"Follow the trail of blood"

We were at my parents' in NJ when the bleeding started. My first call to the on-call OB was met with reassurance. “One episode of bright red bleeding + clots is ok.” Except it quickly became 4-5 episodes in < 1 hour. The next call – “Go to the nearest ER.” Except that I wanted to be at my hospital with my doctors. I felt ok and the bleeding was intermittent so we took a chance and decided to head to Long Island. Google maps said it would take 1 hour. So off we went. We left Eggy home with grandma. We let my OB's office know we were on the way. I double diapered myself and brought chucks for the ride. I brought my donut pillow to sit on (3rd degree tear …). The last 20 minutes or so were scary. I started bleeding profusely and constantly. I bled through the two diapers, onto the chucks, onto the donut pillow, onto the seat and seat belt. I tell M he may get rich sooner than planned … But I feel fine. I check my pulse, seemed “normal”. We roll up to the ED entrance. The security guard immediately puts me in the wheelchair as blood is spilling out of the passenger seat. M goes to park. I get wheeled into triage and the nurse starts to do intake and looks at the blood pooling below me, “I'll register you later…” then wheels me into the ED directly into a trauma bay – “Crit B”. M parked and when he arrived at the ED entrance looking for me the guard says “Follow the trail of blood.” The usual happens. Vitals are taken. I'm slightly tachy. My BP is high as my body is compensating for the blood loss. 2 x 18 gauge IVs are placed quickly. Blood is sent. My on-call OB arrives. An ultrasound of my uterus is done. 1 unit blood was hung pretty quickly as I am whisked to the OR for emergent D&C for presumed retained parts. I wake up in recovery. I'm getting a second unit. Anesthesia did a great job as I remember nothing and have no pain. The NP examining me notices my engorged breasts and gets me a breast pump. I'm not sure how I managed to pump but I did (with assistance from M). I end up in recovery for several hours since a 3rd unit of blood is given. I finally get wheeled into a room at ~ 4am. Two weeks prior to this, Eggy was born. This sweet moment only lasted a few minutes as I started hemorrhaging after the placenta was delivered (yes I've had not one, but two hemorrhages). After a few minutes of skin to skin with Eggy, I suddenly feel very cold and shiver uncontrollably. Things are a bit of a blur but I remember the room being suddenly full of doctors and nurses – the “OB crash team” so to speak. Another IV is placed. I see M in the corner holding Eggy. I'm getting shots to stop the bleeding. M later tells me blood was pouring out and was all over the floor. I turned white including my lips. I received two blood transfusions. After 5 blood transfusion in two weeks, it seems like more blood is foreign than mine. A 10lb sand bag is placed over my uterus to contract it. These recent experiences taught me that life is precious. I'm grateful I didn't have a home birth (was never a “dream” of mine). I'm grateful for the doctors (shout out to my OB – good friend from medical school) and nurses that took care of me.]]>