From the Single Mom's Law School Experience, then "Almost Attorney" to FINALLY an Esquire!: Negligence claim effects on hospitals

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Negligence claim effects on hospitals

I have had the displeasure of dealing with hospital bureacracy in the last several days. My sister is pregnant and in pre-term labor. First, we learned they no longer allow camcorders in the labor and delivery room. I guess too many sue happy people had fat, juicy evidence for lawsuits via the video recording. Second, dealing with procedure due to legal liability is out of hand.

We went to the hospital the first time when my sister was at 34 weeks, 6 days. We were told if she was at 35 weeks, they would just let her deliver. Instead the pumped her full of drugs (I think our count was seven) in order to stop her labor. After 18 hours in the hospital, we were sent home.

At 35 weeks, 1 day, we are back at 3 am. Only to be told that while they will not stop labor, even though she is contracting every 3-5 minutes and delivers fast, no can do. Go home. She had a doctor's appointment later that afternoon. Her doctor said, you are dialated to 3, and 75% effaced, time for baby----go to hospital right now and deliver that baby.

We trip down to the hospital at 5:00 pm. Now she is dilated to 4, and 85% effaced. They give her drugs, then sent her home.........in pain. Why? They won't help her along. She has not slept in 72 hours, she is emotionally wrecked....but the damn doctor and hospital claims that they are only thinking of the baby. I think they are thinking of lawsuits. Hospitals all over the nation deliver early at 35 weeks. Risks to baby are minimal. But risks increase greatly when mom is distressed.

I think it is a racket. What about mom's ability to direct her own care? What about that? What about the fact that she is so bruised and battered from continued injections that there are no more places for the hospital to prick her for her IV? What about her comfort, her health, her ability to savely and effectively deliver her child when the time comes? There are many things that would be safe and without risk to the mom or baby to help her. Instead, "Sorry honey, but this could go on for weeks."

Thank you John Edwards, and greedy corporate tort lawyers.....................................

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FAQ

Lots of people ask me: how do you do it? How do you attend law school and raise a child alone? My answer is simply that you prioritize. You approach school as an 8 to 5 job. I take Friday evenings and Saturday's off. Study a bit on Sundays. For me this works. It means not being a part of the "social" things at school, and that time between your classes is in the library studying. But that's okay. You will have different goals then the students who are single with no children.

How do you afford it? Student loans........yes, you heard me. My reasoning is that my earning capacity will double, but likely triple, which means that I can afford to take on the debt to pay for a better future for my daughter and I.

Does you daughter resent you studying? No. Sometimes she gets frustrated, but she really does understand the bigger picture. She is my biggest supporter. I have learned to include her by taking her to class with me when I can, by having her help me study with flash cards, and by taking her to appropriate events at school. In fact, I did an incoming student panel one year, and the administration of the school had her speak as well. We are a team, and that includes this journey.