Since posting Baby Piglet’s birth story, things have worsened for me rather than improved and my state of health deteriorated to the point that I was no longer even able to move my legs in bed without being in a great deal of pain.
I’d had pain between my legs from the beginning, but the mix of giving birth and having a broken coccyx caused me confusion – I was in pain everywhere and couldn’t identify where the pain was coming from. I was scared as there was fresh blood as opposed to the post partum lochia, I had no idea where it was coming from but it terrified me. Surely this wasn’t normal?
As the days progressed, the pain became more and more excruciating. Trips to the toilet were howling sessions as I bawled my eyes out due to the pain. Nursing Baby Piglet became such as task as getting her into position was painful as often I would have to shift my position a little bit.
We saw a midwife and a Doctor as we couldn’t understand why I was in this much pain and where the blood was coming from. A urine infection was diagnosed and two types of bacteria found. Two weeks after giving birth I started antibiotics.
After a few days there was a bit less pain and I became hopeful. I got up and walked around for a little bit, happy to be out of the bedroom. I quickly had to return to bed though as it was like having glass between my legs.
That night the pain was worse than ever and the pain before had been bad. I swore I wouldn’t cry in front of Baby Piglet as I had been told baby’s were sensitive to emotions. That night I cried all night and couldn’t sleep.
The next morning Mr Piglet had had enough. He forced me to get up and took me to the hospital. An agonising car journey followed, with me sat on a rubber ring, semi laying down and hanging on for dear life, breathing through the pain.
The hospital (not the one where I gave birth) tried to turn me away, saying I should see a doctor but Mr Piglet insisted and the sight of a new mother doubled over in pain, biting hard into her lips with tears streaming down her face and fists curled up in balls must have made them take pity. I was quickly shown to a room and a doctor was called arrived instantly.
The doctor checked me over and in no time at all discovered something worrying, medical compresses that had not been removed after I gave birth three weeks prior. The look on her face was one o absolute horror, she appeared close to tears as she saw how much I suffered when she removed it. She hugged me in an attempt to make me feel better and to ease the pain.
Unfortunately the lesions I had suffered were too great and too painful so she was unable to examine me properly so as yet we don’t know the extent of the damage or if anything else has been forgotten… I hope to return tomorrow (Tuesday) for the examination to be carried out.
Once the compresses had been removed the difference was amazing. My pain was greatly reduced and for the first time in 3 weeks I could stand up straight. My progress has been amazing since, although my body is weak from the infections, I am able to look after Baby more like any normal Mum would do although only for short periods at a time. Large portions of our days are still spent in bed cuddling as I can’t get up for too long as I still have quite a lot of pain but everyday I progress.
Baby Piglet seems more contented and much calmer since Friday and I swear she has even started smiling at me!
Words can barely describe how I feel by what has happened: robbed, violated, disgusted, anger, fear and gratefulness are just a few.
My coccyx still hurts but does not stop me from looking after my baby. I have been robbed of the first few weeks with my newborn, moments that I will never get back.
I feel violated that during the moment when my most private parts are exposed the Doctor in whom I was supposed to have confidence could show such neglect and leave a foreign object inside me, causing damage and much pain.
Disgusted that such a medical error could happen in France, the country which boasts so much about its fantastic health system. How could they not have counted how many compresses they put in and checked how many they took out?
Anger for all of the above and for the fact that no-one noticed.
Fear for the future: for tomorrow, what will they discover and how much will I suffer? Will this leave me infertile?
Finally I am grateful that I am still here and that Baby Piglet is here and well. I could have had septicaemia and passed it to her through my milk. We could have died as was the case for another Mum who experienced the same thing, but we didn’t.
My experience has changed my outlook on life, I am grateful for everything I have and thankful that we are both okay when the outcome could have been so much different.
Needless to say I will be suing.
Wow…all I can say is wow! I am so sorry you had to go through that…..that is truly traumatizing.
Sending out positive energy to you………and blessing you and your family….hoping you heal quickly…….physically and emotionally.
Barbara
OMD!
