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self discharge of a child in scbu

10 replies

louisekensett · 07/07/2014 15:14

I gave birth to a little girl on 19th june 2014 who was 40+6 weeks. Due to a traumatic birth she was admitted to scbu due to breathing and feeding difficulties.. it was discovered she had a swelling on the brain but all other tests have come back clear and now swelling has gone. She now breathes normally and feeds well but due to static weight they will not let her come home. She is 18 days old and now weighs 8lb 15.5oz. Can you self discharge as I feel she is a healthy weight and their only issue is that although she has gained weight twice, the third time she stayed static so back to square one with daily reviews and no discharge date.. anyone able to help with this? Many thanks

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MagpieMama · 07/07/2014 15:21

I remember the frustration of just wanting to take my baby home and feeling like the doctors were obsessed with arbitrary numbers (for us it was how many ml of milk he could keep down from his ng tube, which stopped being an issue when we established breastfeeding, just seems so silly).
I had to keep telling myself that they wouldn't keep him for no good reason and that I should trust the doctors.
Have you told the doctors in charge of your baby's care how you're feeling?

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louisekensett · 07/07/2014 15:40

I havent but only because I was told by a nurse over the weekend we would definitely be taking her home today and then we turn up today and they have changed their minds. I am getting confused as one person says one thing and when we ask questions we dont get a simple answer. I don't even know what they think is wrong. Thank ypu for the response I feel a million miles away from family and friends right now and I have a little boy to consider as well so balancing is stressful x

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MagpieMama · 07/07/2014 17:53

That all sounds so familiar! I remember how heartbreaking it feels, so sorry you're going through it
I'd suggest waiting for the next time the doctors are doing rounds/handover and asking to speak to them, explain how you're feeling and ask all the questions you need.
I think the doctors don't always grasp how you feel as a new Mum when your baby is in NICU/SCBU as it's just every day to them, but they do want what's best for your little one.
I hope you have your baby home with you soon but I'm happy to keep talking if you need it.
Make sure you're taking care of yourself too, it can be easy to forget yourself with so much going on but your baby needs you well.

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HauntedNoddyCar · 07/07/2014 18:00

I doubt this is true but when I wanted to take Ds home I was told by one of the nursery nurses that if I tried to leave with him, they would involve the police and social services.

It was infuriating and eventually we got out when 2 of the nurses colluded with me.

Mind you the same woman told me he'd be back in hospital if I was stupid enough to breastfeed. I was. He didn't

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BumpAndGrind · 07/07/2014 18:02

I don't think they would keep him unless they felt he needed it.

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louisekensett · 08/07/2014 13:15

Thank you for the advice and well wishes. I wouldnt mind her staying in but its the fact that when I ask questions I get different answers and she has done what they wanted her to do. Spoken to a doctor properly today after advice from magpiemama and have got more clear answers and what is now expected so fingers crossed all this will be over soon x

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MagpieMama · 08/07/2014 18:04

Glad you got somewhere with the doctors! Hope you get to take your baby home soon, keep us updated if you can

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louisekensett · 08/07/2014 19:34

May find out tomorrow so will try and let you know :) thank you for the support and help

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DebH1975 · 08/07/2014 19:53

See if you can have a chat with the consultant during ward rounds. When my DD was in SCBU they had said she could leave on the Monday then one of the nurses changed her mind cause she wasn't gaining weight quick enough. I was distraught - I had been so looking forward to getting home (at that stage there wasn't anything wrong with her she was just small). Anyway I had a chat with the consultant during ward rounds (I was fortunate that it was the head consultant doing rounds that day) and he said that I should go home if I felt ready ... So we did - was so good to get home.