Disappointed with My C-section Experience

Updated on June 18, 2013
H.C. asks from Bedminster, NJ
18 answers

When I went into labor my water broke at home. I rushed to the hospital with my husband and was admitted. I have been dilated to 5 for 1 week and at the hospital was still at 5. I payed in a bed for 6 hours waiting to dilate more but only got to a 7. Doctors came in and said the heart rate was dropping during contractions so try said I would need an emergency c-section. They asked if I would want my tubes tied while they were in there a I said "YES PLEASE" we were done having kids we already had a girl and were now having a boy. I signed a paper saying they were to tie them. So I went for the c-section and everything was good, but while they were stapling me back up I heard a doctor say her forgot to tie my tubes. I was so upset because they wee already done with the surgery. Now I don't know what to do. I am so nervous about getting pregnant again and I feel like the hospital owes me. What do I do? Di they do anything illegal sense I signed a paper?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm not sure how a successful c-section with a healthy baby left you with a disappointing experience.

I understand you are frustrated that the whole surgery was not completed, but I honestly didn't even think they would do that in an emergency c-section. I had one and when the doctor said we needed to have it, my son was born no more than 20 minutes later. The only concerns were to get my baby out safely and get me through the surgery safely. Those were the only things I wanted my doctor to think about.

As far as them asking you in the throws of an emergency c-section if you want your tubes tied. I'm not saying they didn't do it, but it's weird. My doctor always asked me several weeks before delivery. When I hesitated, she refused. I love her for that.

Also, it is a minor surgery to have it done now. They can do it laporascopically (I may have spelled that wrong) and the recovery time is less than a week.

The hospital doesn't owe you though. And you not getting pregnant is on you to control until you get a permanent fix.

I wish you luck.

11 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

H.:

Welcome to mamapedia!

Congratulations on your new baby boy!

Check your bill from the hospital and your insurance company. If you were charged for the tubal ligation, they should either refund you your money or do the procedure for which they charged you.

I don't know how this makes your c-section experience disappointing....not sure how the two equate.

Were you having problems or complications during your c-section? If so - I would think that saving your life was a tad bit more important than having your tubes tied. Talk with the doctor and find out how he/she wants to handle the situation.

Good luck!

8 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Houston on

You feel like the hospital "owes me"? Really? They didn't do anything illegal. You signed a consent form for the surgery to be performed. They did not sign something saying they would perform it. I'm not sure if there was an issue and the doctor didn't feel comfortable performing the tubal, not sure. Did you ask your doctor? Have you even had a conversation with them?

I would contact the doctor and go from there. I would also review my bill. IF you were charged for a procedure you did not receive THEN I let my insurance company and hospital know that the procedure was not done and the item needed to be taken off the bill.

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from New York on

Legally speaking, you signed a paper authorizing them to perform a procedure. They didn't sign a paper promising to perform a procedure.

And if you're thinking in terms of a malpractice suit, you really have to demonstrate that you suffered grievous harm. Not having an (elective) procedure doesn't rise to that bar.

That said, this is the kind of situation where you'd be within your rights to complain to the hospital's board of directors, an ombudsman if there is one (there usually is), and/or the appropriate state licensing board. But I don't think you'd get any compensation out of any of this.

Finally, you might seek out some documentation or confirmation that they truly forgot to tie your tubes. If you were just coming out of anesthesia, there's a decent likelihood you misunderstood. I don't mean to be questioning your perceptions or anything like that -- that's just anesthesia-brain.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

If you signed off on them tying your tubes and they didn't, that was neligence on their part, and I would pursue having them go back and do it at no cost to you.

5 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

I could not have my tubes tied upon the birth of my third child like I wanted to because it was a Catholic hospital. My other two were born there as well and it did not occur to me that it wouldn't happen because I had already discussed it with the doc at length.

Instead, 6 weeks later, I went to a different hospital for my tubal. Took roughly 2 hrs of my time. No problem.

What is it you want? Call the doc and schedule it now.

:)

Btw, you will not be cut open. They went in through my bellybutton.

5 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Look closely at what you signed.
If it specifies that the doctor would perform a tubal while they were in there, then they are contractually obligated to perform it.

I would also look closely at what you were billed for. Make sure that you don't double pay for that operation. You may need to pay for anesthesia for the second surgery, but that should be it.

Your other option is to have Essure done. You'll see lots and lots of reviews about it if you do a search out there. It's the non-surgical, non-hormonal birth control option.

I had it done 2 years ago. Very little pain, and no issues following it up. I've tested "all clear", and my tubes are blocked. In theory, I can't get pregnant again.

4 moms found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

Seeing how you are now going to have to be cut open to have your tubes tied, I would think that inquiring to the hospital would be well within your rights.

You had requested it be taken care of all at the same time, so you would only need to be cut open one time & only have to be put under one time and only have to recover one time...saving you pain & money & healing time! So, to me they have caused you lots of extra of all those things...pain, time & money!