Take care and speedy recovery to you. How scary indeed! I am glad you are on the mend and able to write about it. I think it’s a problem that has happened to quite a few women over the years. It seems foolish that we would have to ask medical personnel after giving birth to double check they’ve removed everything, but perhaps we ought to be doing just that.
Grateful you are okay,
Priscilla
Oh my! I am so sorry! I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that all ends up ok for you. That must feel awful to have been through all that, I would also be SO angry for having lost that time with my baby, and the potential long term effects! The one ‘good’ thing is that you are starting to feel better. Hugs!
I don’t even know what to say. I have just picked my jaw up off the ground. I am so sorry that you have had to go through this. What I am most sorry for is, like you said, that you have missed those precious moments in the first few weeks of Baby Piglet’s life. I have no idea how the legal system works here, but in the US we are somewhat experts in the suing process… I hope you become a rich, rich, rich lady, and I hope they yank that doctor’s license so she/he can never touch another patient!
I don’t know if we could work something out, but I am a newborn/baby photographer. We live about 2 hours from Lyon in Clermont-Ferrand. I would love to help you capture some of those precious moments now that you are starting to feel better. Maybe some portraits at your new house??? I would love to give this gift to you because you have been through the unspeakable. If you are interested, my website is http://www.kimberlycabephotography.com. My email is on the website if you want to contact me. No pressure. And I don’t know when you would feel up to it. We are here only until the end of June, so that doesn’t leave us a lot of weekends!
Big hugs to you and lots of snuggles to Baby Piglet!
I’m speechless…
That is just so horrible. Wishing you all the best for a quick recovery, so glad that you are already feeling much better.
x x
I am so sorry that you have had to go through such a terriable ordeal. How does and experience OB do such a thing. Hopefully things will only get better from here on out! Hugs from one mother to another.
I’m just thankful that they’ve discovered the reason why you were in such pain, and have put it right. What a stupid mistake to make though, and how potentially fatal. It doesn’t bear thinking about.
I’m sure Baby Piglet will enjoy making up for lost time with all the cuddles and snuggles. Babies are pretty resilient thank goodness.
Hugs.
Words fail me!
My poor baby Piglet you have voiced my worst fears 😦
((((hugs)))
I just wished I’d been more vocal when I was there and aired my concernss that all was not well. However, with so many doctors and nurses examining you I can’t believe NO ONE picked this up. Like you I trusted the French Healthcare system and we are all wiser in hindsight. I could not believe what they made you go through at the birth it was barbaric.
How can France dare to boast that their health service is one of the best in the world? – perhaps it’s their marketing ploy to make one believe you are in “safe” hands.
I hope one of the “National Newspapers” pick this up and run with it.
I have a saying…”Don’t get mean get even”
Litigation may be expensive, but social media is free and someone somewhere will promote your cause – I feel sure you can’t be alone.
Mamma Piglet
What an appalling error. You have done so well to continue to look after your baby through all this. I hope this is now the beginning of the good times that all three of you deserve.
I’m outraged on your behalf. How dare they be so negligent?! Thank goodness you’re starting to feel better now so you can enjoy your beautiful little girl.
Good luck for your appointment on Tuesday.
Big hugs Xx
Good for you! Law suits are so very rare in France, but you certainly have a case.
I’m sorry that for your first child, you had to experience something like that.
Oh my god, that is one of the most awful stories I’ve ever heard. I am so, so sorry that you had to go through such a horrifying experience.
It sounds like things are slowly looking up. Take care of yourself and your new baby! 🙂 She’s adorable!
First of I just want to say congrats on your little one! I have been reading your blog, but haven’t commented until now. Your little one is so adorable!
Believe me when I say that I have far too many friends here in the USA who have had harrowing and terrible experiences giving birth. I would say that France is far from being unique in medical mistakes. My best friend was in such pain during delivery the nurse started screaming at the doctor to give her some meds. The doc later came in an apologized– and you know that never happens in case they get sued!
I hope that you can now both begin to recover. This early stage is hard. Get as much sleep as you can and never EVER turn down help!!! You need to care for you, too.
My very best wishes to you and your family, and I hope each day helps you feel better.
Take care!
Oh holy heck.
Piglet this is ……. I don’t even have words!
