question on hospital, ob and er care?

Question

I was 18 wks preg, went to er bad sharp pains, slight contractions. I was sent home no work up at all. two days later dr kept pushing on uterus making it so i couldnt walk out but walked in. I was crying in contractions. I went back that night, bleeding in contractions. Made them admit us, did ultrasound found abnormal results. Was sent home with only diagnosis of bladder spasms all week. Hemmoraged on way to hospital where delieverd 5 mth baby boy alive, and buried him two weeks ago. Really bad neglience on the staff of hosp, er and ob, lawyer told us that and that they did not provide proper standard of care and very wrong diagnosis of care. They had all the sxs and chances to help me, but never took the time to dig far enough, or to get more help. here i was told placental abruption can re heal itself when put on proper medical advice. Problem is to sue for wrongful death our baby was born alive but one thing we waiting on to find out from attorney is would of the outcome been different if diagnosis was given 5 days ago when was first seen. I was told by another ob def it would of, but awaiting answer from attorney and was wondering if anyone else experienced anything like this. Heartbroken and wondering. Thanks

Answer 1

From a medical perspective, the only thing I see wrong here is the first time being sent home without a workup or an ultrasound or anything. They doctor pushing on your uterus. . . he needed to examine it, to feel size, feel for contractions, etc.



I don't understand why you think you "made" the hospital admit you. . . please explain. I can't imagine a hospital not taking action on a bleeding pregnant woman. When did they decide to send you home? Had you stopped bleeding? Had there been confirmation of your baby's heartbeat before you left? What exactly abnormal was found in the ultrasound?



Without more detail it's impossible to tell if the hospital was negligent or not. Patients have a very one-sided view of their care and don't always understand exactly what's happening behind the scenes and what certain conditions warrant which kinds of actions. And to be honest, at less than 23 weeks gestation when a baby isn't viable, they simply do not take heroic measures to save babies - in many cases if complications develop that early you really can't stop them or prevent delivery anyway.



I am terribly sorry for your loss, but often things in pregnancy can go wrong quickly, with little warning. Often symptoms can be very vague and diagnostics don't always catch everything soon enough or provide enough to go on that would make anyone suspect things much worse are on the horizon. Doctors are not gods and tests are not perfect and we don't know everything about why some pregnancies develop complications. I'm sure that's not the answer you want to hear, but it is absolutely the truth. I work in this environment everyday and see how ambiguous pregnancy complications sometimes can be.



I wish you the best of luck in sorting this out and working through your grief.



To add: I also want to mention about predatory lawyers. They are trying to make money, and they know that there is money to be made, especially if a case goes before a jury - people are sympathetic to families who lose children and feel like blame has to be assigned, and to who else than the care providers.

Answer 2

coming from the same background as Jill I completely agree with her statement. I too am extremely sorry for your loss...I couldn't imagine having to go through that even though I am on the other side of it more often then I would like. I'm a little shocked that they sent you home the first time with no work up at all...that is a problem.

As Jill stated the doctor pushing on your uterus is pretty standard for an assessment (although I wasn't feeling it...maybe he did it hard enough to hurt you, but it would have been pretty difficult to do it hard enough to make your problem worse (causing bleeding)...people get into very bad accidents with no effect on their placenta/baby). If they diagnosed you with bladder spasms while bleeding I do question that diagnosis. But also with a "threatened miscarriage" which is what it sounded like you had with the bleeding and the horrible cramping/contractions I don't know if the outcome would have changed. The only thing that could have been done would be bed rest and instructing you to drink plenty of water. Medications to stop labor do not work that early in pregnancy and if the cervix was opening and bleeding was occurring there isn't a good chance of maintaining the pregnancy for another 6 weeks (which would be viable). The rehealing of abpruptions generally only can occur when they are mild enough to either not cause constant bleeding (i.e. usually formed in the middle of the placenta and contained by the placenta - where it can clot off and heal over). I am again very sorry that you went through what you have been through. It is also not abnormal for an 18 week baby to be born alive in that situation and I hope you got to spend some valuable time with your little one.

Answer 3

Tiffaney, I am sorry about your loss. I believe your instincts are correct in this. Always trust your gut. I can only imagine how you feel, but I am very empath. A mother knows. That simple. Don't second question it. It might take months or a year, but being that was your child, you have every right to find the truth. I say dig all the way to the bottom. Talk with other doctors, research online.



Don't let anyone, no matter their profession convince you against what you feel. So many people have pushed and pushed and found the answers -- against what doctors or lawyers have said.



I wish you the best of luck. I think you know the truth and you deserve justice.

Answer 4

you need to bypass to the er, yet you're unlikely to get the attention and care which you require. they actually will only deal consisting of your an infection. once you're actually not left with lots selection in case you have an infection, it is not a robust thought to attempt to get prenatal care from the er going forward.

Answer 5

I am very sorry for your loss. I would be pretty upset at the doctors as well!! It just goes to show that doctors need to trust the patients intuition, especially as mommies. I hope you get to meet your little one again someday.



You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Answer 6

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, i agree it was negligence on the doctors and nurses part. I wish you luck in your proceedings.