answered by AmericanDreamer 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