And I Have to Deliver a Baby with These People?

Yesterday afternoon I awoke from a nap with a temperature of 101.7. I took some more Tylenol, called the women's center, and was told, "The doctor here said to go to the ER." I emailed mister mrtl and asked if there was any way he could come home so I could go without Bug. He was able (and I totally owe the poor schmuck who covered for him some cookies). This was around 2.

I got to the ER around 3, checked in, and waited a little while for the triage guy to take my vitals and do a quick interview. By then the Tylenol had kicked in, and my temperature was 100.2. The triage guy asked me why I felt it necessary to come to the ER. I told him what was going on, that I am pregnant, and followed it with, "The women's center told me to come here." He said very condescendingly, "It was like, 'If you feel it necessary to be seen, go to the ER,' right?" "No, it was, "The doctor here said, 'Go to the ER.'" Jackass.

Twice during my 3 1/2-hour wait I was called, just to see if I was still [patient enough to wait for their asses] there. The second time I was even told that I was next, but others who were also waiting at the time ended up being called back before me. When they finally called me back, my temperature had dropped to normal. Fetal heartbeat was fine. Strep test done. I was then left in that room, draped in a thin gown and a sheet, freezing from the chills I was still having, for almost an hour. It was then they told me there was nothing to do but go home and take Tylenol.

So for my 5 1/2 hours (1/2 hour trip each way plus 4 1/2 hours there), I got no more than 10 minutes of care. They sent me home with a bunch of literature and the directions to continue taking Tylenol and to check in with the women's center on Monday. Fuckers.

The doctor who came in while I was in the room also asked me why I was there. "The women's center told me to come" apparently wasn't a suitable reason for them. Ok, so I lied. I enjoy putting my husband through the stress of rearranging work to come home early, so I can escape for 5 1/2 hours when I could be resting comfortably at home. I'd much rather inconvenience the understaffed ER than continue to treat my symptoms easily at home and wait till Monday to see my doctor.

WTF? Why does the women's center have policies (go to ER for temp of 100.4 if under 20 weeks pregnant) that aren't on the same page with how the emergency room operates? If a high temperature this early in pregnancy is such a major concern, why did I have to wait so long to be assured that all was all right with the baby? I'll be talking to the patient advocate and the women's center on Monday. This shit ain't right.

Comments

[LadyBug]

No, that shit ain't right at all. But then again, is this the same group of people that wouldn't even wrap your damn toe last week? Jerks.

You didn't mention how you're feeling today?

[mrtl]

LadyBug - None of the same people, which is kinda scarier.

Today? meh. The temperature didn't get as high, so the annoying chills and stiffness are gone. I still feel crappy, though. Throat is really sore and there's no appetite. I wouldn't be surprised if I lose weight -- doctor's not going to be happy about that Thursday at my check up.

[Mama Duck]

I'm sorry to hear you're still feeling shitty.

Yeah, ummmm, there seems to be a lot of that "not being on the same page" thing going on in the world lately.

I'm just saying.

Nothing more frustrating though than disrupting your entire family's schedule for condescending. people to talk to you like you're some kind of moron.

[MrsDoF]

I don't want to scare you, but do bring this flu thing up with your obstetrician. I seem to recall about a year ago reading a study about a connection for mom having flu with fever while pregnant to the baby having brain troubles as an adult. Chances are next to zero, but document it with the doctor.

[Susie]

I feel like kicking triage guy's condescending ass. I wish you'd send a copy of this post to the ER and the Women's Center. That shit ain't right. And when you're sick AND pregnant, that shit is just wrong.

[mrtl]

Mama Duck - You're absolutely right.

MrsDoF - The temperature has been well managed with Tylenol, and I'll be checking in with the women's center on Monday. If there's a bigger issue/connection between flu and pregnancy, the idiots in the ER didn't know that, and that scares me.

Susie - I'm planning to file a complaint with the patient advocate on Monday about this; that's what they're there for. I will get in for a check up with the ob/gyn, especially since I don't feel the ER was very thorough.

[The Anti-Stalker]

Why don't you answer my emails? Wah!

[mrtl]

Haven't checked that account, Bug. Will do now.

[RazDreams]

um, yes? hello. um, with whom do i have to make out to get me one of those darned "mrtland distinguished visitors" banners?! i even said, "with whom." what more do you people want?!?!?!

[RazDreams]

p.s. mrtl and anti-stalker are so darned cute. makes me smile. feel better, grrrl. ooops! i mean "woman." woman. send those peoples' superiors mean letters and tell them they suck. the end.

[mrtl]

Raz - I've big plans for the next round of banners. Since Bug's still asleep, maybe I'll take a moment to redesign it (vertical this time). I've done something productive for the house already, so I won't feel so bad about that.

And yes, I agree. They suck.

[Bente]

Man, that's NOT right. What is going on with ER's? Sheila from "don't take any wooden nickels" had a horrible experience with the service at the one in Halifax recently too. Argh.

[mrtl]

Bente - In Nova Scotia? Say it ain't so!

[eclectic]

Yeesh. Reminds me of an ER horror story in Sandpoint, Idaho. Still too pissed to blog it. Keep feeling better, Mrtl.

[mrtl]

eclectic - tease.

[Nanina]

I hate going to the ER for this very reason. How you were treated was not right, I am glad you are planning to file a complaint with the patient advocate.

[mrtl]

Nanina - It's entirely possible that the women's center has made their concerns clear, but it takes complaints from patients to make things happen. It was that way when I was teaching at least. Parents complaining to the teachers got nowhere, because the administration never listened to teachers.

[Andrea]

Once I had a bad reaction to an antibiotic (something with nitrates, which apparently does not like me) and broke out in a rash. On Thanksgiving. So, while I know they were understaffed, does that mean I have to sit in the waiting room of the ER for three freaking hours without anyone even checking to make sure I haven't gone into anaphylactic shock?

I have other ER horror stories, though I have a few good ones too, like the time I went in while I was miscarrying and was lucky enough to get a kind, gentle, sympathetic woman doctor. That's the ER I tend to go to if we need to, even though it's a half hour away (compared to five minutes for the other one) unless it's absolutely life or death.

[mrtl]

Andrea - I can only imagine the horror of having an emotionally charged issue and getting crappy care. Sounds like you lucked out in that case.

There was a lady there with me the other night with some sort of allergic reaction. I was behind her in line checking in, and she did say something about shortness of breath. It didn't get her in any quicker (maybe 20 minutes before me).

[suburban misfit]

I hope you're angry with the ER and not the Women's Center. They were totally correct in sending you to the ER. The ER people clearly are not up-to-date with febrile dangers for pregnant women and I would complain my ass off if I were you.

My OB always sent me to the hospital where I was to deliver, whenever I had an emergency situation. I would go to the ER there and they'd send me straight up to Maternity. That hospital was a 25 minute drive away, while the closest one is a five-minute drive away. But the care I received was stellar and totally appropriate to the pregnancy.

I hope you get satisfaction from them.

(And WOOT! I get a badge!)

[mrtl]

misfit - Absolutely! There's a huge disconnect between the two, and that needs to be straightened out.

[Grace]

What a horrible experience! I hope you feel better soon and none of these people will be on duty when you have your baby! Bastards! I had a friend who went to the hospital in preterm labor and all the nurses could talk about was how disrespectful it was of pregnant women not to shave their legs for the sake of the nurses. WTF is wrong with people?

[mrtl]

Grace - You're kidding! Man, if I were a nurse, I'd bitch about unruly Einsteins before unshaved legs.