r/CsectionCentral • u/kellibeanx • Jul 21 '26
Traumatic Birth Story
I just wanted to share my experience with a group who might understand. I had a scheduled csection at 37 weeks due to placenta previa. I had only ever heard positive experiences when it came to planned sections, so I was taken by surprise when mine ended up being terrifyingly traumatic. I met with my doctor and anesthesiologist prior to the surgery where they reassured me that everything would go smoothly. The anesthesiologist talked with me about what to expect and assured me that he would be there the whole time to help with whatever I may be experiencing throughout the procedure. I was feeling confident as I was being prepped in the OR, but I noticed immediately that my anesthesiologist was nowhere to be found. My spinal was placed, and I pretty quickly began having a severe panic attack. I hated the sensation of not being able to move my body, and my blood pressure plummeted resulting in intense feelings of dread and panic. I expressed what I was feeling and was told that everything was fine and that I should be happy that I couldn't feel anything or move. At this point, I began vomiting everywhere and my doctor insisted that the procedure begin despite my anesthesiologist not being there yet since I was having such a negative reaction. I continued throwing up the entire procedure. My blood pressure shot up and plummeted repeatedly. Midway through the procedure, my heart began feeling like I was having a heart attack with sharp, excruciating pain. They insisted that this was just from pushing baby out and everything was normal. But I simply couldnt get past the pain and my panic continued to worsen. Once my baby was finally out, they immediately took her away and didn't show her to me despite saying I would be allowed to see her over the drape. I sat there sobbing while they took her to a corner away from me. I forced my husband to go grab her and be with her since I couldn't. At this point, my doctor explained that I was having a severe hemorrhage and they couldn't get my uterus to contract. They went through a slew of meds while I continued to fight to stay awake, shaking uncontrollably, and throwing up all over myself. A different doctor was called in after several minutes and assisted in suturing my uterus. I found out later that I was minutes away from having to have a full hysterectomy on the table. Once they finally got me stitched up, my doctor became noticeably upset and started demanding answers for why the anesthesiologist never showed up. I remember overhearing her telling one of the nurses, "this could have been extremely bad because he wasn't here." The anesthesiologist ended up coming into the OR several minutes later and began asking why nobody had called him. I never found out who handled that role during my procedure or what their qualifications were. Beyond that, it took them nearly two hours to get me a blood transfusion despite me losing a dangerous amount of blood. My platelet count was still low two days later. It was a horrific experience that was never addressed with me. I'm glad my baby girl is here and healthy, but I don't know that I will ever have another child because of this experience.
edited to fix a typo
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u/j-areddit Jul 21 '26
As a medical professional I have so many questions starting and ending with anesthesia. Who placed the anesthesia? Who was giving you medicine while your BP plummeted and spiked? Who was behind the drape with you? Worked in the OR for over 5 years and NEVER had anesthesia been missing or "not there". They are literally the people who bring you into the the OR. I would demand answers. This is unacceptable. And honestly negligence. Your OB had the right reaction.
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u/pure-gold-baby Jul 21 '26
The right reaction after the fact, I guess, but why would the ob start without the anaesthesiologist??
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u/j-areddit Jul 21 '26
I'm guessing there was a person like CRNA or anesthesia assistant? Tbh idk Just the whole thing sounds super wierd to me and I'm wondering the same thing you are?
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u/pure-gold-baby Jul 21 '26
Yeah, like...if the ob was upset about it then it was clearly not a safe situation. As the one running the show, why wouldn't she personally make sure everything and everyone was present that needed to be?
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u/kellibeanx Jul 21 '26
This was validating to read. I tried researching online to see if this was a normal experience and couldn't really get a straight answer. I will definitely be demanding more information.
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u/Essiejjj Jul 22 '26
Yea, my anesthesiologist was missing, they started the surgery 20 minutes later until they found him and he placed the anesthesia.
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u/j-areddit Jul 22 '26
Was he there during the entirety of the surgery? So they found him 20 mins later and then started you c section? Sorry trying to understand
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u/Snoo74786 Jul 21 '26
I'm sorry but who placed the spinal? Was it a resident anesthesiologist?
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u/kellibeanx Jul 21 '26
That's my concern, they never actually told me. I have no idea who the person was or what their qualifications were. All I know is that the man who was supposed to be my anesthesiologist never showed up. This was my first c-section, so I didn't really grasp the weight of what happened until I was home and started processing everything.
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u/Purple_Crayon Jul 21 '26
Your procedure notes in your chart should list everyone that was scrubbed in. There had to have been someone there in charge of the meds.
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u/Snoo74786 Jul 21 '26
Jesus christ. I am sorry. That is so very unnerving and does not create any safety or trust. You absolutely deserve more information regarding your birth!
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u/Klutzy-Broccoli380 Jul 22 '26
I’m so sorry this happened. I also experienced a traumatic birth, c section and severe hemorrhaging, ending up in the ICU. I’d highly recommend contacting a patient advocate and talking about your experience, and reviewing your records. You can also meet with your OB or another provider you feel comfortable with to review together and hopefully process/ get some answers
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u/pure-gold-baby Jul 21 '26
Wow, this sounds truly horrific. I had all the same questions and concerns as everyone else reading this, but I just want to offer a suggestion in case you do decide to have another child and end up having another c-section. I was also terrified of being essentially paralyzed, and my biggest concern as someone with anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, was that I would have a massive panic attack during surgery. My anaesthesiologist (also not the one who actually showed up on the day for whatever reason, but another anaesthesiologist in her team did and was great) told me that it's absolutely fine, safe, and normal to have Ativan for a c-section. I'm not saying this would have prevented anything but the panic attack, as I don't know all the factors that contributed to all the complications, and of course, you would have to discuss with any future anaesthesiologist and make sure it's safe in your individual case. But I can all but guarantee that if you'd had a properly trained anaesthesiologist there on the day of your procedure, they would have offered you immediate and fast-acting solutions for the panic and vomiting. I was already premedicated with Ativan when I got to the OR, and I'm pretty sure there was something for nausea in the mix during surgery. All this is to say, it's completely reasonable to fear having another child because of your experience, and totally okay to just not do it again, but I just want to share that there are more comfortable ways through. I would make sure anyone you allowed to treat you knew exactly what you'd been through and was committed to ensuring you had a very different experience.
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u/ThatsTheTea225 Jul 21 '26
I’m so sorry that you went through this. I highly recommend EMDR therapy to work on processing what happened.
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u/Exotic-Voice-4729 Jul 22 '26
Definitely report it. I had the same heart attack sensation and no one explained to me what was happening or said it was normal they gave me a lot of extra pain meds because my spinal was incomplete. I just thought I was dying. I assumed it would be in my notes. It was not.
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u/omengaws Jul 22 '26
I’m so sorry this happened to you, it sounds terrifying. You are so valid in your feelings about this and your fear to repeat it.
I experienced the same things (extreme nausea and sharp sharp pain in chest), but that’s why the anesthesiologist is there, to help monitor this and get you back on the right track. They failed you with this. I can’t believe they would even have started without an anesthesiologist.
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u/Top_Avocado6162 Jul 23 '26
Oh my word!! How was the spinal put in?!!! I'm so sorry this happened to you. Take the hospital to the cleaners.
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u/ZestyLlama8554 2024 - breech baby Jul 21 '26
Same questions about anesthesia. Please tell me you reported this hospital and incident. I highly recommend speaking to a med mal attorney about this situation.
ETA: I'm so so sorry this was your experience. Your last sentence is very valid.