Absolutely call and find out what they offer as a solution to fix it...and then if you are not happy with what they suggest, I believe you can get a free conseltation from most lawyers.

Updated

Seeing how you are now going to have to be cut open to have your tubes tied, I would think that inquiring to the hospital would be well within your rights.

You had requested it be taken care of all at the same time, so you would only need to be cut open one time & only have to be put under one time and only have to recover one time...saving you pain & money & healing time! So, to me they have caused you lots of extra of all those things...pain, time & money!

Absolutely call and find out what they offer as a solution to fix it...and then if you are not happy with what they suggest, I believe you can get a free conseltation from most lawyers.

4 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

So what are you looking for... to sue them? get a free surgery?

Maybe the Dr. forgot about it because you were having some sort of complication that took priority and then it honestly slipped his mind.

Look at your paperwork and make sure you were not charged for the tubal. Other than that, no harm done... you just didn't get what you wanted. There is nothing illegal about it.

If you are adamant about not getting pregnant, I would not have sex at all until I knew I was covered with birth control of some sort.

My hubby had the snip snip when daughter was about 2 and I stayed on the pill for fear of an oopsie until I had a hysterectomy. Only when I had the hysterectomy did I feel completely safe and then my drive skyrocketed because I knew there could be no oopsie!

4 moms found this helpful

M.B.

answers from Tampa on

Dont have sex til you get the surgery done, its really that simple. I would contact your regular OB and ask them the do the surgery.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

They didn't do anything illegal - but you could certainly contact the doctor and ask if they'll do the surgery at no charge since they forgot.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Unless they charged you for the second procedure then they don't owe you anything. Sometimes due to other issues during a surgery a secondary procedure can not be done right then. What was your BC plan before you found out you had to have an emergency C-section?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Just think if you hadn't heard that conversation and assumed that you were plugged and done, and then ended up pregnant. Oh my!

Talk to the doctor. If the 2nd procedure WAS done, there would be notes about it beyond the papers that you signed. If the procedure WASN'T done, there should be a note as to why.

Also, check with your insurance to make sure that you weren't charged for the tubal.

1 mom found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Most of the time, they won't let you sign the papers while you are already in Labor and Delivery...you have to do it ahead of time so you don't make any decisions in the "heat of the moment". I know a mom my age that was on her 4th pregnancy and went in early. They refused to do it until later because she hadn't signed ahead of time. Then life happened and it didn't get done and she ended up pregnant again (and has since had a total of two more since asking it be done during pregnancy number 4). I had mentioned it to my doctor while pregnant w/ my daughter but hadn't signed the papers yet. Since I was scheduled for induction, I planned to sign the papers then. Well, I went in two days before that on my own and then I had to wait until after my 6 week check up. My point being that I am shocked they let you sign the paperwork while going in for an emergency C-section while you were already in labor.

First you need to see how your doctor is handling it. Did they bill you/your insurance for it without doing the procedure? If so, they need to fix that or it is insurance fraud AND the insurance won't pay for it again. Second, you will now need to be sedated and will have OR fees again so you need to see how they can work it out to accept whatever the insurance will pay and not charge you additional co-pays (but remember this isn't the hospital's fault...it rests solely on the doctor). Chances are they can do it as outpatient procedure where they will go in with two small incisions.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

Usually doc has a whole conversation about tying tubes. They must cover their a-- can't believe doc asked and you signed. I am thinking you are not old. Anyway, if and when u decide to do it, it really is not a big deal. My main concern would have been to get that baby out and see that he was healthy.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.C.

answers from New York on

My c-section was perfect except for not being able to get my tubes tied. I am very grateful for having a healthy son. I wasn't charged for it on bill just disappointed because at least one plus of having the emergency c-section was that I was able to get that done all in one shot. And then to find out that the doctor just forgot. I wasn't asking this question to see if I could get money. So the people that were thinking that are wrong. Just wondering if it happened to anyone else and curious if I wanted to get my tubes tied later the hospital would be resposible to pay for the procedure. Or be covered by my insurance? Thanks for all the comments and recommendations

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

That really sucks. Not sure why everyone is giving you a hard time on this one. They kind of suck too. But I don't think you are looking at anything illegal here. Especially since this wasn't well planned and signed off on in advance. No need to freak about getting pregnant though. Just going to have to send hubby in for a little snip snip.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

The hospital only owes you if you paid for the tubal. It sucks that they forgot, I had to have some surgery to remove scar tissue from tearing during delivery with my daughter and the doctor was supposed to remove a mole down there that drives me crazy. Every time it catches on my panties I curse the doctor a little that she forgot to do it. But the scar tissue that the surgery was originally for was removed and everything is better down there, so I don't dwell on it.

If you did pay for it, then you need to be raising holy hell. Did the doctor tell you directly that it wasn't done?

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions