Anaesthetic awareness case settled
01/01/2000
Thank you so much for handling my case so well. You came to know us at a great time of sadness and you were so kind. We will always remember you as very professional but also very warm hearted.
Sylvia, Tamworth
Jane was delighted when she discovered she was pregnant with her second child. She had always wanted a large family and was looking forward to having more children in the future.
She had experienced difficulties when having her first child and had to have a caesarean section as the birth did not progress naturally.
Feeling that she had missed out on seeing the birth of her first child as she had the caesarean under a general anaesthetic, Jane was keen to have a spinal anaesthetic which would enable her to give birth to her second child under a local anaesthetic and watch the baby being born.
The anaesthetist had some difficulty administering the injection, but after several attempts he managed to get the spinal block in place.
After testing the feeling in Jane's legs and stomach with a cold gel, pin pricks and scratches, Jane repeatedly told the anaesthetist that she could feel everything. He did not seem unduly concerned, and carried on the procedure as usual.
A doctor and surgeon began the procedure, with Jane in pain, crying, and telling them that she could feel everything they were doing to her.
Eventually her husband, who was by her side throughout the operation shouted at the anaesthetist to stop.
The procedure was stopped and the rest of the delivery was undertaken with Jane under a general anaesthetic.
Jane woke up after the birth the following day in considerable pain.
The memory of the experience has left Jane and her husband so distressed that they are unable to contemplate having another baby.
Since the birth Jane has not been able to talk about the experience.
She has been told that she must have another operation which requires going under anaesthetic to repair a hernia which was diagnosed after the birth.
She has been having hypnotherapy to try to overcome her fear of having another anaesthetic.
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