The rudest night of my life began about 9:30 when I shooed my company out the door because I thought I might be in labor. Sure enough, I was having contractions. They began to be pretty steady so out the door my husband and I went. It took a while, but finally we made it to the labor suite. Finally, someone paid attention to me. Then, I was told to go HOME that is wasn’t time yet. Trust me it is not a very good idea to tell someone in labor and 42 weeks pregnant to go HOME.
So, the humor the staff, I got dressed. But I had no intention of going home. I asked my husband to get me a glass of water. Then I marched up to the nursing station and stood there with my water. Then I said very loudly, “We have a disagreement here. I am not going home, because I know I am in labor. So, I am going stand right here and contract, and you all let me know when you think I am really in labor. I have got time.” I sort of left the staff speechless. I don’t think they had ever had a patient say no. Little did I know that an obstetrician had heard the whole incident, and when the staff finally said something, he told them to be quiet. He asked how far along I was and to let him know when I had a contraction. I did, and about 1/4 of the way through it, he told the nurses: “Admit her now. She is in hard labor.” The staff was needless to say not to friendly to me, but after the shift changed, it was better. My son was born at 0530. I was actually ready to deliver at 1:30 am, but the kid was mispositioned, and came out face up instead of face down. My son also had a short cord, and if I had gone home, he might have died. Sometimes being rude pays off.
You would think my next birth would go smoothly, but no. I rolled in to the labor suite about 0530 am this time. Guess what, I was sent home again. Again, I was 42 weeks along. I was just about to really let them have it, when someone said, “Oh I see your doctor put you on the list for possible induction today. I guess you can stay.” Gee, thanks. Have you ever been ignored in the labor suite? Yep, that was me. No drugs (wanted after bad experience with No. 1 son), no nothing. Was it my fault they had a lady having a crash C-section with twins? Talk about timing. After an hour or so, someone finally paid attention, looked once, and off to the delivery room we went. Son no. 2 was born at 0630. I was absolutely the maddest new mother you have ever seen. I was yelling at people, yelling at labor pain, and kept right on going after the baby was delivered. “Well you just got here.” So what. My son almost just dropped on the floor. I didn’t blame the doctor, he really was busy. But gosh, don’t you think someone should have looked after me? Anyway, I guess my point got across because I received an apology from several high management people.
I am sure that the hospital was glad I only was blessed with two sons.
