While working in the SICU one evening we received a motor vehicle accident involving a pregnant woman and husband. I don't remember what or how the accident happened. She was about 7 or 8 months into the pregnancy.

She received some injury to her head. Most of the other injuries were minor. The baby was ok. We were waiting to send her to surgery for a crainotomy to see the extent of the head injury. She went into labor which advanced rapidily. She was thrashing around in the bed and it was so hard to keep her in the bed. The Doctor ordered 10mg of valium to help calm her down so as not further injure herself or the baby.We were ordered to send her to L&D after the medication was given.

She was in the delivery room for a short time. The nurse of L&D called to let us know that the patient would be coming back to us. I asked what about the baby. The nurse then told me that the baby died of oversedation.

I gave that shot. Everyone told me that it was not my fault and that I followed orders like any one else would have. I cried for days it seemed. Why did this happen? That day still haunts me today. There is no answer to the whys. Time does ease the pain some, then something I see or hear reminds me of that terrible day.