Two Labours, One Birth and no compassion for first time parents

Two Labours, One Birth and no compassion for first time parents

COMPLAINT ABOUT TREATMENT OF NATASHIA AND DARRYN LIPMAN AT CLINTON HOSPITAL 17 -18 JUNE 2020

My name is Natashia Lipman. I was admitted to Clinton Hospital on 17th June 2020 for the birth of my first child. I had consulted with Dr Yershini Moodley, a gynecologist, and had agreed that a natural birth was the best way forward. We had developed a rapport with her, confirmed by her recommendation of a natural birth. When I had come to the 39th week of my pregnancy, Dr Moodley advised that we should consider inducing. She recommended a physical check up to assess how far the cervix had dilated. However, the physical was extremely uncomfortable and she could not complete it. She then started talking about the Caesarean Section but said the decision was up to us. However, she did share several scary scenarios about natural birth, such as defects it can cause the baby. This stressed me completely, as it hadn’t been brought up before. I had done my own research before the birth, discussing it with family members and research on the internet and the majority of advice was to go for a natural birth. At this relatively late stage, with the birth pretty imminent, I was then being pressured to choose a Caesarean. Dr Moodley commented she didn’t want to deliver a stillborn baby, which made me anxious. After having had an untroubled pregnancy up to this stage, I became rather confused and scared. By the 41st week, Dr Moodley suggested we go into the hospital and get induced, This was Tuesday, 16th June 2020. The nurses gave me as exam and monitored the baby’s heart rate. They then called Dr Moodley to find out what she advised as the baby was in good health and there hadn’t been any issues at any of my appointments and that I was healthy enough to have a natural birth. Dr Moodley eventually came to see me at around 11am, despite the nurses having advised me that she would see me early between 7-8am. I had arranged for my husband (Darryn) to come in early as he had had his Covid-19 test and proved negative. He was told that he could only see me when the gynecologist was there. So he ended up sitting in his car from 8am to 11am. The nurses refused to allow me meals as they were preparing for C Section, without my consent. Dr Moodley said she wanted to speak to me privately before talking with both of us and recommended I have a Caesarean. Only then was Darryn allowed in to see me. That discussion ended with us making it clear we wanted a natural birth. However, we agreed to inducing the birth and that if there were any complications for either our baby or me then we would opt for Caesarean. Dr Moodley scheduled to induce me at 9pm that night because I would then be ready to give birth the next morning when she was back at the hospital. She then left with Busi, a nurse. Magda van Wyk, the head sister then came to visit and she scolded Darryn for his interaction with Dr Moodley. She didn’t know our history but lectured us like children. Darryn took this in good spirits and forbearance. Sister Van Wyk said Darryn was allowed to be with me during labour whether he had a Covid-19 test or not. She also told us that his Covid-19 test was only valid for 72 hours and we needed to check whether he would need to have another test because the natural birth may delay the timings. Few days before this I had called the hospital and spoke to sister Van Wyk, I made her aware that I was recording her, and she advised that the Covid test was valid for a week. So the inducement ended up starting at midnight on June 17th. For the whole of the morning of 18th June 2020 I suffered unspeakable pain. This was my first time in a hospital in my life and I was in incredible pain. I begged for an epidural and was told I would have to wait until I had dilated 4cm. At around 1pm, as far as I can recall, I begged a nurse to remove the tampon with the induction medication because I was in agony and could no longer bear the pain. I had had no food and was feeling very sorry for myself. Eventually, the nurse removed the tampon and then my waters broke and things began to happen naturally. My mucous plug also came out. Somewhere before 3pm and 4pm I received an epidural. Darryn had still not been allowed in to see me while I was in the delivery room and in active labour. Dr Moodley examined me and found I had dilated by 6cm. She told me that there had been no progress and that the baby’s head was not moving down into position. She then recommended a Caesarean. At this point, I was exhausted by the pain, duration of the labour and lack of sustenance. I agreed to the Cesarean so I could get to see my baby. They immediately brought in forms that must have been pre-prepared. While they were getting me to sign the paperwork, Sister van Wyk was yelling at Darryn to go home and that he can’t be present for the birth of his child. The nurses then prepared me for the Cesarean and gave me a top-up epidural. Dr Moodley then called for Darryn to be allowed into the operating theater. I suspect they had deliberately kept Darryn out of the delivery room until I had agreed to the Cesarean. Darryn, present in the delivery room observed that the baby had dropped in the birth canal, at which point it was too late to have a natural birth and the Cesarean cut was made but lower down the abdomen. Darryn questions: why two labours and one birth..and a few other pertinent questions.. if it was emergency Cesarean why did we have to wait so long. Moreover, our new born baby was given to Darryn to be fed with formula, posing another question: why wasn't the baby given to me so he could latch on and I could breastfeed him. I would also like to point out that the anesthesiologist, Dr Andre Ebersohn, was not around in time to give me an epidural and had an appalling bedside manner and was very rude to Darryn who was on the phone to me trying to find out what was happening. So, what should have been one of the best experiences of my life turned out to be something of a nightmare. While I was at my most vulnerable point because of pain, tiredness and lack of nourishment, I had to deal with brusque and rude medical staff who seemed intent on me having a C-Section despite my avowed intention to have a natural birth. And for enduring this torture, I have the dubious pleasure of forking out thousands of Rands. I strongly feel that everything in the hospital was geared to pressuring me into having a C-Section. I want to also add that I was released a day later, I was still in pain and made to walk to reception to pay for my medication and then walk back to maternity ward to collect my bags and baby, the sister on duty did not care for my well being, there was no wheelchair to assist me out. Two sisters saw I was in distress and in tears, they helped me with my bags and baby. To conclude, the night just giving birth, Dr Moodley commented that 'you should have listened to the professionals'. There was a lack of kindness and time and compassion from staff at Clinton Hospital. What should have been one of the most happiest moments our lives turned into anguish. I'm happy to say our baby boy is happy and healthy. However, Darryn and I would have peace if we didn't at least voice our concerns about the dismal care and after, during my pregnancy.