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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to be a medical guinea pig whilst being treated for suspected sepsis, one day postpartum whilst very unwell

147 replies

Februaryblooms · 29/04/2019 21:00

In hospital after being induced with DD who was born yesterday morning. DD has jaundice and is on a blue light in the crib but she's doing ok as per monitoring.

It was a quick labour that ended up with me having a second degree tear and stitches. I've been losing alot of clots, am weak and have been told I have some retained placental products.

I've had cannulas galore, constant blood tests etc and somewhere among that lot I've contracted an infection that they won't yet call sepsis but have strongly hinted toward that being what it is and said they are screening and treating me for it "just in case"

I'm currently laid up having a blood transfusion after rushing through two IV doses of antibiotics, multiple bags of fluid, and am told I may need to go to theatre to remove the retained products if they don't expel themselves/If the antibiotics don't work soon. I'm incredibly poorly, sweating, have poor (high heart rate, blood pressure, temperature) and can't leave my bed or tend to my newborn, fortunately my partner is here and is being brilliant.

I'm positively terrified to be honest and have never felt so vulnerable in my life after hearing the word "Sepsis"

My AIBU is:

AIBU to not want my treatment process used to teach the student midwives/staff. Every procedure and obs I have is being undertaken by the student staff over seen and walked through by senior staff who are all absolutely lovely but it's making me feel like a guinea pig laying here helpless, whilst my condition is being used to train the students.

I haven't said anything, I don't know if I have any right to. I'm being treated regardless aren't I and can't afford to go private.

Am I being ridiculous and over reacting because of my current state? How would you feel? Is this the norm?

Nobody has asked whether I mind so I assume I don't have a choice.

I'm not bashing the NHS and I'm grateful I'm being looked after. I'm

OP posts:
ThisIsTheSign · 29/04/2019 21:02

You hopefully will get a lovely nurse on duty soon, perhaps checking your obs. Please confide in her you're exhausted, and scared and ask her for her help in not consenting to any more trainees. Ask for a note on your file.

You have deserved lots of rest and baby cuddles. Dont feel you owe anyone any more than you are able.

Congratulations! Flowers

MrsGrannyWeatherwax · 29/04/2019 21:03

I believe you have a choice - I’m not medical but I have always been consulted prior to medical students doing anything or viewing anything to do with me.

I’m so sorry you’re having such a rough time, please speak to a midwife or ask your partner to. You have no need to suffer in silence x

Eloisedublin123 · 29/04/2019 21:05

Def say it to the nurse/ consultant

Poppy123xyz · 29/04/2019 21:07

You most definitely have a choice! Speaking to a nurse and getting it written on your notes is a good idea. You don't need to wait for one, just call one over.

DuckWillow · 29/04/2019 21:09

Hello and congratulations on your baby. Please please talk to someone, I used to be a midwife and I guarantee someone will listen and understand.

Hope you soon feel better.

NoClueWithStyle · 29/04/2019 21:13

I've been that student...you should be asked each time anything is done, if it's ok for a student to do it for you! If the supervisor isn't asking then the student should be.
Absolutely put your foot down if you've had enough. If you feel you can't but you want to, ask your lovely DP to have a word on your behalf.

I'm sure you appreciate that it's only by watching and doing that students learn, but it should not be to your detriment. So thanks for what you've accepted so far in supporting students to learn but if you've had enough, feel free to say "no, not right now" to any more. Who knows, as your condition improves you might feel up to it now. But as a caring profession they should understand you just need as little faffing about as possible right now.

Wishing you a super speedy recovery, excellent care, and magic snuggles with your baby very soon.

Spockster · 29/04/2019 21:13

YABU but it's understandable bc you're poorly.
How do you think the lovely senior staff learned? You're not feeling like a guinea pig because of the students, it's because you're being thoroughly monitored and treated. And very well by the sounds of it, thank goodness. Get well soon!

Powerof4 · 29/04/2019 21:13

Yanbu. Congratulations on your baby and hope you feel better soon x

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 29/04/2019 21:15

Another one saying speak to a nurse.

I was treated for suspected sepsis for both dc, last time being in March. Although they avoided using the word itself- they just referred to it as “a wee infection” so as not to terrify me. It was grim, constantly being poked and prodded with canulas getting tugged on my clothes and bedding shudder.

