7 week old - hernia

[pixiekid]

Discovered my ds has a hernia. My doctor admitted he had very little experience & that i should just monitor it. He seemed quite dismissive, saying it was rare for babies to get them even though my ds was pre-term (36 weeks) and both me and my brother both had them as babies. I'm now really worried about it strangulating and constantly worrying. Should I be pushing for a referral to a pediatrician?

Depends on what kind, ds2 had an inguinal hernia (common in pre-term babies) and these definitely need prompt attention as they can strangulate. we had a similar reaction from GP as you and happened to be seeing a consultant for ds2's possible kidney problems, he was furious when he found out quick action wasn't being taken for ds2, who promptly had surgery to correct it , if it is any comfort, I think it was much more stressful for us than him and the procedure and recovery were very quick.

As I understand it, umbilical hernias are not an urgent problem and are just monitored, but I don't have experience of these, sure lots of other mnetters will advise, it is quite common I think.

Just re-read my post and don't want you to panic...when I say promptly, I mean with a couple of weeks of seeing the consulatant, it wasn't a blue light job! They also considered it very routine, so it isn't uncommon at all, I don't think most babies even stay overnight, ds2 did because he was very tiny (about 6lbs when surgery was done) and they wanted to monitor him because of that, but I think most babies stay for a few hours after op then go home.

Thanks. It is inguinal. Went back to my doctor to ask for a referral, which hopefully wont take too long to come through...

hi - just to share our story. My ds (33 weeks) had an inguinal (first seen at 3 months). GP not too concerned but the paed following his development referred him to a urologist. Saw her at 6 months (no rushing!) and by that time we hadn't seen the hernia emerge for at least a month. The surgeon said she saw these hernias all the time and they very often healed by themselves. No operation required, just told to keep an eye on it. If it doesn't heal then it will almost certianly need operating.

My son had an inguinal hernia, he was born @ 29+2. It didn't show up until about a week and a half before he was discharged. if he'd gone full term he would have been born 7th jan but since he was 1 of 2 (or 2 of 1) I was scheduled for a c-sect on 17th dec but didn't come home till feb 2nd. He was taken straight from scbu to another hospital to have it repaired & then sent back again before coming home. I don't know what the normal procedure is but thats what they did with me. I'm surprised he's left it. I think some doctors can't be bothered tbh (mines the same). I'd ask for a second opinion and voice your worries. The doctor on scbu told me he had one & it was very painfull. I have heard there commmon though.

My son was born 10 weeks early and had a hernia in his testicle and on his bellybutton he got an operation for his testicle hernai but not for his bellybutton they sayed it would go down itself and it did that. If it was anything they were
Worried about trust me they would have it operates on. It might seem scary but it might go down like my sons