Hospitals should quit alienating pregnant health care consumers

When Barbara (name changed) recently underwent her fourth Cesarean section, she was appalled by the care she received during her recovery.  Her catheter overflowed, and a CNA asked her to check her own incision.  When the CNA asked if she was breastfeeding her baby, Barbara replied tearfully that she couldn’t lift her out the bassinette.  Rooming-in is a great idea. Unless you’ve had a 36-hour labor or major abdominal surgery. Pregnant women are vital health care consumers as they usually have a partner and one or more children who will presumably be accessing care in the future. However, many pregnant women still experience paternalistic attitudes when they come into the hospital. “A birth plan?” a staff member might say sarcastically, “Well, that’s a guaranteed C-section!”  Refusing eye ointment for your baby because you’ve been married for 15 years? That will buy you a visit from division of family services. In the hospital to deliver a child, they themselves can be treated like a child who has to be told what to do. Pregnant women are routinely given non-evidence based instructions, often issued curtly in the middle of a contraction. “You can’t VBAC.” “You can’t eat in labor.” “You have to be on continuous monitoring.” “If you haven’t dilated in 2 hours, you’re getting a C-section.” Last time I checked, pregnancy does not preclude a woman from making her own medical decisions or from declining non-essential interventions. Contin...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Hospital OB/GYN Source Type: blogs