Womb or Tomb

Childbirth is almost always a wonderful and joyous experience. Parents often begin planning for their baby before they are pregnant. They develop their birth plan and look forward to holding their perfect baby. Sometimes this is just not what happens. Something may occur at conception or during the pregnancy, which causes their joy to shatter, and they experience the most dreadful grief. There are some occasions when problems arise during labor. Although an infrequent occurrence, it adds sorrow and anger to the situation. The case study presented here is that kind of happening. There were mistakes made in recognition of deterioration of the fetal well-being. This lack of recognition and treatment resulted in death of the long awaited baby who would have added joy and not grief to this family.