Amy’s new partner not only donated sperm but also herpes virus, which became manifest when she entered labor, requiring a cesarean delivery (by a covering doctor she’d never met) to protect the newborn--neonatal herpetic encephalitis can be devastating if not deadly. Too bad after 6 prior vaginal births. But that was just the start of her problems.
First, postpartum hemorrhage, requiring a return to OR to control bleeding. Six units of blood transfused. Then a blood clot in her ovarian vein, extending into the inferior vena cava. Hospitalized 10 days for anti-coagulation (blood thinners). Sent home still bleeding. Returned in two days when bleeding increased.
This is where I come in. The same doctor who delivered her is again covering for her doctor, but she refuses to see him, so the ER calls me as the doc assigned to see patients without local doctors (aka community call, aka “no doc” call).
She receives another two units of blood and responds to “uterotonics” (drugs that make the uterus contract; her overused uterus just can’t do the job on its own), meaning we don’t have to take her off the blood thinners, which would be a risky venture. Nor does she have to return to the OR for a hysterectomy, another risky option.
And yes, she did get a tubal ligation at the cesarean delivery.
Ack, you can't post about c-section complications three days before your niece goes in for a c-section!!
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