When I prepared to welcome my first child into the world, I anticipated a certain level of exposure in the hospital. I had read enough blogs and chatted with fellow moms to understand that many people might be present during the delivery process, and I thought I was ready for that. However, what I truly wasn’t prepared for was the overwhelming sense of invisibility I felt during such a vulnerable moment.
I’m not trying to dismiss the efforts of the medical staff; the nurses were mostly fantastic throughout my labor and delivery. Given that my labor was induced, I spent an extended period in the hospital—much longer than the average labor. After nearly three exhausting hours of pushing, I found myself lying on my back, legs spread apart, exposed to anyone who ventured into the room. And believe me, many did—doctors, nurses, and even the pediatric team were in and out, but only a few bothered to address me directly. In those moments, I felt more like an object than a person.
At one point, an intern named Sarah stopped by to speak with my doctor, having been his trainee previously. She gestured vaguely toward my exposed lower half while discussing assistance, completely ignoring me. There was no introduction, no inquiry into my comfort level, and no eye contact.
As my labor progressed and it became clear that I might need extra help to deliver my baby, my doctor consulted with the on-call OB. Again, they stood at my legs, discussing procedures that directly involved me, yet not a word was spoken to me. This pattern continued throughout my experience.
After my baby was finally born without the need for the vacuum extractor, chaos ensued. The pediatric team whisked my newborn away for checks while my doctor was applying pressure to my uterus, and another OB was stitching me up. It was a flurry of activity, yet I remained in the dark about what was happening. I could hear snatches of conversation about me, but none were directed my way.
I understand that sometimes medical professionals must act quickly, but the pace in the delivery room was not frantic. My induction and the pushing phase took considerable time. I get that labor and delivery staff encounter many cases like mine, and perhaps they inadvertently overlook the individual’s humanity. I know these oversights likely weren’t personal—perhaps they thought that leaving me alone was kinder.
However, it would have been greatly appreciated if the medical staff could have acknowledged the weary, birthing woman before them with a bit more dignity. If you need to discuss my body or any medical procedures, a simple “hello” while making eye contact shouldn’t be too much to ask.
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In summary, my childbirth experience was marred by a lack of communication and a sense of being overlooked by the medical staff. While I understand the challenges they face, a little more personal connection could have made a significant difference in how I felt during such a pivotal moment in my life.
Keyphrase: medical staff during childbirth experience
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