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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did I do the right thing?

30 replies

WhenSunnyGetsBlue · 13/09/2024 08:16

I had a trip in the ambulance with my 6 month old daughter yesterday evening and am feeling guilty that I overreacted and wasted the doctor's time. What would you have done?

6:30pm. My daughter was fast asleep on my then suddenly out of nowhere started projectile vomiting like nothing I've ever seen. She looked very pale and in shock. No crying. I got her out of her clothes and onto the bath. She was a bit floppy in the bath head drooping down, eyes were rolling a bit. I was obviously concerned as this is out of character. Got her dry and changed and the the vomiting started again. At this point I called 111. Spoke to out of hours and they said to keep an eye on her, someone would call later but to call 999 if she got worse. Shortly after she began to heave, her whole face when red like a tomato, she went completely floppy in my arms. She then vomited again but now it is mostly clear fluid.

I just freaked out and called 999. More vomiting on the phone. I was by myself with her. No car or anything so it would have been a 30 minute journey on the bus to A&E.

She didn't look herself at all. Was just staring into space. Paramedics were fab, they checked her over but wanted to take her in because she is so tiny. She was spacey in the ambulance but after an hour started to perk up, got her colour back and was sticking her tongue out at the doctors. They wanted to see if she could keep down a feed, which she did, no trouble. We went home after a couple of hours.

Looking back I probably overreacted. But I was just so scared, nothing like that has ever happened before. What would you have done?

She is fine this morning, apart from some especially rancid nappies. She probably just picked up a bug from somewhere.

OP posts:
JellyMouldJnr · 13/09/2024 08:20

You did the right thing - the fact the paramedics brought her in shows that. Babies change very quickly-for better or worse - when they’re ill, always worth being careful.

Saintmariesleuth · 13/09/2024 08:20

Floppy children are a major cause for concern. You sought help and got your daughter checked over ASAP, in line with the advice you were given. The paramedics even agreed that she required closer monitoring.

You have nothing to feel guilty about. I'm glad your daughter is feeling better.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 13/09/2024 08:21

You did exactly the right thing.

Don’t doubt yourself, you’ve got this.

shivermetimbers77 · 13/09/2024 08:21

No you didn’t overreact OP. I’m very pleased it turned out to not be serious but at that age it easily can, so you did the right thing. Hope you feel ok and try to rest as much as you can. I imagine you’re exhausted today 💐

teenmaw · 13/09/2024 08:22

If you felt it was a genuine emergency in the moment then you did the right thing, that's what they're there for. Better over cautious than regret not acting

hby9628 · 13/09/2024 08:22

You absolutely did the right thing. It must have been very scary. Hope she is okay xx

Anonym00se · 13/09/2024 08:22

You did the right thing, just be happy that she’s okay. I remember 30 years ago my DS had a virus and fell unconscious. He was rushed in with suspected meningitis. By the time the paediatrician came down to see him, he’d made a miraculous recovery and was bouncing on the bed, singing his head off! The paediatrician was furious and demanded to know why he was there. Luckily the nurse backed me up and explained his condition on arrival. Kids are funny, they can deteriorate very suddenly but recover just as quickly. I hope she’s much better today. x

BeMintBee · 13/09/2024 08:23

The paramedics themselves felt it was worth taking to hospital as a precaution and the doctors didn’t turn you away at the door so you made the right call.

JMSA · 13/09/2024 08:24

Aww, please don't worry for a second about this.
Hope she's ok x

WhenSunnyGetsBlue · 13/09/2024 08:26

Thanks for the lovely replies. She's exhausted, as am I. It was very scary and I'm just glad she's ok. I had mixed feelings of guilt/embarrassment and relief when I saw her cheeky smile come back. I always worry about being a time waster in A&E. It just came on so suddenly, and I felt completely helpless. I'm so glad she was sleeping on me and not in her cot. There were no warning signs during the day.

OP posts:
HowToSaveAWife · 13/09/2024 08:27

Floppy & eyes rolling back? Absolutely you did the the right thing. Don't overthink it.

Zanatdy · 13/09/2024 08:28

Definitely the right thing to get her checked, and the ambulance staff wouldn’t have taken her in if thru thought she was fine so right decision. Glad she’s ok

stanleypops66 · 13/09/2024 08:29

You did exactly the right thing in your circumstances. If my dh had been here we probably would've drove but I'd have called 999 if on my own.

WhenSunnyGetsBlue · 13/09/2024 08:29

And can I just say how fantastic the paramedics were. They deserve so much more recognition than they get!

OP posts:
Deliaskis · 13/09/2024 08:32

You did the right thing, absolutely. DD had a few issues as an infant and I remember her having what looked a bit like a seizure at 11 months... The minute they heard she was under 1 they wanted her in regardless really. It's not a snotty nose, they often need help when they're so tiny and they need it fast.

GRex · 13/09/2024 08:33

I had to take DS into A&E twice at under 12 months because I called 111, so they insisted he be seen even though really I just needed reassurance. It's fine. Going floppy would have definitely had us in too!

Rickrolypoly · 13/09/2024 08:34

I'd rather potentially waste someone's time than risk my child dying. If the paramedics thought there was nothing to be concerned about they would not have brought you in. Never apologize for advocating for your child.

Pictures50 · 13/09/2024 08:35

You absolutely did the right thing.
Sounds like you were amazing.
It must have been terrifying.

crumbleandpie · 13/09/2024 08:36

She is tiny. You did the right thing, no question in my mind

Sadmamatoday · 13/09/2024 08:37

You absolutely did the right thing. Floppy sounds scary, why risk it

Violetmouse · 13/09/2024 08:39

GP here. I think you did the right thing. Vomiting is one thing but a floppy baby who suddenly isn’t alert is quite another thing and I’d have advised someone in that position to call 999. Hope she’s ok today.

Octopies · 13/09/2024 08:46

I can't see what you could have done differently. Even if you had your own car, I think calling an Ambulance in that situation would have been the sensible thing to do, as it sounds like she needed to be assessed by someone with medical training asap. Glad she's ok!

ButtercupFlower · 13/09/2024 08:47

How absolutely terrifying that must have been for you. You did absolutely the right thing OP. Hope you are both well today. 💐

RickiRaccoon · 13/09/2024 08:54

Scary for you! You don't take chances with babies. Take care of yourself after such a big fright.

ClairDeLaLune · 13/09/2024 08:58

You totally did the right thing OP. Gosh that sounds so scary. Hope she’s fully recovered now.