Placed in maternity ward after surgery ~ any thoughts?

Hi,

I had my surgery on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. I am dealing with a lot of dizziness and nausea and having trouble keeping food down. But I am trying to remain in good spirits. My mother-in-law had this done and I feel so much better when she comes over because we talk about stuff that is of no relation and I forget all about the pain I am in.

One problem that I did have was that I had my surgery and was placed in the maternity ward afterward. It was very difficult to hear little babies crying at night. I wonder if there is a way to find supporters to put together baskets for women who have to have this done and also if there is a way to find supporters to fund a wing in the hospital where these women don't have to hear other mother's giving birth and enjoying their new born children, not that I don't love kids, but I was not allowed to see my family and I knew that I would never have any more following Wednesday and so it made things more difficult because I had to hear it. I also heard it from the room service and house cleaning staff, who asked every time they entered, "Where is your baby?"

Any thoughts????

rrichmond05

	Quote:
Originally Posted by rrichmond05 Hi, I had my surgery on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. I am dealing with a lot of dizziness and nausea and having trouble keeping food down. But I am trying to remain in good spirits. My mother-in-law had this done and I feel so much better when she comes over because we talk about stuff that is of no relation and I forget all about the pain I am in. One problem that I did have was that I had my surgery and was placed in the maternity ward afterward. It was very difficult to hear little babies crying at night. I wonder if there is a way to find supporters to put together baskets for women who have to have this done and also if there is a way to find supporters to fund a wing in the hospital where these women don't have to hear other mother's giving birth and enjoying their new born children, not that I don't love kids, but I was not allowed to see my family and I knew that I would never have any more following Wednesday and so it made things more difficult because I had to hear it. I also heard it from the room service and house cleaning staff, who asked every time they entered, "Where is your baby?" Any thoughts???? rrichmond05

Yes, what about those women who will not be able to give birth (but can still be mothers through adoption)?? Are they supposed to sit and listen to that? That would be awful. I was not in a postpartum area after my surgery.

That just seems cruel. When you're feeling well enough, write a letter to the hospital asking them why this happened. it might have been a one off, in which case an apology might be in order. If not, then someone definately needs to be aware of this. I was happy to have my hysterectomy, and had completed my family, even so, I would have found that upsetting.

I was in the Women's pavillion after I had my hysterectomy, it was a really comfortable place and the nurses were very educated on what exactly I was going through. There were babies on the floor, but I would not have known unless my mom wouldn't have mentioned it. I can certainly understand why that would be difficult if I would have been wanting more children or wasn't able to have them at all.. or just going through the emotions and loss of having to have a hysterectomy, it is sad so many women have to go to such drastic measures.. I am appalled about the housekeeping, that is so out of place!!

However, I had to be hospitalized two more times after my initial surgery. The second time I was on a med-surg floor and they were not sensitive to my needs or what I was going through... They wouldn't even let me shower without doctors orders.. waited for pain meds for a couple of hours, anti-nausea meds for a couple of hours too.. My doctor even said that she would have some one stay with me at all times on the med surg floor to "protect" me.. The doctor ordered a clean urine sample with a straight cath and the nurses couldn't do it.. They tried three times and couldn't get it done, meanwhile making me incredibly uncomfortable. The third hospitalization I requested to be back at the Women's pavillion because of my last experience on the med-surg floor..

So I don't know if my second experience is a typical experience on a floor where the nurses treat both men and women or if it was an isolated circumstance.. Either way it is a hard surgery to come to terms with and the nurses, doctors, housekeeping should be very cognizant of all emotional, spiritual, and physical consequences and how their actions can make a huge impact, negative and positive... Best of luck with your recovery!!

That sounds terrible. They need to rethink what they are doing. I can not imagine how I would have felt. I have to say I would have been such a pain that they would be moving me IMMEDIATELY just to shut me up. That is so thoughtless and horrible. I would complain to the hospital. They have to have a place where you can recover without being in the maternity ward. I don't know what they were thinking but you need to let them know how distressing this was to you. It is amazing that it wouldn't have occurred to anyone not to do this. I hope you are healing and feeling better. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers.

I was in a surgical ward, 4 beds. A 96 year old lady with bladder surgery, a man with stones and a lady with an ectopic pregnancy. We were all treated with compassion, and as much as possible in an over worked system, they came to our aid. That beiong said, I couldn't wait to get home and was discharged 2 days after my TAH. I needed sleep, and that was near on impossible in hospital!

I am so sorry to hear this. That is very very insensitive of them to place you there.

I was placed in a ward with 3 elderly gentlemen, two of whom were very sick, infact one was told right there in front of me that they wouldn't be able to do anymore to help him. It really bothered me and I became agitated. I was unable to sleep as I lay there and wondered how that poor gentleman felt.
It seems that there isn't a whole lot of compassion in the world these days.

First,

Thanks to all of you for your support and kind words. I want to first say that I found out that this hospital does roughly 10 hysterectomies per week, and this is the location where women recover. The NICU and the baby nursery are right up the hall, and there are pictures of mother's with their children or families all over the walls.

I am sure that some person thought that they might be doing something comforting for women, but failed to really appreciate the situation at hand.

I wanted to be so very angry, really I did. I wanted to yell and scream, especially the first night, when I heard a small coo coming from one of the rooms nearby - I actually thought it was my body getting upset with me for having the hysterectomy in the first place.

With being home only a few days, I realize now that I it may be an opportunity for someone to say something, I just need some help in trying to say things in a way that helps them to fully realize the problem at hand.

I don't want them to think of me s some person that was just "emotional" who does not care about the financial issues the hospital needs to address. So, I am so grateful that you guys understand that this was painful to me and I would love some ideas on how to talk about this to the hospital.

Thanks,

rrichmond05

Wheni checked into the castle and was getting my blood drawn and whatnot they asked if it would be ok if I were on the birth center floor of if I would prefer not to. I said I would prefer not to so I was on the med surg floor. Things on the birth center floor are much nicer from what I hear, but I couldn't handle the thought of being around the new babies.

I was on a surgical floor and have had multiple surgeries in the past. If you received poor care on any floor, you need to call the patient advocate's office and tell them about your experience. A surgical floor should be able to take care of anyone post op, should be able to deliver meds on time, should be able to do a "clean" urine sample. I think hospitals that put all gyno patients in the same wing are doing it to accomodate their doctors and that is an outmoded point of view. The comfort of the patient should come before the convenience of the gynocologist/surgeon.