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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have taken my baby to emergency

162 replies

NeedingAGoodNap · 23/04/2021 13:19

Our 8 month old daughter was feeling very unwell. She had a temp of around 40.3 and her breathing was very fast. It was 2am in the morning and we didn’t know what to do so we jumped in the car to take her to emergency. The triage nurse did some tests and found that her temp, breathing and heart rate were all very high so she admitted us straight away.

The doctor seemed confused as to why we were there and thought it was obvious that it was a virus and we should have just treated at home. They monitored and gave her pain relief for 4 - 5 hours until her heart rate we back in a normal range and then sent us home.

Where we unreasonable to take her in? It’s not like she can talk and tell us why she is so upset and unwell

OP posts:
Greenbks · 23/04/2021 13:22

It may be obvious to a dr but you’re not medical professionals and as parents you want to do the right thing and keep your child safe.

Better to be safe than sorry.

FizzyApricot · 23/04/2021 13:23

The doctor has seen lots of babies but you have only known your baby for 8 weeks so won't have the experience. Don't beat yourself up about it- it's better to be cautious. You could try 111 next time if you wanted but there is a lot to be said for maternal instinct and if something doesn't feel right it is worth checking it out. Triage nurse admitted you so you wouldn't have queue jumped etc.

FizzyApricot · 23/04/2021 13:24

They wouldn't have monitored her just for fun either, if they thought you didn't need to be there they would have discharged her.

MySocalledLoaf · 23/04/2021 13:26

I quite often take my son when his breathing changes. Sometimes he has dangerously low oxygen saturation and sometimes he doesn’t, but without a medical degree or any equipment I can’t tell.
They triaged your daughter and admitted her so it seems like she was in the right place.
I would usually give paracetamol for a fever and wait an hour before going if the baby didn’t have retractions, though.

Oilpyi · 23/04/2021 13:27

Some doctors just have poor bedside manner, I wouldn’t dwell.
I was once really patronised by a junior doctor in A&E before my middle one was admitted for 6 days 🤷‍♀️

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 23/04/2021 13:28

I'd always err on the side of caution with a baby that young, they cant tell you what's the matter, you dont know what's normal for them when they're ill and how they cope, and they can go downhill fast. I think you did the right thing given the age

sbhydrogen · 23/04/2021 13:28

I would definitely have taken her to the hospital!

Ours has a temp of 39.9°C on Tuesday and we took her to A&E at midnight because we were so concerned about her. She's still not well, I hope yours is doing better.

Bluntness100 · 23/04/2021 13:29

Some doctors are just twats. Of course you did the right thing.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 23/04/2021 13:29

This might help if it happens again www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

MaMaD1990 · 23/04/2021 13:29

You did the right thing, don't let the Dr's demeanour put you off ever doing the same again. He will of course know its viral, there is no way you'd know that. I work with Dr's and its unfortunately not uncommon for them to treat people non-medically trained like their stupid. Well done for taking her in and getting her checked over, I hope she feels better soon.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 23/04/2021 13:30

Yanbu.

In my experience the junior doctors you see in the middle of the night are crap for this. I saw one who reacted similarly.... then completely misdiagnosed my daughter and let her vomit her way to dehydration before taking me seriously.

The best doctors I've encountered are those who are respectful to parents who have to make that essential decision as to whether to take a child to hospital not. I dont know if perhaps such doctors are ones who have seen how quickly things can go wrong with babies, and understand that its ALWAYS better to err on the side of caution.

CrazyTitsLiz · 23/04/2021 13:30

Always take your baby if that's what you think.

Shocking attitude from the doctor, which could lead to genuine emergencies being missed.

l2b2 · 23/04/2021 13:34

Did you give your baby any paracetamol at home first? If you didn't, then that may explain why the doctor looked puzzled.

Cam2020 · 23/04/2021 13:34

YANBU.

Contrary to common belief, the NHS is not free, it's paid for through taxes - you had every right to go. Some Drs seem to think seeing people is an inconvenience.

