Private Practice — ABC

Season 3, Episode 18

8 medical diagnoses portrayed

Also known as: Persistent vegetative state

Prolonged mechanical ventilationLoss of medical power of attorney conflict

Kayla is in a coma while carrying triplets as a surrogate. Her husband Eddie wants to withdraw life support, but the biological parents and hospital oppose this, leading to a legal battle. At episode's end, she begins breathing on her own after Eddie briefly disconnects the ventilator.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Kayla Lindy

Recurring storyline

Triplet pregnancymajor

Also known as: Triplets

Maternal comaPrematurity riskLegal custody conflict

Kayla is carrying triplets as a surrogate at 20 weeks gestation. The fetuses are not yet viable outside the womb, creating ethical conflict when her husband seeks to withdraw life support. A judge rules the pregnancy must continue until viability.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Kayla Lindy (surrogate for Angie and Simon)

Recurring storyline

Shoulder dystociamajor

Also known as: Baby stuck during delivery

Clavicle fracture (intentional)Risk of brachial plexus injury

Robin goes into preterm labor at home and the baby's shoulder becomes stuck in the birth canal during delivery. Dell performs a Woods screw maneuver, intentionally fracturing the baby's clavicle to free the shoulder and successfully deliver the baby.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Robin (mother) and Milo (newborn)

Preterm labormajor

Also known as: Early labor

Home delivery without medical equipmentShoulder dystocia

Robin, who has been on bed rest for preterm labor risk, goes into labor at home at approximately 8 months gestation after lifting her daughter. She delivers at home with Dell's assistance, complicated by shoulder dystocia.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Robin

Upper respiratory infectionsupporting

Also known as: Cold

FeverNasal congestionTransmission to caregiver

Lucas has a cold with fever and nasal congestion. Addison cares for him overnight while Pete is also sick, struggling to comfort him and clear his airways. This subplot explores Addison's insecurities about motherhood.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Lucas (Pete's son)

Upper respiratory infectionsupporting

Also known as: Cold

FeverMalaise

Pete becomes ill with the same cold as his son Lucas, developing fever and feeling unwell. Addison cares for both of them, with Pete isolating himself in the guest room.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Pete

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosissupporting

Also known as: ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease

It is revealed that William (Naomi's boyfriend) has traveled to Switzerland for treatment of ALS, a terminal degenerative neurological disease. Fife informs Naomi of this diagnosis after she sleeps with him, creating moral conflict about ending her relationship with William.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: William

Recurring storyline

Clavicle fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken collarbone

Dell intentionally fractures the newborn's clavicle during a Woods screw maneuver to free the shoulder during a complicated home delivery with shoulder dystocia. This is presented as a necessary intervention to save the baby's life.

Private Practice — S03E18Patient: Milo (newborn)