A woman in Springfield, MA, presents for care, reporting abdominal pain. She states
that the pain began several hours ago, and she believes the cause might be a store-bought
sandwich she had eaten the night before. When questioned by the triage nurse, she
says she has experienced some nausea with vomiting and diarrhea, described as loose
to watery. Her medical history, medications, and allergies are unremarkable. The date
of her last menstrual period is vague, but she denies being pregnant. She rates her
pain as greater than 8 out of 10 and is brought directly to a room. Before the primary
nurse can go into the room, the patient begins screaming. Several staff respond, and
after a quick assessment, they determine the woman is in labor. The baby’s head is
crowning. When asked about her obstetrical history, she acknowledges 2 prior pregnancies,
both vaginal deliveries, with 2 healthy children at home. Twenty minutes later, a
healthy baby girl is born. The placenta is delivered without incident, and the mother
and baby are transferred to the labor and delivery (L&D) unit and nursery department
for further management.
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References
- Massachusetts woman finds out she’s in labor after going to the hospital for abdominal pain.(Published November 6, 2015. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- The evolutionary biology of cryptic pregnancy: a re-appraisal of the “denied pregnancy” phenomenon.Med Hypotheses. 2007; 68: 250-258
- Cryptic pregnancy (“I didn’t know I was pregnant!”).(Updated June 2015. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- Cryptic pregnancy: why some women do not know they are pregnant and about to give birth.(Published November 9, 2015. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- Not your average birth: considering the possibility of denied or concealed pregnancy.BMJ Case Rep. 2014 May 29; 2014https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-204800
- Best evidence: VBAC or repeat C-section.(Updated November 16, 2012. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- Placenta accreta.(Updated August 2015. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- Preeclampsia.(Updated February 4, 2016. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- Obstetrical patients in the emergency department.(Updated May 2011. Accessed March 14, 2016)
- Part 15: neonatal resuscitation: 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care.Circulation. 2010; 122 (http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/122/18_suppl_3/S909.full.pdf+html. Accessed March 14, 2016): S909-S919
Biography
Rosalinda S. Hulse is Education Specialist, Emergency Department, Antelope Valley Hospital, Lancaster, CA.
Biography
Heather Ferrell is Staff Nurse, Antelope Valley Hospital, Lancaster, CA.
Biography
Diane Gurney, Member, Central MA Chapter ENA, is Emergency Nursing Education Professional and Consultant, Athol, MA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 08, 2016
Footnotes
Section Editors: Andi L. Foley, DNP, RN, CEN, ACCNS-AG, and Diane Gurney, MS, RN, CEN, FAEN
Submissions to this column are encouraged and may be sent to
Andi L. Foley, DNP, RN, CEN, ACCNS-AG [email protected]
Or
Diane Gurney, MS, RN, CEN, FAEN [email protected]
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
