[newbloggermom]

My husband dropped our 4-month-old baby on the stairs accidentally last Saturday, and we flew to the emergency room right away. After 2 days and 1 night in the emergency room and Intesive Care Unit we came home. I felt that most of the procedures were unnecessary, and wished that we could have stayed home and observed her at home for a period of time before we rushed to the ER. You can read the whole story on my blog: http://www.thesimplewealth.com/2008/...mergency-room/

[mcmama]

Now that is sort of like what happened in our discussion of one of our members newborns. You can read about it here

When a baby has a head injury, it is certainly best to be in touch with medical professionals, if not the ER. Sometimes the signs of subdural hematoma don't show up until later. Particularly if the baby is drowsy, lethargic, sleeps more than usual - these indicate a problem.

Sorry you had a bad experience with the ER - I think we have all experienced this at one time or another - and you were actually admitted. Having a baby who had surgery, I know how difficult it is to deal with the tubes, tests, etc. And it is painful.

I don't understand why you were not allowed to nurse the baby. My son was hospitalized 3 times in his first six months, and I nursed him - through all the tubes and ivs and stuff. Except for when the surgery was scheduled and his tummy had to be empty, I got to nurse him a lot. Most of the nurses couldn't believe that I would do that, but I did - I stayed 24/7.

Once you are in there, they are afraid that if they tell you to leave and then the baby becomes unstable that she could die. They like to have it under control.

My suggestion is that you call up the patient relations/patient advocacy department, and tell them what happened and ask questions. Waiting around can be really difficult.

That is such a scary experience, and I hope she is ok now!!!

[twinzplus3]

Janet--some times doctors and nurses are a little funny about that. I've had those problems as well, but I'm a good, if not stubborn advocate for my children. I'd always rush to my own pedi first. . .and I'm so sorry that your experience was horrible BUT I have to say that I think it's terrible advice not to seek out medical opinion when a child has a fall like that. Whenever you go to seek medical treatment for your child, you do have the right to refuse what they're offering you. So if they want to do a procedure you don't think is necessary. . .saying no and asking for alternatives will often do the trick.

[MissyChrissy]

I'm glad your little one is ok. I'm sorry you had such a hard time though.

[DivasMomma]

I know it would be hard for me to see the drs poking and proding at my almost 4 month old, but I dont think I would mind being the circumstance. I, myself, fell down the steps the other day (luckily no baby in hand!) and I have a very large and painful bruise on my leg. I couldnt imagine, even as an adult hitting my head! The only way I carry my daughter down the stairs, eve without a scare such as this, is buckeled in her carseat. Thats just one of my biggest fears her falling out of my arms that way. I also dont have steps INSIDE my home either, just ones on the way out the door, so im sure thats a little different then having to buckle her in EVREYTIME i went up and down the steps....

back to my point here tho....They were just doing everything they could to make sure YOUR baby was OK. Its good they did everything, and didnt miss anything, because babies have a funny way of acting "fine" and then a few hours later be in critical condition. I agree with an above statement of calling your ped. first in any case.

I am very happy she is ok! Best wishes, and tell your cat to find a new sleeping place !

[newbloggermom]

Thank you all for your compassion. I do understand that doctors need to make sure everything is fine, but I just think that they tend to do more than they need to.
To Janet, I did get approval from one doctor to nurse my baby after 8 hours, while the other doctor still said no. Next time if my baby needs to stay in hospital ever again, I would just nurse her without asking for approval.

[newbloggermom]

Oh, another thing, about the cat, I talked to my hubby about giving them (we have two cats) away, but he is not willing to. For myself, after I have kids, I didn't have much time for them anymore-well, I don't have much time for myself either-I don't mind giving them away.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by newbloggermom

Next time if my baby needs to stay in hospital ever again, I would just nurse her without asking for approval.

It is always easier to say sorry than to ask for permission. I agree with you. . .that they tend to do more than is necessary to cover their behinds. This is why I like to go to my pedi first. . .she knows me so she knows if she says to watch the baby she can be confident that I in fact understand what I'm looking for and what to do and that I'll do it. But in the ER no such relationship exists and they see all walks of people--thus the 'cover my behind' mentality.

[newbloggermom]

Going to pedi first instead of going to ER is a good idea. I didn't think of that then. Next time I will consider it first. But we are Kaiser members, if I call to make appointment, they will ask the reason for appointment, then they may just say to go to ER.

[Aiden&Alejandros Mommy]

If your family physicain hears that your child fell down the stairs they will make a spot for you. My Aiden fell down 8 steps and I heard the thump of his head...I was too late to do anything but hear him fall down. I called my family physician and they told me to get there ASAP and I got to see the doc right away. I think being a former Nurse myself I would tell people to go to their family physicans first...it is true that we do "cover our butts" when working in a hosp...BUT I can tell you if we didn't we would then have tons of people saying we didn't do enough.