Ok, I have to tell the truth. I am kind of freaking out a bit about this c-section. I have questions and requests that I would like to get out in the open, but I really don't know where the boundaries are. How much say do I really get in my medical care? If I have an opinion that differs from the norm, will I be judged and treated as a problem patient? I have always just gone along with whatever the docs have told me to do, but this time I'm a little older, wiser and ornery-er (is that a word?). I want to feel like I have some control over my birth experience, even if it is just small things like, what I can eat afterward, when my staples will be removed, what tests they do on my baby, etc. Maybe it's because this is my last and I want to feel like I was a part of my child's birth instead of basically having it done to/for me. I don't know if this makes any sense to anyone who hasn't had a c-section. I still have some real issues that I have had since the trauma of Becka's birth, and apparently they are a little closer to the surface than I previously realized. I'm not going to go all crazy psycho on the hospital staff, I just want to have a chance to ask my questions, and make my thoughts and wishes known. After all, it is my body and my baby, right? I feel like after having gone through 3 of these surgeries already, I have knowledge about what works and what doesn't for my particular situation. I also know what I want for my baby and my requests are not unreasonable at all. It's so frustrating being the kind of person I am...someone who doesn't want to rock the boat, I don't want to disagree with anyone, but at the same time, there's a small part inside me that is screaming, "Hello! What about how I feel? What I need/want?" Stifling that small part almost always makes me regretful and upset when everything is said and done.
Here's my list, some of it may be TMI, sorry about that, You don't have to keep reading. :)
1. I just want to know why they can't make that AWFUL antacid drink taste better. I mean, come on people! We can transplant people's hearts and create nuclear weapons, but the antacid we give patients before surgery makes them gag and want to vomit because of the taste? I completely understand the need for this medicine before the surgery, I just would like to be able to drink it (especially since I have nothing else in my stomach) without being afraid it will all come back up.
2. (Here's the TMI part) Again, I understand the reasons for shaving me, but does it really have to be done dry and with a disposable razor? Can we please find a happy medium that doesn't make me want to scream obscenities while it is happening? If nothing can be done about that, could we at least wait until I have the spinal in me so that I can't feel the torture?
3. Why did I have my staples removed the day I left the hospital with my first two, but with the third, I had to go back a week after the surgery and have them removed after my skin had already started healing/growing over them? Oh, and could someone please explain to the nurses which set of tools is supposed to be used for their removal? Two out of the three times I have been near tears while they were removing the staples only to hear them say halfway through, "oh, no wonder this is hurting you, I'm not using the right kit." What??? Does anyone else see my pain issue in these last two posts? :) I obviously am a wimp, but at least I'm admitting it.
4. If I say I don't want my baby supplemented with formula, could I please not be given a huge guilt trip about that or even worse, have the nurses sneak it into my kid while I'm sleeping? Thanks. I mean, I have HUGE babies, it's normal for babies to lose a little bit of weight while in the hospital. Going from 10 pounds to 9 pounds just doesn't strike me as a reason to lecture me on the dangers of babies losing too much weight. Go talk to the lady who has a 6 pound baby and then I can see the need for concern.
5. I know you have to ask me certain questions that are a bit embarrassing, but could you please do it discretely in front of other people? I really don't think my father in law wants to know if I have passed gas yet or not.
6. Back to the surgery prep thing. Why when I give blood at the Red Cross, do they always tell me I have great veins and never have an issue getting the needle in on the first try, but when I get my IV put in, it takes 5-6 tries on each arm and three different people to finally get it in? I just don't understand it. I know they must be different needles or something, but if you can't get it in me after the first 4 times, am I allowed to ask you to go find someone who can? My 3 year old was very concerned that my arms were black and blue when he came to visit me last time, I had to agree that I looked like some sort of torture victim.
7. Please, please, please don't get grumbly at me if I ask for pain meds. I have learned the hard way what happens when I don't keep up on them and I never ever want to deal with that again. I promise that I will not abuse them, but for the first few days, just please give me everything you've got! Heck, you can just leave the spinal in if you want to.
Just for the record, I try my best to be a model patient and I don't bother the nurses unless I really need them. I know they are very busy and they are (for the most part, I've had one or two I wasn't so sure about) the awesome-est (again with my making up words) people in the hospital. Without them, nothing would happen. I know sometimes to docs are bossy to them and I don't want to come across as pushy or rude at all when I ask them questions or for help. I just want to feel like I am allowed to think for myself and not be grumped at, ya know?
Monday, February 22, 2010
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6 comments:
AMEN!
I know what you mean about wanting to be a model patient and not ruffle feather...but seriously? This is a time for you to anticipate, enjoy and celebrate. I don't see any reason why you couldn't/shouldn't express your concerns and requests. Its your day, your baby, you should be the one in control. In a respectable, polite way of course.
GO HEIDI!
: )
If there was anything I learned during my last pregnancy it's that I have to speak up. You are your best advocate! You can do it!
I am excited for ya'll! It's been so fun to have older kids with a baby, they can be so much help and they learn so much about love.
Absolutely you have a say. I would print this off and take it to your dr. well before the surgery and talk. He/She may have to actually document in your chart, I have agreed to xyz, so you don't get told that "this is standard proceedure and to do otherwise we need to get the dr.'s approval and we don't have time for that right now" type of answer. (No offense to nurses-I have extreme respect for all they do and I know how much is demanded of them so I have been told taking care of permission early can save precious time and headaches to all involved:)
As for the IV, I have been told (because that happens to me too-well actually, I always have hard to get to veins but it is so much worse at delivery time) that it is because you are swollen from preganancy and dehydrated in preparation for the procedure (in my case, induction not c-section but I assume you are still restricted from food and drink). I have gone through several nurses and a few anesthesiologists because I am such a hard stick. Now I just warn them ahead of time and say you have two or three chances and if don't think you can get it, please get someone else. With each of my deliveries, the nurses are so sweet and whole heartedly agree. Some take one look and say immediately that they will go get someone else. Sure there are some masachistic (sp?) ones out there but I think most are very understanding about not wanting to be a pincushion!
haha! You are too funny! I don't remember the drink prior to surgery, I shave before hand so they don't have too, but the formula thing I totally hear ya girl...and the staples with the twins were removed two days after the surgery, I hope they don't do it two weeks later! You have the right to say whatever and not feel guilty, it is your boby, baby and your payin' the bill. You will only see those nurses for about three days and then never again so you better speak up!
Here is the "SPEAK UP" sign we have in the ER @ providence...
Speak up if you have questions or concerns,and if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have the right to know.
Pay Attention to the care you are recieving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and meds by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
Educate yourself about the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan
Ask a family memember for trusted friend to be your advocate.
Know what medications you take and why you take them.
Use a hospital,or other type of organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation state-of-the-art quality and safety standards
&
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team!
and lastly...who the HE@@ cares about what they are going to think of you!!
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