Scared to take my baby back to hospital but I’m also scared not to..

[poppyt1998]

It sounds stupid but I’m scared to take my baby back to the hospital.
This is why.

he is 7 months old, he lost his balance while sitting and he hit his soft spot on a wooden footrest at the end of the bed. It was impossible for him to fall off, I had just looked away for a few seconds and then that happened

I took him in and they examined him, they sent us home. 24 hours later he had a firm, raised soft spot. I took him back in and we were there 9 hours, somehow one of the nurses misconstrued me and thought he fell off the bed, I corrected her and I thought nothing of it. Anyway, several doctors, nurses and a paediatrician agreed it was ok to send him home considering he’s normal, no sign of anything.

I got a phone call the next day from social services.. that nurse had reported me. They said they were going to do a wellness check because apparently I had “two different stories” and the social worker thought he had fell off the bed. I corrected her, she went back and phoned the hospital and the hospital looked into it, found out I was linear and truthful with my explanation (🙄obviously) and social services decided to close the case off the basis of “the hospital got it wrong, i was telling the truth and baby was fine and discharged by the hospital so there’s no reason for socials to get involved”

BUT that’s what worries me, right there. he is fine, but his soft spot is still firm and raised and I’m an anxious person and I’d like to take him back and demand a scan so that my mind could be put at ease . My biggest fear is something happening to him.

But my worry is if I take him back to hospital, would social services get back in touch? I’m a massive overthinker and an excessive worrier so I may be overthinking this but I’d love some input.

They might but your story (which isn't a story, it's the truth) is still in order so they can do absolutely nothing. I would raise a PALS complaint too if it were me but understandable if you don't want too.

If it was my I think I’d go through my GP. They can refer for urgent tests/ refer you to the paeds unit if necessary. They also may be able to reassure you without all the anxiety that a trip to the hospital will bring x

@Darthwazette that is a good idea I’m just worried that since it might be a week or two until I get an appointment, something might happen to him before then. I do have a health visitor appointment next Wednesday as per the hospitals advice since his head is on the 98th centile

@BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers I just feel like it’s really cheeky y’know? As if accidents don’t happen. I already felt guilty without social services getting involved on top of that

it seemed to me the main reason why they got involved was because they didn’t think my story added up, but then they found out it did so they closed the case but the social worker also said “since he’s okay and he’s been discharged we will close the case” makes me feel scared to go to hospital just in case :(

I think any hospital admission for under 5's caused by accident are supposed to trigger a social services call. It's completely standard.

My 7 month old actually did fall off the bed OP. (Very early crawler/climber/cruiser) I took him to a&e and he was totally fine. No one suggested I was an incapable parent because of it but it will have been put on his records and if he frequent accidents they would have started worrying about us.
If you’re worried, take him back. It’s not a new injury, it’s a follow-up on a previously reported injury so it shouldn’t make any difference to ss etc.

They've told you he's fine twice, why do you think you can demand a scan? It's not really how it works. Why would you want him to have an unnecessary brain scan? CT scans use radiation you know.

Maybe look to treat your health anxiety.

They shouldn't call you again as it is an ongoing situation, not a new injury. However if he is fine, and not drowsy, vomiting, fitting or making jerking movements then he wouldn't fit the criteria for a head scan. When did it happen? It could be that it is hard for a little while after the injury. I would go via the GP for advice as you would likely have a similar wait in A+E and not get a scan. I know it is really hard to not to worry about the worst happening to your baby, I am the same when it comes to my children. Hope the lump goes down soon x

@Nursemumma92 we have got 48 hours open access to the ward if needs be and they told us to go back if he has any change in behaviour or lethargy, vomiting etc. it happened 4 days ago and the firm soft spot came on about 3 days ago. X

@trampoline123 it would be an ultrasound, not a ct scan actually.

and it’s not unnecessary, if you look it up online it says it’s a medical emergency and that it’s not normal for soft spots to be firm and raised like his is.

im concerned that one day I’ll wake up and he’ll be dead, or because I never took him back for a scan he had fluid build up on his brain and ended up with brain damage.

They told you to watch out for changes, you’ve seen a change. So take him in. It isn’t your call to decide whether he needs a scan or not, but it’s fine to want him to be seen again to check the swelling is not an issue.

Any head injury (even a minor one with no outcome) is shared with community services

If you are worried get him checked It's all follow up from one incidence so not concerning from SS point of view.
Also even if a social worker came round you don't need to worry if you have nothing to hide. Children have accidents they check you out all ok case closed. the end.
It's not worth stressing over. When child attend AE everyone is informed and yes you often get a phone call. Probably up our Health Visitor will also ask about it at that appointment also. It's routine.

@LittleLegoWoman wait what change have I seen? the firm soft spot has been there since I took him in

Please don't worry about Social Services. It's unlikely they'll be called again.

Your child may be unwell and even if it turns out to be nothing, it's best to be checked over if you have concerns.

My daughter has epilepsy and has been hospitalised following seizures. We've been referred to social services but with no repercussions. I'd still go back to hospital every time I think she needs to because her health is the most important thing

If worried either try getting a gp app (you won't know till u try if u will have to wait weeks for one) or go back to A&E. Perfectly normal when a child has an accident ss are informed.

A 7 month old baby will have to have sedation to keep him still for a scan. A&E will not do this or scan him just because you are anxious As long as he's well in himself and not showing any signs of a head injury.

If you have open access to the ward then I would just take him there to get checked just for peace of mind. X

@Toddlerteaplease we have 48 hours open access to the ward. And his soft spot is still raised and firm after 3 days so I don’t know what to do. Is this not a reason to do a scan?

I would give the ward a call and explain things, ask for their advice.

I'm a paediatric nurse. You can ring the ward for advice. But they will not scan him unless clinically indicated. If he had high. Babies with severe head injuries tend to behave differently and they have a really really horrible cry that is absolutely unmistakable.

@Toddlerteaplease

mine hit his soft spot 4 days ago, 24 hours later he got a raised firm soft spot and he was seen but discharged, even the paediatrician said he had no idea what it could be but since he is acting fine then he is fine. But his soft spot is still raised.

have you ever seen anything similar to this and what was the outcome?

If you're that worried about something may be wrong with him you wouldn't care about social services calling you again you'd just want him checked

@monicagellerbing no, I’m worried they’d take him away from me. I’ve heard so many stories where kids are taken away from safe, happy homes.

They told you he’s fine. Nothings changed. It’s the same injury they’ve already checked, and said he is fine.
only you know if you feel something is really wrong anyway, but if you just want to ease your own anxiety and be double sure I don’t think you should put him through waiting at the hospital and going through a scan he doesn’t need.