Dear Marie--first a hug!!! I agree completely with Mary Renard that there's
a LOT more here than meets the eye. I've been a nurse since 1979 and have
been in many challenging situations but never had anesthesia called to
sedate a patient! I remember in your note that you had medical students "in
tow"--can they testify that you said no such things? When you checked with
the nursery about why she didn't have her baby after 12 hours, what did they
say?
        Your situation points out what I'm drumming into my nursing students
right now. In this litigious society, we need to chart defensively. We need
to thoroughly chart what specifically we did, taught, client's response, and
what we plan to do just like the staff nurses do--before we leave the floor.
That way if there is any question by anyone, our record speaks for us until
they can contact us (too bad nobody called you right away!!)
        I'm glad you let everyone here know--I hope you can sense the
tremendous level of support Lactnetters offer to you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks
also for the opportunity to remind ourselves to meticulously document
everything. And don't go near this woman or her husband without a witness!!
        Let us know how you're feeling--wish we could send flowers!
Warmly,
Mary Alice Phillips, BSN, IBCLC