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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call an ambulance for my baby?

228 replies

Kanfuzed123 · 24/12/2021 23:52

So my baby is 3 weeks and caught the horrid cold I had at delivery. Day 10 and 14 midwife and HV said he seems ok but watch out for retraction, as colds can become bronchilitis, if he starts retracting he needs to get to a and e asap. He looked worse today, couldn’t get to see GP so sent a video, GP said he seems ok but monitor. Tonight he started retracting more significantly and he’s been so sleepy, falling asleep in feeds. So I went to take him to hospital but my fucking car won’t start, and an error message has come up on the dashboard. Ubers keep cancelling and the only taxi firm answering have more than an hr wait.

I should call an ambulance right? I don’t want to over react and drain NHS but equally my little boy is struggling

OP posts:
JingleBeth · 25/12/2021 00:48

Yes yes yes. This happened to my 8 month old a few weeks ago. 111 blue lighted an ambulance to us who took him to the hospital. Please call.

Hope baby is ok.

EbonanzaScrooge · 25/12/2021 00:50

As someone who had worked with the ambulance service you have honestly done the right thing.

Yes they will be busy but they would much rather come to a small baby who didn’t need them than not go.

Hope he picks up soon{flowers}

elfycat · 25/12/2021 00:50

Can you pack a bag with essentials for you and your baby just in case. Phone, charger, snacks, clothing for you both for 24+ hours (comfy). A book or something to occupy you.

Think through what you might want or need if you have to wait to be seen, or hang out on a ward for a night and Xmas day (honestly let me emphasise snacks and drinks here...)

JingleBeth · 25/12/2021 00:50

Sorry, just saw your update and that you called. It was an 18 minute wait for us for the ambulance, as my baby also had respiratory issues caused by bronchiolitis.

JingleBeth · 25/12/2021 00:54

@elfycat

Can you pack a bag with essentials for you and your baby just in case. Phone, charger, snacks, clothing for you both for 24+ hours (comfy). A book or something to occupy you.

Think through what you might want or need if you have to wait to be seen, or hang out on a ward for a night and Xmas day (honestly let me emphasise snacks and drinks here...)

Also, they might not let both parents stay, so you should be prepared for that.

In the moment, I was so upset that DH couldn’t stay with us when our baby wasn’t well, but in the end I didn’t sleep at all all night that having DH home and trying to rest meant he could take over when he came to the hospital in the morning and I could go home and try and get some rest.

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 25/12/2021 00:54

It’s been an hour and nothing. Might have been better off with the taxi at this rate

OP posts:
Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 25/12/2021 00:56

We’ve got a toddler upstairs in bed so it would be just me going in with baby, he’s breastfed too so will be all on me.

Luckily I made a start on x mas dinner today so it’s all prepped

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TulipsGarden · 25/12/2021 00:57

Yes, absolutely the right thing to do. I hope you don't have to wait too long. Mine was in at 10 weeks with bronchiolitis, it's so scary and even now with a toddler I'm watching for retractions as soon as he gets a cold. He has asthma inhalers now which help a lot.

I've taken him in for retractions a few times - sometimes he's been put on oxygen, sometimes they stop as soon as we get there and he's fine. No-one will ever mind checking out a child with breathing problems, and absolutely not ever a tiny baby.

MerryChristmas21 · 25/12/2021 00:58

You did the right thing. I hope they're with you now & DS is on the mend soon!! It's scary when they're so tiny!!

I’m feel so fucking guilty it was my stupid cold that’s made him like this

Don't be daft! Colds are colds, it's not like you went out & bought it to give to him!!

A nice quiet day at home tomorrow!!

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 25/12/2021 01:01

Nope still not here :(

OP posts:
JingleBeth · 25/12/2021 01:03

@Kanfuzed123

Nope still not here :(
Don’t worry, baby most likely needs just you right now. When we went in, they observed DS for a few hours before giving him oxygen and inserting a tube for feeding (so he doesn’t overfeed or waste energy on breastfeeding), so the delay is unlikely to cause any issues.
ThirdElephant · 25/12/2021 01:12

Oh bless you, what a horrible way to spend Christmas Eve. I hope everything is OK.

Xmasfairy86 · 25/12/2021 01:13

Do not feel guilty! new babies can deteriorate quickly so you’ve done the right thing. Even if they turn around and say he’s fine, like others have said, they won’t mind, a lot is down to reassurance.

greyinganddecaying · 25/12/2021 01:14

When I was in a similar position I was told the ambulance could take a while & I should phone again if I was getting concerned that they'd still not arrived.

I don't know if that's the accepted thing to do, but worth considering.

stmw123 · 25/12/2021 01:32

How is the breathing now?

whatausername · 25/12/2021 01:36

They'll be coming as quickly as they can. If he seems worse try calling them again. Hopefully he'll be right as rain in no time!

lunar1 · 25/12/2021 01:40

A taxi company will usually prioritise you in this circumstance. Try a local one rather than Uber.

myyellowcar · 25/12/2021 01:42

I agree with @lunar1, there’s nothing wrong with ringing an ambulance but as it hasn’t turned up yet I’d plead with a local taxi company to see if they could bump you up the queue.

HappyDays40 · 25/12/2021 01:43

I think I'd ring a taxi too just to be sure. If the taxi arrives you can cancel the ambulance.

Eggshausted · 25/12/2021 01:51

Hope you won’t have to wait too long and that he’s ok

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 25/12/2021 02:00

They came a few mins after I posted the update. He was retracting pretty badly, the paramedics were shocked the GP said this was ok, they’ve taken us to the children’s hospital but his obs look good, just want him checked over to make sure he’s not on a downward trajectory.

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JunieSpoony · 25/12/2021 02:13

Very glad they’ve seen him, OP. He’s in good hands now. Flowers

sofakingcool · 25/12/2021 02:13

Hope all is ok and you get out quickly x

rach2713 · 25/12/2021 02:14

Aww im glad you rang them and are at the hospital its the best place to be for him and you x

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 25/12/2021 02:21

Thank you for the advice and handhold everyone! Hope all that celebrate have a lovely Christmas! Xxx

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