PerspicaciousGreen · 23/04/2021 13:35

You weren't unreasonable at all. I've never had to go to A&E but took my firstborn to the GP several times for "nothing". They were always very nice about it. I don't think I am more relaxed with the second born but she just never seems to get ill whereas he runs a temperature for anything, sometimes truly alarmingly high.

I've found 111 to be useless for advice. They always say if you're worried, go to A&E. But they can get you "secret" short notice GP appointments. I do try to decide during office hours whether I think it's likely to get so bad overnight that I'll want to see someone so I can just see the GP, but YANBU. It's so much easier now DS is three and can talk!!!

Jubaju · 23/04/2021 13:38

You did the right thing- but high temp and breathing issues might have been a covid symptom and probably should have checked with 111 before going to go a&e

HippeePrincess · 23/04/2021 13:39

I wouldn’t have even with pfb, would have tried paracetamol first unless there were other worrying signs.

MaMaD1990 · 23/04/2021 13:40

@l2b2

Did you give your baby any paracetamol at home first? If you didn't, then that may explain why the doctor looked puzzled.
I'd be more puzzled if she didn't take her baby in with breathing issues to be honest.
Thatwentbadly · 23/04/2021 13:40

I wouldn’t have taken a baby for a sudden temp, I would give calpol or nurofen and monitor but for fast breathing I would have rang 111 for an out of hours appointment or taken them to A and E. I was told by a lovely paediatrician “If Mum is worried then I’m worried.” Always trust your instinct and seek medical advice if your unsure.

bestbefore · 23/04/2021 13:41

Without even reading your op I say not unreasonable

l2b2 · 23/04/2021 13:42

Pain and fever cause increased respiratory rate and pulse.
That's why it's so important to get paracetamol into your child ASAP.

MaMaD1990 · 23/04/2021 13:43

@l2b2

Pain and fever cause increased respiratory rate and pulse. That's why it's so important to get paracetamol into your child ASAP.
That's interesting, I had no idea. Probably why I'd take my baby into A&E - you don't know what you don't know!
sipsmith1 · 23/04/2021 13:43

I took my 9 month old daughter to A&E (on the advice of 111) after she vomited in her sleep and inhaled it. She was wheezing badly and coughing. By the time we saw the nurse it had largely subsided. The nurse however announced to the doctor on the other side of the curtain that there was nothing wrong and kindly added ‘first time parent.’ The doctor was thankfully lovely but some healthcare professionals need to develop some manners or at least remember curtains aren’t soundproof barriers.

HectorHalloumi · 23/04/2021 13:47

Of course yanbu OP, some drs are twats. You absolutely did the right thing, you can't take any chances with babies.

Hope your little one is feeling better now Thanks

Crappyfridays7 · 23/04/2021 13:50

That’s awful re dr, you wonder what the problem is? Young babies need to be seen if they have a high temperature, I think if a parent of a child is worried then they should seek help!!. I am a paeds nurse and I’ve looked after some very poorly babies.

I triage kids depending what side I’m on at work and so many parents apologise for bringing their child in. DO NOT apologise for worrying and caring and not knowing what to do!!. I’d rather see your child and see them sent home that day than special them whilst I wait for a retrieval team from PICU because a dr once made you feel bad for bringing a sick baby to be checked!!.

I would also say, if you’re sent home and you’re still worrying and you’re not sure what to do, phone back ask to be seen again. Do follow advice given though, give sugary juice, antibiotics, paracetamol/ibuprofen or whatever you’ve been advised to do and if you’re still not happy we are here 24/7 a&e is open etc it really worries me when I hear people saying
They made me feel like I was wasting their time
The nurse rolled her eyes at us
We were made to feel like an inconvenience
It’s goes on and on. I’m a parent, I have been the mum on the ward with my sick child (ds2 hurt his hip) ds3 was in NICU, ds4 has many issues and has been hospitalised a fair few times. So I do understand your worry and upset. Don’t be afraid to phone for help.
As your baby gets older op, you’ll know more easily when to call for help and what you can manage at home, your child will also be able to communicate with you and your confidence will grow but as a mum of a baby under 1 id always get them checked with a fever that high, hope she’s better soon op.

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