I am gobsmacked that this has happened to you – after everything you’ve already been through. I hate the idea of you being in all this pain and being turned away when there was something seriously wrong.
Thank goodness you and Baby Piglet are ok.
I’m so sorry you went through this.
Sue the pants of the b*sterds!
xx
What an unbelievably awful experience you have had. My goodness, no wonder you were in such pain. But thank heavens that you have found the reason and are now on the road to recovery. I am sure that baby Piglette will understand and just be grateful to have her mummy fully functional.
There cannot be any excuse for such dangerous incompetence on the part of the doctor.
Get well soon, and enjoy your adorable little baby.
Oh my. I dont have any words. How horrible. How incompetent. So glad you went typ the hospital and they caught it.
Praying for good news.
I truly sorry for all the pain you have gone through but I know this happens everyday to someone. Here in the US they say so many incidents happen daily and the hospitals don’t even report them as they should. At this time the US has a much higher death rate then some 3 world countries during child birth.
The only advise I can give is that you must speak up for yourself , Mr. Piglet was smart to insist on seeing a Dr. I have been in and out of hospitals for years and have learned that Dr. are not Gods and I know my body. If I don’t agree with what they are telling me I let them know and if I think they need to look harder for the answer I make them look. That is what we all have to do no matter where we live. There are very good Dr. ever where but there are some that think they are great or just don’t give a damm, so we have to keep an eye on things. I’m sure you would never of thought of something like that being the problem. It is scarey if you really think about how much trust we put in the medical commonitie.
Thank you for telling us your story maybe it will help someone out there who is going into the hospital soon, they should watch and ask question about anything they don’t understand.
I hope you are better very soon and I pray you can use this pain for good.
Such a horrible story and I would definitely be sueing them!
So sorry you had to go through so much pain and sorrow, I’m glad that they were able to figure out the problem and get it fixed so that you are doing better now. Sending prayers for your continued recovery and that you are more able to enjoy your beautiful baby girl!
I hope you are on the road to recovery now. What a bad first birth experience, thank goodness for your sweet little girl.
My heart is breaking for you having to go through such a horrific ordeal. I wish there were some words that I could express to make you feel better. All I can say is that I’m happy that you are on the road to recovery now and enjoying Baby Piglet. If there is anything I can do for you, let me know 🙂 Bisous x
Words fail me, you have been so strong, I really hope you can now get on with life and enjoy your beautiful baby!
Oh awful, I’m so sorry 😦 Sue the hell out of them! People need to understand that just because the French health system is available and affordable for all does not mean negligence can’t happen. I hope you will be able to bounce back from this emotionally as you have started to physically – the important thing is you and Baby Piglet are safe!
Oh I am just appalled at this negligence and what you have had to suffer as a result. And you must sue them..not only to make them pay for this gross error but to prevent it happening to anyone else.
We had a few scares with my grandson resulting in scans, x-rays, blood tests etc, but all is now well..thank God.
I’m so pleased that Baby Piglet is doing well and that at last you can attempt to be a “normal” mum. Get well very soon xxxxx
I am absolutely shocked and feel so sorry for all you have had to go through. I read a year or so ago a report about the number of things left inside patients in NZ, and I was shocked then. I’m glad you have been able to find the root of the problem and now much happier with piglette (who is gorgeous btw!). I hope that things get better and you can spend some painfree time with your little one.
There must be a medical board you can speak to. Please don’t let this go, even is Mr Piglet takes up the case for you. Someone does need to be held accountable, it is an avoidable error! Whether or not you can sue, I’m not sure (we can’t in NZ), but you must be able to get compensation for the pain both physical and mental that you’ve suffered.
Bon courage and enjoy the all the little moments with Piglette.
I’m sorry to read this and sending you healing light and love. This is truly a horrible aftermath and I wish you a speedy recovery. Love to you, the baby and your family.
Elizabeth
I just can’t even begin to understand how they could have made such a serious mistake, Piglet. This disgusts me and scares me. You have every right to feel robbed and cheated, and I hope that they will have to pay dearly for what they’ve done to you. In the mean time, i’m glad you’ll finally be able to enjoy your time with Little Piglet and that you’re already starting to feel so much better. Thinking of you and hoping for the best.
