Justice for Camryn: A Mother's Heartbreak

CAMRYN AZAIRE C.

A name that will never be forgotten

A name that will always be remembered.

I am the mother of a baby that was taken too soon due to doctors’ negligence. The doctors did not keep me informed about any birthing plans they had for me. I had to make life-altering decisions while in labor after being in the hospital for about a week. Since I had to be hospitalized, I should have been more informed about my pregnancy and birthing plans. This was my first pregnancy, and I made sure everyone who entered my room knew that. I only had the knowledge the doctors provided me with, and they only stopped by for only 20 to 40 seconds on their morning runs during my stay.

My name is Asia. I am here to bring awareness to everything leading up to and after the traumatic labor and delivery of my baby at a local Hospital, resulting in the death of our baby, Camryn. My pregnancy was high risk due to having a short cervix. During my labor process, my baby was in a breech position. A C-section should’ve been the only option, but my baby was so low, and my doctor said the only complication is the baby’s head could become stuck, but she followed with saying two big pushes, mama, and baby will come out. She said this about three times to me. I felt it would be okay. My mother asked if the baby’s head became stuck, we would still have to do a C-section, and the doctor told her yes. My mom was against having a vaginal delivery with the baby being breeched. After a while, Camryn’s head became stuck. My female OB tried a couple of things that didn’t work, and with no luck, she called another OB into the delivery room without informing me. He suddenly inserted the instrument, causing pain. I instinctively moved in response, at which point the (Unknown male) doctor told me to “be quiet and stay still.” Knowing how critical it was to safely deliver my baby, I tried my best to remain still. Moments later, I heard him yell and then remove the instrument from my body. His second try, he gashed open Camryn’s head with a medical utensil. (The whole time he was reaching over the OB.) Both OBs exchanged words, and I believe they started to panic. Following that, the original female OB attempted to make an incision to ease the delivery. Her first cut was downward, which the male doctor immediately complained was incorrect. He instructed her to make the incision sideways instead. During the confusion and tension, the male doctor raised his hands in frustration and abruptly left the room, even though my baby had still not been delivered. Once my baby was delivered, the NICU rushed him upstairs. Once I made it to my next room, my nurse came back and told me my baby coded, but they are performing CPR, so she rushed me upstairs to the NICU where we stayed for about 6 to 7 hours. Throughout that time, my baby continued to code. Eventually, the results from the MRI came back, confirming that my baby had bleeding in his brain. There was no movement, and it was now medically determined that he was brain dead. The NICU doctor told me, "If you want to hold your baby boy while he still has a heartbeat, now would be the time." My mother and I were both in the NICU room as my son took his final breath. The doctor carefully wrapped him for transport and allowed me to hold him in my arms as we returned to my original room. There, my nurses had prepared a Cuddle Cot, giving me the space and time to grieve and be close to him. As I sat with him, reality began to set in, and though my emotions were intense, I still couldn’t fully grasp the weight of what had just happened and why. If I had known then what I know now, my baby would be here. A C-section would be the only option, but medical staff went to school to know what we don’t. It’s their job. My baby is gone, and what we went through could’ve been prevented. Even after our baby passed, the doctors didn’t respect our wishes. I’m determined to fight for my baby, but I’m in a difficult situation due to Florida’s malpractice laws. It’s unlikely that a lawyer will take on my baby’s case. The law has restrictions on the percentage lawyers can receive on malpractice cases. To me, there’s no amount of money that’s worth my baby’s life; it’s the way those doctors treated us. Neither doctor came back and checked on us or even acknowledged us. Even after our baby passed, the doctor did not follow our wishes to have an autopsy done. After we signed and ensured all staff knew we wanted an autopsy, the doctors wouldn’t sign off on the autopsy and released Camryn to the funeral home, only for him to have to be brought back to the hospital so it could be completed. They were just trying to toss us to the side like nothing. All proceeds will be used to establish a foundation for babies who succumb to doctors’ negligence. The funds will also support attorneys and individuals who will raise awareness about our loss and help us seek justice. Any amount you're willing to contribute is appreciated, and if you aren't able to contribute money at this time, a share with your friends and family would mean the world to us as well as our story will reach out to more people.

Justice for Camryn Azaire C.