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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take newborn to A&E?

33 replies

curiousuze · 07/01/2013 16:55

I tipped the pram with my 4 week old baby in it over on its side a couple of hours ago. It didn't go over with a crash, but quite slowly because I was holding it at the time but the front wheel caught on a step and I wasn't strong enough to keep it upright.

He didn't fall out and was in the padded carry cot in his pram suit, tucked in tightly. He was awake but didn't cry at all, and has been fine since - alert, playing in his baby gym, feeding, wetting nappies, and now snoring in his Moses basket.

I phoned NHS Direct and they said it was best to take him in to my GP straight away, or if not then the paediatric A&E. I phoned GP surgery but they couldn't see me, however they thought the baby would be 'absolutely fine'. Now I'm not sure what to do. The A&E dept at my local hospital is always a complete nightmare and last time I was there it took 6 hours to be seen.

OP posts:
slartybartfast · 07/01/2013 16:57

nhs direct often suggest a and e, they wouldnt know . who did you speak to at gp surgery?

slartybartfast · 07/01/2013 16:57

does your baby have any symptos at all?

FrankWippery · 07/01/2013 16:58

I wouldn't. Assuming from your post that head wasn't bumped and all is fine and dandy A&E would be a waste of time.

elliejjtiny · 07/01/2013 17:02

DS1 fell off the changing mat at 8 months old, landed in the (full) washing basket and got a little red mark on his forehead from the edge of the basket. In a slight panic (In my defence I had PND and he was my PFB) I rang NHS direct and the nurse said to take him to A and E. I dutifully took him and the dr there made me feel like a total idiot for doing it. Was it a receptionist who said the baby would be fine or a health professional? Can you try and ring the HV?

Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:03

Person I spoke to at GP surgery was the receptionist, I'm pretty sure. Do they have some training?

He doesn't have any symptoms at all, if I hadn't been there I wouldn't know it had happened IYSWIM. I checked him for marks when I changed him but couldn't see anything. As far as I can tell he didn't bump his head (although i could be wrong) he just kind of slid to the side. He's responding to me normally.

OP posts:
georgedawes · 07/01/2013 17:03

I'd just keep an eye on him.

Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:05

Ellie just tried calling the health visitor but they're not picking up - as usual!

OP posts:
Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:07

Oh and this is my PFB too! I am an anxious basket case at all times...

OP posts:
Weasleyismyking · 07/01/2013 17:14

When my 7 month old fell down the stairs, he stopped crying quite quickly and I checked him over (all fingers and limbs seemed to move without causing pain), then I spoke to the duty GP - NOT the receptionist - who said to keep an eye on him for any signs of concussion such as vomiting, sleeping more than expected, etc. I did and he was fine. Took me weeks to get over it!
I know a newborn is a lot more delicate but it doesn't sound like you DS hit his head and is otherwise unharmed so maybe just keep an eye on him. Obviously he will be sleeping a lot though, he's a newborn!
Hope he's fine, you certainly deserve a Wine for shock!
I'm told feeling guilty is a part of parenting Smile

specialsubject · 07/01/2013 17:18

sounds like he was lowered gently to the ground strapped into a pram.

he's fine. You said he is behaving normally and didn't even cry. Take him to A and E and risk coming home with norovirus!

wait until you first drop him or he goes A over T down a few steps. Admittedly he will be bigger then but they are pretty rough.

specialsubject · 07/01/2013 17:19

I mean 'they are tough'. Why can't we edit posts?

Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:20

Oh Weasley, poor you!

Going to stay at home for now (partly because going to hospital means I'd have to put him back in that SODDING pram) and see what husband thinks when he gets home. Then I'm going to bawl my eyes out...

OP posts:
Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:23

Agreed special - last time I was in that A&E dept it was like 'Outbreak' or something.

I'm not looking forward to the a over t days - we have very steep stairs, argh!

OP posts:
SamSmalaidh · 07/01/2013 17:23

So your baby didn't fall out of a pram, didn't cry, isn't in pain, isn't marked or bruised and has no symptoms of concussion..?

Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:29

Correct. I felt that he was probably ok but NHS direct have put the shitters up me

OP posts:
propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 07/01/2013 17:39

From how you have described it, no I would not go to a&e. it sounds like baby was securely straped in and did not fall out/ have any contact with the floor. If your baby seems 100% himself and not distressed at all then yanbu to simply keep a close eye on him at home.

Original poster
curiousuze · 07/01/2013 17:47

I think my only concern is that I can't be 100% he didn't bang his head, other than he didn't cry etc. Second guessing myself! Dammit. Maybe I should recreate the fall with a teddy bear crash test dummy?

OP posts:
DonnaDoon · 07/01/2013 17:53

OP You are his mum you know if he is not himself..I know of someone whos 4wk old rolled out of bed..they whipped him to a and e in a panic...no obvious signs of injury..so no xrays etc..told to keep a close eye on him...but was told that social services would be informed.

lljkk · 07/01/2013 17:55

I wouldn't take him.

Amytheflag · 07/01/2013 17:55

An a & e doc told me that nhs direct have to say take the baby to docs or a & e if they are under six (I think!) months old. He said they do it regardless because of the age.

He also said that all nhs direct do sit and eat crisps all day though so not sure if you want to quote me on that!

elizaregina · 07/01/2013 17:57

we had a minor car crash a few weeks ago hit another car - ambulance didnt even look into NB eyes or anythying - said she would have been fine in car seat....

also dd fell off table when quite young once and called ambulance out but she was fine...

KatAndKit · 07/01/2013 17:59

My baby DID fall out of his pram and he didn't need to go to A&E (fell onto sand though and was 4 months old). If he is ok and did not actually sustain a fall then I would certainly not go to A&E and wait for 6 hours and catch norovirus or whatever.

newtonupontheheath · 07/01/2013 18:10

My SIL tripped over DD's carrycot when she was 2 weeks old. Dd rolled up the side if it (but not out) and had a little mark from a zipper on her face
We didn't take her to a&e...

(It's a whole other thread how a 30 odd year old woman managed to trip over a carrycot that a toddler had negotiated just fine)

JustFabulous · 07/01/2013 18:14

Would you go if they wait was 12 hours and you felt he was injured?

twinklesparkles · 07/01/2013 18:14

Keep an eye on him am sure he's fine

He was in a padded strapped seat. He didn't bang or hit is body/head or anything. He sounds fine :)

I once typed in mild cold/flu symptoms into NHS checker..
They told me I was having heart complications and to ring a ambulance immediately

I was fine.. I just had the sniffles! Lol