When we went into triage last week the nurse who checked us out, well I don't want to get into it because I know it's upsetting for some but she started talking to me about baby loss. As if that wasn't always on my mind. At that point I thought that was uncalled for and when I told my doctor he was floored.
The nurses in L&D were great, they listened to my requests and answered all of my questions. If I pushed the button they were in very fast. After A was born they were all about letting me hold her and getting as much skin to skin and breastfeeding time as I wanted before they took her for her vitals and stuff.
My first nurse in recovery was great too, I'm glad I had the good one first because she had to help me use the bathroom and get me fitted into my sexy mesh undergarments. After her shift was over it went down hill.
The day nurse that came on had an accent so thick that she had to repeat almost everything she said, I think that annoyed her because she stopped coming in really. I asked for information about Group B Strep because I was positive and I wanted to know if there was anything specific that I had to look for, I asked her 4 times and she finally brought them in. Later when she was in asking about TC's feeding schedule and I told her the last time I tried she wasn't into it and just wanted to sleep. The nurse then asked if I was planning on supplementing with formula and I said no and she acted shocked and concerned "you're not?!". She knows I plan to breast feed and I think she should have been more supportive of that and offered a lactation consultant before a bottle. Had this been my first time and I was feeling bad about A's hesitation to eat I would have been very flustered and who knows what I would have done. (No I don't think formula is poison but choosing to breastfeed and sticking to it is hard and if that is what one wants to do they need as much encouragement as possible).
Because this nurse was so frustrating I decided that I would be leaving that night, I would be alright to go when A hit 24 hours at 7:51. This nurse knew all day that this was my plan. The baby still needed her genetic testing and I needed my DTaP... I made sure several times that we would be good to leave at 8 and she said yes. The shift change happened at 7 and we were there, waiting. Finally my new nurse came in and I again asked about our discharge and reminded her of everything that we needed done. This woman was even worse, I asked her to repeat what she was saying a few times and later decided that I would never understand her so I gave up and just did the nod and smile thing.
At 8 she took A for her testing after I finally got my shot. Then she got my paperwork together and started signing me out. I asked if I would get anything with information about my birth and A, the regular hospital discharge stuff that I got with TC and after every ER visit I've had. She said no I don't need any of that. I told her I did for my Aflac paperwork but she said they don't give that out. Well today when I got the A's first appointment I was asked for it - they seemed annoyed that I didn't have it but I assured them I asked for it. The doctor today had no information about my baby.
Finally I have to bitch about my doctor today. She told me that I need to "step it up" on breast feeding because A's weight was down 10oz. I haven't gotten more than 3 hours of sleep a night because I am up all night feeding and I feed on demand all day. I am perfectly fine with the dip in weight that she's had, and when TC had a similar dip everyone assured me she was fine. This doctor wants me to wake her to feed every 2 hours. Nope, that's not going to happen - waking a baby just to have her scream and not want to feed isn't going to help anyone. She's making me come back on Thursday to have her weighed. Once these appointments are done I will be switching doctors. Tell me to step it up, F you lady. Once again, a less experienced breastfeeder may have been discouraged.
The good news is that you aren't stuck with a doctor, you have a choice. We will bring A to the clinic on post, if the medics doing vitals stink like smoke I will speak up about that too. Just a friendly PSA for others unhappy with their medical care remember that doctors work for you, while you may not write a check directly but your insurance does.
And for fun here's a picture of my girls.
1 comments:
First of all the girls are both beautiful. Sorry to hear about all the issues with your Dr. and such. Glad you are being your own advocate though and taking matters into your hands. Too many people forget they have the right to choose and to change Dr. Good for you!!
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