I had an emergency c-section Sept.22, 2002. My son was premature-1 month early. My doctor was not available.
I went into the hospital with labor pains. My baby was horizontal and doctors tried to turn him between contractions. He lost his breathing momentarily and doctors suggested c-section. I have had 2 previous deliveries with no complications...but never a c-section. I was terrified. The nurse asked me if I would like to have my "tubes tied". I told her my husband and I had not discussed it enough and I declined. However, she asked me to sign a consent form for the tubal and an extra one if later needed and I'm not able to sign.
When I was prepped and awaiting the surgery, a second physician enters the room and is extremely upset that he was called in to help with the surgery. My husband and I were slightly offended of course, and pretty nervous of course. My son was delivered fine, the doctors asked, "are you planning on having a tubal? My husband said that we didn't discuss it enough and we weren't sure. We were told, "you really need to go ahead and have them tied since you now have 3 children. If you decide not to at this time, you will have to come back and be cut again." After hearing this we told him if he thought it was best.
I went home that Wednesday and by Friday, I knew I was infected. There was an odor that I believed was from the cut or catheter. I called my doctor and he prescribed an antibiotic, but never asked me to come in. It seemed to help some and since I had never had a c-section or a tubal...I thought it was from one or both of the two.
That was the least of the problems, I was severly depressed. I asked the doctor to tell me what was wrong and he said it was part of post partum. I never was depressed before. They gave me several samples of Zoloft and said it would pass. When I went in for the postpartum checkup, my doctor said I had an infection. He also was unaware that I had a tubal. I explained to him how I was convinced to do so, with him knowing we had never discussed that as birthcontrol method. He sounded surprised but said, it was probably best because I had 3 children already. I was so very disappointed. I truly care about what my doctor thinks of me and if "he" said it...then I must be crazy for feeling like I would have liked to have more. My doctor tested me and said he thought I had an STD. How? My husband and I hadn't started with intercourse. He put me antiobiotics that were so strong and took so long, I had to stop breastfeeding. This hurt me badly. I spiraled even deeper into the depression. I went back to my doctor because I was having severe pain, and I read fromt the lab report that, I didn't have an STD. It wass negative. I was angry because, my baby, didnt'have the breast milk we wanted for him because I was supposed to be being treated for a STD. My doctor told me I had developed a tumor. Later, I was told the tumor was gone. The same day, I called back and was told the tumor was there, plus a bigger one! I called again and was told I had adenomyosis. The nurse explained to me what it was. Wait! I thought. I'm still depressed and can't function because of a tubal I had that I didn't want. And it had nothing to do with them "tying my tubes". They castrated me! I don't feel worth anything. I cry all the time. When I talk to my doctor, I feel there is no hope. He doesnt wan tto hear that I didnt' want the tubal, even though he wasn't there, even though he knows we didn't have the consultation, even though I feel like I"m dying inside. Even though I can't walk for weeks at a time. I If you know of a lawyer in the Dallas area...or someone I can talk to so that other women won't be forced to make ANY decision like that while they are lying on the operating room table, please, I beg you to email me. With love, Nicole
-- Trying To Accept the Pain, Nicole