Search Results for: blog dealing with difficult hospital staff

Britney Spears Released From Hospital—Medical Staff Rejoices

So much for that 72-hour hold… Britney Spears has been released from Cedars-Sinai hospital. According to news reports, the smoldering trainwreck (who is reportedly still smoldering) left the Los Angeles medical facility Saturday with TV shrink and FOO (Friend of Oprah) Dr. Phil McGraw in tow. (More on his involvement in this mess later.) According to TMZ.com, hospital staff couldn’t be happier the pop wreck is gone considering the “hell” she put them through during her stay. (Hmmm… aren’t these medical professionals used to dealing with combative patients especially in the psych ward?) Sources tell TMZ the embattled singer spent … Continue reading →

The Pregnancy Blog Review April 11-21

A sick, cranky baby kept me from doing the week in review last week. If you are pregnant, you will soon know what this is like! I’ll combine the past two weeks into one review. April 11 Infertility Testing: The Post Coital Test discusses this common infertility test and what to expect if you need the test. April 13 How to Use a Home Doppler offers tips for learning to use a doppler to monitor your baby’s heart rate at home. Who Will Be Present at the Birth? offers some suggestions for choosing who will witness the birth of your … Continue reading →

Dealing with Difficult Hospital Staff

I’ve heard some horror stories recently about negative hospital staff in the labor and delivery room. I’ve also experienced some down right nasty nurses during the four times I’ve delivered babies. I was much more affected by attitude with my first baby than with my fourth. When a woman is in labor, she is vulnerable to negative or nasty nurses. A roll of the eyes or unkind statement can really affect the confidence the woman feels in labor or as a new mother. A family friend was told by a nurse that she was being “too loud” during labor. She … Continue reading →

It’s Hard to Find Health Care Without Health Insurance

My experiences today are a good example of what millions of uninsured Americans are dealing with. I believe I have a sinus infection, and wanted to be seen by a doctor. I don’t have health insurance. As a result, I ended up calling several places before I could get an appointment, (and no one would tell me what the visit to the doctor will cost me). I am someone who has severe, chronic, allergies, (to food, to environmental allergens, to animals, and to a variety of substances that can make my skin break out in hives). Many of the people … Continue reading →

Coping Strategies for Transition

Transition is the end of active labor. During this phase, your cervix will dilate from 8 to 10 inches. At the end of transition, you will begin to deliver your baby. This is the most intense part of labor and it is the one that pregnant women tend to fear the most. You can prepare for this phase of labor to reduce fear and add a few coping strategies to your repertoire. During transition, the contractions are much stronger than earlier in the labor. The contractions come about every two minutes and last one minute, so you don’t get the … Continue reading →

When Your Newborn Has Special Needs

The days surrounding your baby’s birth should be full of joy and excitement. Yet when your newborn has a medical problem, or is at risk for developing a disease or disorder, those joyous feelings are often replaced with fear, sorrow, and even disappointment. You might learn that your baby will not be able to come home from the hospital as soon as you hoped. Your newborn might be covered with tubes and probes, instead of being the healthy cherubic infant you imagined. He or she might be kept under special care in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) or face … Continue reading →

Sometimes You Need to Stand up to Medical Professionals

The day that I gave birth to my son was the happiest day of my life. It was not fun nor easy, but when I finally got to hold the little guy in my arms, it could not compare to any other moment. Every other thing paled in comparison, and the only other thing that could possibly compare would be if I ever have another child. (Which Jonathan is ready for and has been telling me for over a month and a half that I need to get married so he can have a brother or sister.) My son loves … Continue reading →

Videotaping the Birth of Your Baby

Video taping the birth of your baby can be a wonderful memento of the big day. You will be able to share the memories of your baby’s birth for years to come. An added benefit is that the tape can be shared with your baby as he or she gets older and naturally begins to ask questions about the birth. Talk to your doctor if you want to video tape the baby’s birth. Some doctors and hospitals have a policy against video cameras in the delivery room. In this age of lawsuits, doctors fear that tapes can later be used … Continue reading →

The Stigma of being a Mental Health Patient

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As if it isn’t bad enough to be besieged by depression, bipolar disorder or any number of conditions that may land you in a medical facility for a period of time, there is the added stigma you as a patient may receive from family members, neighbors, acquaintances, even your work colleagues. While most hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from mental and emotional complaints, the topic is still generally not talked about and many people are reluctant to admit to suffering from a mental disorder of some description. However, when the relevant condition deteriorates such that the sufferer is … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Family in the Delivery Room

At some point in your pregnancy, you will need to decide who will be joining you in the delivery room. Some women like a lot of support and believe birth is a family event that should be shared. Women with this belief like more than just their partners in the room. There are some benefits to having family present in the delivery room. If you are the kind of person who draws support from family and close friends, you may like company during labor. Giving birth surrounded by love and support can be a beautiful way to welcome a baby … Continue reading →