Digest

This podcast episode features a doctor's personal story of a traumatic event that occurred during her work as an OB hospitalist. The episode begins with an announcement of the podcast's annual summer rebroadcast series, followed by a rebroadcast of a previous episode exploring the emotional impact of traumatic events. The guest then shares her childhood experiences, including her upbringing in a middle-class family and her experience with sexual abuse. She recounts her journey to becoming a doctor, her work as an OB hospitalist, and two particularly challenging experiences she faced. The episode culminates in the guest's detailed account of a baby dying in her hands during a C-section, the subsequent lawsuit, and the long-term effects on her mental health. She discusses the autopsy results, the legal battle, and the healing process she underwent. The episode concludes with the guest reflecting on the lessons she learned from this experience, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, forgiveness, and the realization that bad things can happen to anyone, even when everyone is doing their best.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction, Content Warning, and Summer Rebroadcast Announcement

This podcast episode features real experiences, often including traumatic events. Listeners are advised to consult the show notes for specific content warnings and support services. The podcast announces its annual six-week summer rebroadcast series, starting today. New episodes will resume on September 10th.

00:00:27

Rebroadcast Episode: "What If They Died in Your Hands?"

This episode, originally aired on February 1st, 2022, explores the emotional and psychological impact of a traumatic event.

00:01:19

The Guest's Journey to Becoming a Doctor and Early Experiences as an OB Hospitalist

The guest recounts her path to becoming a doctor, including her initial pursuit of nursing, her decision to return to medical school, and the pivotal moment that inspired her to pursue her dream. She describes her work as an OB hospitalist, focusing on deliveries and gynecologic emergencies. She shares two particularly challenging experiences, one involving a baby with neck bruises and another involving a mother who died during childbirth.

00:02:20

The Guest's Childhood and Family Background

The guest shares her upbringing in a middle-class family, with parents from impoverished backgrounds. She describes her relationship with her parents and the challenges she faced as a child.

00:03:47

The Guest's Experience with Sexual Abuse

The guest reveals that she was molested as a child, from the ages of three to seven or eight. She discusses the impact of this trauma on her life and the challenges she faced in seeking help.

00:30:02

The Guest's Traumatic Experience with a Baby's Death and the Subsequent Lawsuit

The guest recounts a harrowing experience where a baby died in her hands during a C-section. She describes the emotional impact of the event, the subsequent lawsuit, and the long-term effects on her mental health. She shares the results of the autopsy, which confirmed that she did not harm the baby during the C-section. However, she was still sued by the parents, leading to a year-long legal battle.

00:50:31

The Guest's Healing and Lessons Learned

The guest reflects on the healing process after the lawsuit and the lessons she learned from the experience. She emphasizes the importance of self-belief and forgiveness, even in the face of adversity.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the most challenging experience the guest faced as an OB hospitalist?

  The guest describes two particularly challenging experiences: one involving a baby with neck bruises after a forceps delivery and another involving a mother who died during childbirth due to an amniotic fluid embolism.

• How did the guest cope with the emotional trauma of the baby's death and the subsequent lawsuit?

  The guest experienced intense guilt, self-doubt, and PTSD. She sought therapy and support from colleagues, but the experience left a lasting impact on her.

• What lessons did the guest learn from her experience?

  The guest learned the importance of self-belief, forgiveness, and the realization that bad things can happen to anyone, even when everyone is doing their best. She also gained a deeper understanding of the human cost of medical malpractice lawsuits.

Show Notes