On Sunday (4 November 2018), a Facebook video and post went viral after it alleged that a pregnant mum in labour pain was neglected by staff at National University Hospital (NUH).
“I heard the lady’s husband telling the NUH staff that his wife was in great pain and ready for delivery,” wrote Preet Sandhu in her Facebook post (which has now been taken down).
Pregnant mum in pain allegedly neglected by hospital staff
In the video, the pregnant mummy is seen sitting in a wheelchair, and holding her belly in pain.
According to Ms. Preet, the male nurse at the counter was “rude” and had a “don’t-care attitude”. Apparently, he remained oblivious to the fact that the mummy was in need of urgent attention.
“Seven minutes were being wasted instead”, wrote Sandhu.
“This is how my father died”, she says.
The video went viral, with more than 132,000 views and 2,600 shares.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FACEBOOK VIDEO
NUH responds to the controversy
NUH has since then responded to the viral post on Facebook. The hospital has clarified on its admission procedure as well.
“We are aware of a Facebook post by a visitor about the registration process for one of our patients at our Emergency Medicine Department (EMD). The post stated that our patient was unassisted for seven minutes outside the EMD.”
“The hospital views this matter seriously and we have looked into it. Based on our CCTV records, our patient was transferred to the delivery suite four minutes on arrival to our EMD on Sunday (4 Nov 2018).”
“She arrived at our EMD at 11.16am and took a seat outside the EMD while her husband approached the screening counter at the entrance. As part of the process, the screening staff had to obtain some information on the patient and her condition before he could call the delivery suite to arrange for admission.”
“In the meantime, a porter wheeled her into the EMD at 11:18am. At 11.20am, the patient was transferred to the delivery suite.”
“We acknowledge that our staff could have shown more empathy and have since reached out to the patient and her husband to apologise for their experience.”
“We are happy to share that the patient delivered last evening and both mother and child are doing well.”
4 Stages of Labour
Mummies, when it comes to delivering your precious baby, it is normal to be anxious and tense, because yes, every second does count. However, it is best to understand the 4 stages of labour, so you don’t get into a panic attack during those crucial moments.
First Stage
The first stage of labour involves the dilation of the cervix from 0 cm to 10 cm.
It is subdivided into 3 stages- latent stage, active labour and transitional phase.
Latent phase
This stage is when your cervix first starts to thin out, soften and dilate. This can take place over a few hours or even over a few days. The body is gradually getting ready for birth.
Here are signs of this latent period that you might experience:
- ‘Bloody show’, which is blood-stained mucus
- Loose bowel movement
- Period-like cramps
- Lower back pain
- The need to vomit
- A sudden gush or slow leak of fluid from your vagina, indicating that your waters have broken. This fluid should be clear or pinkish in colour. If you notice greenish or bloody (red) fluid, contact your doctor without delay.
You should head to the hospital once your contractions are regular or if your waters break.
Active labour
You will start experiencing contractions more frequently and powerfully — every three to four minutes and they may last for up to 90 seconds.
You will be admitted to the delivery suite and an internal vaginal examination will be performed to assess your cervical dilation. The dilation is expected to progress at about 1 cm per hour during the active phase of labour.
Your labour progress will be monitored closely.
Transitional phase
By now, your cervix is around 8 cm dilated and you might feel like pushing for the first time.
While your contractions may be less frequent, they will be a lot more powerful than before and also last for longer. You may go through a flurry of emotions and might feel cold, sick or even get the shakes.
For most mums, this is the hardest or most painful part of labour.
Second Stage
This stage occurs when your cervix has fully dilated to 10 cm. You are now ready to push and deliver your baby. Your contractions will be more intense to help push the baby through your birth canal.
If you have had an epidural, you may not feel the urge to push. If this is the case, your doctor/nurse will let you know when you can start pushing, and for how long.
You may require an assisted delivery by forceps or vacuum extraction at this stage if:
- The second stage of labour is prolonged and you have been pushing for more than an hour
- You are too tired and can no longer push effectively
- Your baby shows signs of distress and delivery needs to be speeded up
Third Stage
You will probably be cradling your baby by now and perhaps have initiated breastfeeding, but the birthing process is still not over.
In this last stage, you’ll be delivering that all-important organ that provided incredible nourishment to your baby during pregnancy — the placenta.
You’ll feel contractions again naturally, or sometimes, your doctor may give you an injection to speed up the process.
You might feel a heaviness in your vagina and then the placenta and membranes should easily come out with one or two pushes.
Your doctor will check you to make sure the whole placenta was delivered, and that your uterus is contracting to stop the bleeding from where the placenta detached from your uterus.
Fourth Stage
The fourth stage of labour is medically defined as the, “hour or two after delivery when the tone of the uterus is reestablished as the uterus contracts again, expelling any remaining contents.”
“These contractions are hastened by breastfeeding, which stimulates production of the hormone oxytocin.”
During this time the mummy might experience tremors and chills, as well as discomfort from delivery, episiotomy or tears, and hemorrhoids. It is normal to feel dizzy or faint if you try to stand up.
Also READ: 7 tips for an easier labour