Each of the midwives I had looking after me were genuinely very caring- I got very pissed off with having a catheter in and when they saw how frustrated I was getting they took it out. Definitely worth speaking to them and explaining how you’re feeling.

Theredjellybean · 29/04/2019 21:16

You can ask for no more students but honestly if your well enough to write such a long post on mums net, it is unlikely you have sepsis.
They arw being very cautious as appropriate.
I'd be focusing my energy on a cuddle with my new baby and asking dp to talk to lead nurse about how you feel.
Though have any of the "students" not been able to get blood etc? If they have all undertaken test or procedures first time why is it different to a more experienced member of staff doing it?

BarrenFieldofFucks · 29/04/2019 21:19

Oh you poor love. From memory I was always asked if I was happy to have students there, I'd have thought this was the norm. I'd definitely raise it, or get your partner too if you don't want to.

Floatyboat · 29/04/2019 21:21

What do you mean by student staff?

AuntieStella · 29/04/2019 21:23

YANBU to say 'no more'

You have had various procedures done by students, so I think you've done your fair share for the next generation of HCPs.

octonoughtcake3 · 29/04/2019 21:24

I had spesis after having DD. Spesis is often misunderstood, it is not an infection itself but when your body is overwhelmed by an infection and your body starts attacking itself.

Ring your bell now and ask to speak to a senior midwife to discuss your concerns.

TheTrollFairy · 29/04/2019 21:27

It’s difficult because it really is the way that we get the trained drs through learning and watching drs do their job, however, birth is tiring and being ill after is no fun when you feel like a zoo animal especially when your bubba is poorly too.

Speak to the midwives if you have had enough though. They’ll put a stop to it for you

MoodLighting · 29/04/2019 21:27

Congratulations, and hope you get well soon and it isn't the s-word.

Popc0rn · 29/04/2019 21:28

Personally I wouldn't mind if they are being supervised properly, but I'm a nurse and remember what it was like to be a student. I'm very grateful for those patients who let me do things to them, but always asked if it was okay first. I hope none of them felt like a guinea pig.

Some of those student midwives could be days away from qualifying; this week they are in their student uniform, next week they could be in their qualified one. I had to do some things for the first time once I was a qualified nurse because I didn't get a chance to when I was a student. But you have every right to ask for no students.

Boom45 · 29/04/2019 21:29

I had sepsis after my baby, the parts i was conscious for were the most terrifying moments of my life so I'm sending you lots of love and luck.
My local hospital is a teaching hospital so throughout my stay - the labour, the emergency section, the transfusions, the treatment - everything - students were involved and around. However, when it got serious the "senior" staff stepped right in and I always felt i could say if i wasn't comfortable.
It's hard when you're so ill and hooked up to all the machines and tubes and stuff but maybe you could speak to the nurse who is caring for you or your parents or partner and ask them to speak up for you?

lau888 · 29/04/2019 21:35

Students need to be supervised so it's likely that their work is being overseen by whoever is the most qualified person on the ward. They are also more likely to be paranoidly careful about how they treat you, in case they do anything wrong. Maybe think of it that way? I hope you feel better soon. Felicitations on your new baby. x

TabbyMumz · 29/04/2019 21:37

And yet with all this going on....you are on Mumsnet!

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 29/04/2019 21:40

I think you've done enough. I'd speak to the ward sister and put a stop to it. Hope you feel better soon.

Mascarponeandwine · 29/04/2019 21:41

My son had sepsis but was still on YouTube while the antibiotics were pumped into him. You can have it and be treated for it while still being fairly lucid and not unconscious.

Mascarponeandwine · 29/04/2019 21:42

I think you’ve done enough too

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 29/04/2019 21:42

And yet with all this going on....you are on Mumsnet!

Aye, God forbid a woman trapped in her hospital bed immediately after giving birth to a dc that also needs medical care tries to distract herself by mumsnetting.

Honest to god, some people have no empathy.

MrsChollySawcutt · 29/04/2019 21:45

You don't have to have the student present if you don't want to. Personally, rather than you being a guinea pig, I would see it as a good insurance policy to make sure everything is done exactly as it should be since the student is being taught the right way to do things.