Amanda is a Latin American 28 y.o. G4P2, at 37.1 weeks gestation, came into the hospital for a scheduled cesarean section (C/S). Today was going to be her second C/S; however, Amanda was anxious as she entered the hospital. Although this was her third baby, her prior delivery left her traumatized, and with a scar, she could never forget.
Her primary OBGYN scheduled Amanda's C/S. Her OBGYN informed her to arrive by 7 am. However, it was closer to 10 am before Amanda arrived at the hospital. She arrived at a bustling labor and delivery unit, and once the secretary retrieved her insurance and ID, the nurse took her to a room. Once in a room, the nurse obtained her detailed history while Amanda settled in the labor bed. It was during this history that Amanda revealed she had previously experienced a uterine rupture. This information let the nurse know that in a previous delivery, her uterus tore open and caused significant bleeding. Thinking back to the experience, Amanda looked away solemnly. In addition to a uterine rupture, Amanda also experienced gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
While this was her fourth pregnancy, she was expecting her third child and had decided that this would be her last. Months prior, Amanda signed a consent to have her tubes tied during her C/S.
As the day passed, Amanda grew more restless as she waited for her C/S to begin. As she waited, she noticed that the shifts were changing, and she still had not been taken to the operating room (OR) for her procedure. Once, the night shift nurse came in to introduce herself and reassured Amanda that her C/S would be starting soon.
Finally, after close to 12 hours, Amanda was transported to the OR. The anesthesiologist administered a spinal epidural to numb her from the belly button down. Following the spinal administration, a team member assisted to a lying position on the operating table. The nurse inserted a Foley catheter to drain her urine and prevent her bladder from being accidentally cut during the procedure. Then her abdomen they cleaned her abdomen with a sterile solution to prepare her for the procedure.
After waiting all day, Amanda would finally meet her baby boy. Someone brought her support person into the OR, and the procedure began.
Within twenty minutes, her baby was born.
Her tubes were tied, and after over two hours of being in the OR, the nurse wheeled Amanda and her baby back to the labor room, where she began her recovery.