OT: Just heard this on CNN

[mama2galpals]

A man holding his wifes leg during childbirth fell and hit his head and died three days later. I can't believe what a freak accident that is.

rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

There is no remedy for love but to love more.
--Henry David Thoreau

http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png

[Rachels]

I saw that article. He was holding her up while she received an epidural. Seeing the needle go into her back was a bit much for him, and he passed out. When he passed out, he hit his head on something metal and sustained head injuries that ultimately killed him.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
New baby coming in October!
(Holy smokes, it's a boy!!!)


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya Angelou
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

[mmaimp]

This kind of scared me. My DH hit the floor in our last delivery during the epidural. He went to the ER and thank goodness was fine. I have a friend who is a L&D nurse in a small hospital and she said it happens once or twice a year to them. I wonder if there is anyway to make it safer and still keep dad involved and helping mom?

[daniele_ut]

That is just SO sad to hear about!!

My doc didn't allow DH in the room while I got my spinal and had him seated during my c-section because he has had a few dads get woozy and pass out on him.

[linsei]

I heard! How awful. I've watched an epidural and I instantly felt sick and came close to passing out. I'm surprised they even allow dads to stay in the room for the placement.

Linda



http://lilypie.com/baby2/040428/1/5/1/-5/.png[/img][/url]

[KrisM]

How sad! What a terrible thing.

DH was made to sit down and only look at me during the epidural.

[mudder17]

Yeah, I saw the article on IWON just now. During my epi, DH stood up to hold me steady and to help me through my contractions during the needle insertion. For some reason, he did suddenly feel woozy, but the nurses noticed right away and got him seated with his head between his knees, etc., and he recovered pretty well. After reading this article, I'm so glad our nurses were alert to that! It's funny because DH doesn't normally have problems with needles or anything like that, especially on himself, but twice, he's now been woozy at seeing a needle go into me--once in my hand when I had a really bad cut and they had to numb it to do stitches, and once at the epidural. Regular shots and giving blood etc., don't phase him, though.

Anyway, it's so sad for the woman and her children! What a freak accident!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[mama2galpals]

it is just awful. so crazy. it's understandable that someone who hasn't seen some of these procedures could feel woozy. i'm sure i would have if it was the other way around.



rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

There is no remedy for love but to love more.
--Henry David Thoreau

http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png

[redhookmom]

That is so sad. So very sad.

[jasabo]

I heard about that. I think I heard that the family is suing the hospital now.

Lisa - mom to 2 yr old twin boys

[Wife_and_mommy]

Could someone tell me where? I've looked on CNN and googled IWON but didn't find anything.

How very sad for that family.


Elizabeth

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

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Our second morsel due early February 2006!

[Laurelsmom2002]

Well here's the story from med page

http://www.medpagetoday.com/OBGYN/Pregnancy/tb2/1332

[sntm]

Sounds awful, but frankly, I can't believe the family is suing. I don't think that represented malpractice. While I dislike doing procedures with family members in the room, under these circumstances, I think it is justifiable. The whole thing could have been avoided by having him seated while he was in there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03
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Breastfeeding 2 years & counting

[proggoddess]

During our birthing class at the hospital, the nurse mentioned that they do not allow anyone present in the room during the epidural. I guess they weren't kidding. Yikes.

Although during the birth, the nurse on duty said to me and DH "Oh, he can stay." But DH does not like needles anyway. He took a walk down to the cafeteria to get some dinner. It was a good time for him to take a break anyway.

[marinkitty]

It bothered me both times that our hospital's policy is that the DH must leave the room for the epidural insertion, but I guess there is good reason for that after all!

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03) and baby brother Jack (3.23.05)

[jasabo]

I completely agree, Shannon. But I'm not surprised that they're suing - seems to be a common occurance nowadays.

Lisa - mom to 2 yr old twin boys

[american_mama]

Why is the assumption that dads can't handle insertions of the epidural but can handle rupture of membranes, vaginal exams by strangers on their wives, baby's head crowning, suctioning, vaginal tears, episiotomies, stitching, and C sections? It doesn't make sense to me.

Maybe this is not an assumption at all, and the reality is that more dads get squeamish at the epidural insertion, but I'd like to know why.

[jubilee]

How horribly sad for that family. That baby will grow up knowing how their dad died because of their birth and I can't imagine how hard that would be to deal with. :( And the poor mom... my heart breaks for them.

[toomanystrollers]

Why are they suing? HE'S DEAD! What else is the wife suppose to do?

Our hospitals does not allow spouses/SO in the room during the epi procedure.

[jasabo]

>What else is the wife
>suppose to do?

Mourn her loss. Why does there have to be a lawsuit? The man fainted and fell. It was an accident, and a freak accident at that. Yes, it's sad. But, IMO, people need to start taking responsibility for their actions rather then suing anyone and everyone - and that's directed toward society in general, not just this family.

Lisa - mom to 2 yr old twin boys

[toomanystrollers]

Sure mourn her loss, mourn the fact that she'll be the sole provider, mourn the fact that maybe he didn't have life insurance - maybe just maybe, by filing a lawsuit, the hospital involved will rethink their policy when administering epidurals.

The hospital staff asked for the husband's assistance - therefore, I feel the hospital is definitely liable. He wasn't just standing there & keeled over.

[aliceinwonderland]

our hospital had no such policy but I know my DH and he freaks when something medical is done to DS or me. In our hospital, they have muffins and cookies and coffee in the hallway for the partners of those giving birth, so during the epi, I told DH, "Darling, why don't you go find the muffins" Everyone started laughing, as I had been in labor for a while by then (and, baby came shortly after, the epi did very little).

Even during the birth, DH was at my head at all times (my preference). My poor sister though, was there for the whole thing, I think she sort of delivered DS. I joke that she'll never get married and have babies of her own now...

e.

[VClute]

I, too, find it sad that the wife is suing. My husband was there for me when I got my epidural, and I'm so glad he was. I think its a shame that JUST as hospitals are getting on board with the whole including the father stuff, they're going to have to rethink that because of liability. And not just regarding epidurals, either. Birth (even messier and more shocking than an epidural insertion) will once again be considered a "surgical procedure" and they won't allow anyone but the "patient" and staff to be in the room.

There used to be a bumper sticker that read "sh-- happens." People don't seem to believe that anymore. Oh, yes - it still happends. But now people need to BLAME someone. Terrible, tragic things happen all the time, but it's not always someone's fault. It's JUST terrible and tragic.

This is why fewer and fewer talented people are pursuing medicine. Who wants to be held responsible for those things for which NO ONE is responsible?

Amy in NC
mom to Dixon, born 2/14/05

[bunnisa]

>This is why fewer and fewer talented people are pursuing
>medicine. Who wants to be held responsible for those things
>for which NO ONE is responsible?
>

Very true. And why so many doctors are getting out of childbirth entirely.

Bethany
mom to one and one on the way!
http://lilypie.com/days/060226/0/8/1/-6/.png

[Sarah1]

That's just what I was thinking!

What a horrible story. That's truly awful.

[Sarah1]

>This is why fewer and fewer talented people are pursuing
>medicine. Who wants to be held responsible for those things
>for which NO ONE is responsible?
>
Amy, you SO hit the nail on the head!