A truly terrible medical mistake. Sue the living daylights out of them.
I am so glad to hear you are starting to feel better, but understand the fear you feel, not knowing the full extent of the damage yet.
I wish you and your family all the very best for a speedy recovery. I have to warn you, the legal aspects may be not nearly as speedy, unfortunately, depending on what the French legal system is like.
I am so sorry that you have had to go through what sounds like a totally mishandled birth…from not sorting out your baby’s position onwards….and if only people would be more open about what actually happens in childbirth then you’d be in a better position to know what is to be expected and what certainly is not.
And as for the second hospital trying to turn you away….well, the mind should boggle ,but it doesn’t.
I hope you will not have permanent damage and that you can go on to enjoy your little girl to the full….and obviously you must sue, but, as you already know, the French legal system is a disaster.
Make sure you get your hands on the report of the doctor you saw at the second hospital asap…things have a habit of disappearing.
We are wearily taing on a French hospital for using my husband as a guinea pig, leaving him with permanent damage, and, I can tell you, it has been a struggle, from the minute we first tried to get a lawyer to take on the case.
Still, you and Mr. Piglet are both tough, resilient people…so go for it.
So sorry to hear of your ordeal. I hope you are much, much better today and enjoying motherhood. No one should have to be their own doctor like this! Good for you for insisting on not ignoring the pain.
I feel so terrible for you reading this! Even more than the original mistake, what shocks me is how long you had to suffer afterwards, even with the midwife visiting you, and that the second hospital tried to turn you away. It must have been a horrible, horrible experience. I really hope you get well soon.
Oh honey, I am crying and angry and would like to sue also ! Just for being so smug and careless and so arrogant !
Thank goodness for the good stuff, you are healing, little piglet is fine, you will be fine .. you are young and you were healthy before this happened… it is amazing how the body recovers and how strong it is.
Heal and rest and snuggle and grow strong .. then perhaps get the hell out of France ? lol
I am so sorry for what you’ve had to go through, Piglet. I am relieved the cause of all of this pain has finally been discovered, but how awful that you had to experience this. What an awful mistake. I truly don’t have words except to say I am thinking about you and hoping you have a swift recovery. Take care.
Enjoy your wee one! Stay calm to allow yourself to heal quickly.
Don’t add to your stress by hanging on to anger or making a hasty decision to “sue the bastards.” They’re not bastards. They are medical practicioners who made a mistake.
If you are fully recovered in a week, think about whether you really want to get embroiled in depositions and interrogatories and requests for productions and all the other hoopla that lawsuits entail.
All that takes time and energy that you could instead devote to your wee one.
If you do not fully recover, consult an attorney about your options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding how to proceed.
Decisions make in anger are often not the most favorable to us in the long run.
Peace! (A friend of PiP!)
I wish I could be delurking in better conditions, but I was like a goldfish during this post, so much so that my Frenchie asked what was wrong. I’m a brit expat in France too and just can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. Big British hug, make a speedy recovery. Let us know how it goes after you ring the doctor.
So very sorry this has happened to you, Piglet, but thankful that the cause has been discovered in time. Sadly not a unique mistake, but that the second hospital should have tried to turn you away in your condition truly stinks.
All good wishes for continual progress to full health and a happy time with your beautiful daughter.
Oh, dear, it is only today that I have come back home after being away on holoday and visiting Rome, so naturally, I opened the PC and read your post ! This is unbelivable ! How lucky you are to have this fixed in a proper way before it could have been too late ! And I am so happy you are fine now ! Your husband did a great thing taking you to hospital in time ! All the best from me 1
My husband and his ex-wife had some horrific stories about the birth of their two babies too. It does make me wonder about the GYN/OBs here in France. I’m very glad I’m past child bearing age. I wish you a speedy recovery and perhaps some apologies from doctors. I’m very happy that it didnt end up tragic. Thanks for your Twitter message. It looks like we’re neighbors although I’m not quite sure where you are in relation to Chambery. Tons of videos about the area on my blog and other sites if you want to get oriented to the place and see what there is to do and see here.