A Langley mother is demanding changes to health care in B.C. after dealing with life-threatening complications following an emergency C-section.
Natasha Olauson had a C-section to deliver her daughter on Feb. 17 at Royal Columbian Hospital.
“Something felt wrong,” she told Global News.
“I felt, so I’ve had an infection before with my previous C-section. So this was my third emergency C-section, and I felt like I had an infection and a hematoma brewing already. When you’ve had one before, you know what it feels like.”
Olauson said she insisted the doctors put her on antibiotics, which they ultimately did, but she says her health was deteriorating very quickly.
An ultrasound in early March revealed there were pieces of her placenta left behind inside her, Olauson said, and she then had to undergo procedures at Langley Memorial Hospital to remove them.
“I went into emergency D&C (dilation and curettage), and the next morning I woke up and I was in agonizing pain and screaming for help, and most pain I’ve ever lived in my life I can’t even comprehend,” she said.
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Following the second procedure, Olauson said the bleeding would not stop, forcing doctors to perform an emergency hysterectomy.
“I don’t have words,” she said. “I am 33 years old. I was not done having children.”
She says she was sent home, but then on Sunday, she was rushed to Surrey Memorial Hospital after still being in pain.
Olauson said she feels like she was not listened to by hospital staff and believes the hysterectomy could have been prevented had doctors listened to her concerns initially.
Fraser Health says it cannot speak to the specifics of the case. However, it did issue a statement.
“It matters to us that every person and their family feel heard, supported and cared for, and we are sorry that this has not been a positive experience for this person while in our care,” Dr. Kirsten Niles, regional division head of obstetrics for Fraser Health, said.
“Although we will not speak to the specifics of a person’s care journey with us, we can share that the care team has remained in communication with this patient to provide care and support. Our care teams are working collaboratively with our partners to support the patient and their family and we will continue to do so as needed throughout their care journey.
“We are thoroughly reviewing this person’s care journey to understand how we can improve the patient experience for people in our care. This includes examining our internal processes to determine if refinements need to be made.”
Olauson said the experience has left her hurt, angry and sad.
“Mutilated,” she said, “like I’m not a woman anymore.”
“Hopefully, this doesn’t happen to anybody else, and it can start to, you know, change doesn’t happen by people staying silent.”
A GoFundMe has now been set up to help Olauson pay for childcare and unexpected expenses.
Sometimes when the worst happens, the easiest thing to do is to lash out at anyone who played their part, whether good or bad.
Next time let nature take its course and then she if she’s happy about that.
Instead of feeling violated, this young mother should be thankful she is alive and thankful she has three children. My grandmother died from the same thing. The afterbirth did not come out following the birth of her 10th child at 31 and she died two weeks after. Thus, leaving 10 children to be distributed out by family and some being adopted out. (1942-obvious these issues still exist.)
What the heck kind of language is this being used by the Health Authority —e.g., they use the word “care” 4 times in one sentence.
Repeating the word “care” over & over doesn’t change the fact that what actually occurred here was LACK OF CARE. I feel very sorry for the victim in this case, snd would strongly suggest that she get a lawyer and SUE the health authority, the hospital, and any and all physicians involved for what was clearly a LACK of proper care that resulted in her now being unable to conceive.
So she received care at RCH first, and then was sent to Langley memorial and then Surrey?
Was she treated at Surrey then? I’m confused by the way this article is written.
If you don’t like the health care system in Canada then leave. I heard there’s lots of 3rd world countries accepting Canadians these days. I’m sure they have way better doctors and hospitals there. You might even recieve a clean hospital bed with heat and running water… if you’re lucky. Or even better go to the USA and recieve a $50k bill in the mail for a broken arm or $100k for a broken leg
How many times are we told to listen to our bodies as we know them best. Health care in this province has deteriorated so badly and absolutely no doctors are listening to the patient. Then they dont take responsibility for their inaction or mistakes. Leave people in horrible situations for years. No apologies, no follow up, left on your own to manage life changing disabilities.
All 7 of these health authorities in BC need a complete overhaul and doctors need to start listening!
If you’ve had two emergency C sections, you shouldn’t be having MORE babies. I dont feel bad for this greedy woman at all.
I know what she is feeling J had the same thing happen to myself but the Life saving doctor really did save my life.As my doctor ran away.This was ocer 40 years ago. I was 19 years old second pregnancy & I had the same thing happen in my first pregnancy & delivery bleeding .The second pregnancy & delivery was a nightmare I bleeded out& the doctor ran away. A special doctor stepped in saved my life Dr Sherman she seriously saved me as I lost all of my blood . Plus I needed all of my blood to be put back in I was in a coma in ICU for a week. Giving birth is a very dangerous thing & done doctors do not know what to do. Then after about three months after I went to see another doctor as When I was in Hospital Dr Sherman & myself & husband talked about myself getting a hysterectomy as it did not matter as I couldn’t ever have another child my wo
In Surrey,Eh ?
Hmm.
TN whose comment is disgusting.
Horrific. I hope she makes a full recovery. This is our great healthcare system “NOT”
Aren’t 3 kids enough?
Would you rather be mutilated or alive.