OB whats an Emergency?

A nurse asked this once. A 38 wk pregnant patient came in bleeding and the nurse was not sure if it was a bad sign or not. We were finally called to the OB floor after the patient had hemorrhaged 1000cc on the bed and some on the floor and still was hemorrhaging.

Uh Placenta Previa? I remarked, I asked the Patient if they were in pain and the answer was "YES, I told the nurse". I then asked the nurse about the fetal heart rate, she said they were not able to get one.

Painful bleeding ........ Placenta Previa. Fetal distress.

I was told the reason we were called was because they could not get a fetal heart rate.

Hmm they massive bleeding didn't disturb them?

So we went on to a C section and the Baby sis not do well, in fact it was resuscitated and went on to the NICU where later unfortunately the baby died.

Everything was done as it should of been, but the nurse clearly was not aware of the Placenta Previa and real danger, good thing they checked fetal heart tones and then called us ASAP.

But the Massive bleeding should of caused them to call that second.

This has taught me to not take OB lightly.

Dr. Bill