Do I have to take my newborn to hospital appointment?

[Merrydoula]

So I gave birth 2 weeks ago. When doctor did standard check on baby they said his heart rate was within normal range but a little on the low side. They said as a precaution they'd like him to have an ECG. When they performed this ECG he screamed his lungs out so there was an ectopic beat that came up on the results, they then repeated this ECG and sent the results to great Romans street specialist who said it all looks fine, we were discharged the next day.

They now want him to have an ultrasound on his heart as an EXTRA precaution, this is fine but then I got a call saying they also want him to have another ECG. I feel like this is just too much. The ECG pads are extremely sticky and really hurt him when peeling them off, it upsets me to see him cry in so much pain. Can I refuse all these extra extra precautions, the speculate said his ECG looked fine before. I'm worried they will report me to social services or something if I refuse to go?

*great ormand street hospital

The pads shouldn’t hurt coming off.

Even if they do isn’t it best to have that few minutes of discomfort and the reassurance all is ok? They don’t do these things for fun!

I'd have the ecg and use something to help get the sticky pads off. My husband uses nail polish remover.

I would just go and have the test. I know it's awful when they upset your baby but I'd rather be 100% sure that everything is fine.

You’ll be far more upset and riden with guilt if you refuse these tests and a problem develops subsequently.

It’s tough when they’re so small but it’s part and parcel of being a parent - what is in the best interests of the child will be the question to answer. You can’t always avoid unpleasant situations unfortunately.

Isn’t it a good thing that the doctors are being so thorough? Maybe you could take someone with you for moral support on the day.

The NHS doesn't do tests for the fun of it.

I wouldn't take the risk that something could be wrong and it's left undiagnosed and results in harm or even death.

If you struggle getting the sticky off the pads off skin, baby oil works.

Like said above the NHS don't test for fun, it's all precautionary, my newborn had to have a lumber puncture last week, it's was horrendous, luckily the results came back clear, but if there was something it would have picked it up and he could have been treated accordingly.

Your baby won't remember any of this (that's what I kept telling myself).

Xx

I know the NHS do not test for fun, but sometimes I do feel like they use children to train their junior doctors, even when they know that a particular precaution may be slightly unnecessary. Especially when it comes to university hospitals.

One of the midwives at the hospital voiced her disapproval for another repeat ECG (not to me, I overheard her talking to the neonatal doctor, who was also asking why we hadn't been discharged yet)

They wouldn't have discharged us if they had thought there were the slightest problem, I'm happy to go to his appointment for the ultrasound, the ultrasound is a clear picture of the heart and will pick any defects and is much more efficient than an ECG, hence why I I just don't understand the need for yet another One.

The best person to ask is your medical team/Dr. Explain your concerns and ask what they would suggest if you decline consent, would an ultrasound alone be sufficient, is there another test or another way of performing test etc.

You've had an abnormal and a normal ECG. That's 50% either way. I'm sorry- I don't understand why you wouldn't get another one. It's non invasive- and you could take the stickers off yourself. I'd rather a non invasive test to confirm no cardiac issues than the other possibility because I didnt consent to it.

Ultrasound looks at the structure of the heart. ECG looks at the electrical system.

Different things

Sorry I missed out that we had the abnormal ECG and then 2 normal ones after. The only thing they found on the original ECG was an ectopic beat which is considered normal in newborns too.

It's a mixture of feelings, but I think overall, yes I suppose I better go