Penny's Account

Illegal Post Pregnancy Hysterectomy after Elective Caesarean from England

(Total Abdominal Hysterectomy)

Penny had her first child as an emergency caesarean. She wished to have a vaginal birth for her second. She was told that the risk of uterine rupture was 96%. This is NOT accurate more like 0.06% however some doctors are not very good with the truth, consequently she felt she had little choice. When it came to her third she still wished to give birth however she was told that she could give birth 'if you wish to leave your children without a mother'. Again not very helpful or unbiased information! She felt she had no choice but to agree. They asked her if she wished to be steralised at the same time. She told them again that she had not completed her family and said NO!

She then was carrying her fourth. She again wished to give birth however was told that she had placenta previa grade 4. Interesting as I understand from very good midwives that you can only have grade 4 in labour. She was told she had to have a caesarean. She had told the doctor that she wanted more children.

About a week or so before the caesarean the doctor discussed several issues with her and asked her if she was married to her partner. (WHY?!) He also mentioned the risk of hysterectomy. She was extremely shocked at this and said no. When the doctor left she was very upset and tried to talk with the midwife who said that it was such a small risk and to go home and not to think of it.

She went home and was crying to her partner that is was not what she wanted for could deal with.

The day of the caesarean came and the baby was 'extracted '. The doctors then claim that she was bleeding. He put his head over the 'tent' and said 'I am going to take out your uterus'. She started crying and shouting 'NO'. She was restrained in some way. She tried to get information from the doctor who ignored her. (Another doctor that had been compassionate to her walked out of theatre as the hysterectomy began). She asked the anesthetist what was happening and he said he did not know.

When she realised they were ignoring her and she could feel the tugging at her organs she begged to be put to sleep, they refused.

She was treated with very little respect she must have had some form of infection after wards as he abdomen swelled up SO much.

Previous to her caesarean there was another woman on the ward that had booked a cesarean hysterectomy. When she saw the state that Penny was in she changed her mind and only had the caesarean. So that was obviously completely necessary then!

When Penny said she was going to find this particular woman she was warned in no uncertain terms not to go near her. Fortunately it was the lady and her husband that found Penny.

Penny has had no real answers from the hospital even though she did mange to have a meeting. She had to insist that the doctor be there and he just treated her with contempt and just offered her a drink and left as soon as he could. Unfortunately her patient liaison person was no help what so ever.

She had not completed her family and still finds the whole event and consequences very hard.

In the UK this is COMPLETELY ILLEGAL. No means NO from a person over 18 years of age, regardless of the consequences.