I need any medics out there to talk me off the ledge.

[TomSlick]

My newborn granddaughter has been in the NICU for a week. She was placed in the NICU due to early breathing concerns.

She's off O2. She's eating more and weighs more than her twin sister at home. (The pediatrician tells us the child at home is thriving.) The NICU docs will not (or at least have not) talked to the parents in days. The nurses (the only people with whom the parents can speak) keep providing different metrics for her release. The parents are convinced she is being held in the NICU until her calculated due date - in two more weeks. (It's probably a good thing that her G-Dad can't get through the door due to Covid restrictions.)

At some point, laying in an NICU bed instead of being held by her parents and grandparents - especially her G-Dad - has to be bad for her development.

I get it, my degree is in law and not medicine and obviously don't know what I'm talking about. Someone out there who does know, please tell me that everything is fine.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. IDK, but I've been there & positive thoughts got me through it... wishin you all the best.

[Ptah]

2. My grandson spent almost 200 days in NICU.

He's a loving, intelligent and healthy 3 and a half years old.

[TomSlick]

5. I'm sure she's fine - and will be great.

The complete absence of information is maddening.

[SheltieLover]

3. I would absolutely not tolerate them ignoring parents!

Call for 2nd opinion or something?



You can bet my ass would be parked 24/7 at that nurses' station until doctor addressed my concerns.

[TomSlick]

10. Hell, I would be thankful for a first opinion.

I can't get through the door, much less to the nurses' station.

Failing to keep the client informed is a primary cause for lawyers being sued for malpractice. These doctors seem to think that as far as new parents are concerned, ignorance is bliss.

Sorry. I'm not angry with you - just angry.

[SheltieLover]

17. I know exactly what you mean!

And, if allowed inside, I bet you would follow my "I'm a permanent resident until I get answers."

How about mom &/or dad?

Have they contacted the pres of the hospital yet?

So sorry you folks are having this stress when you should be in blissful babyland!

They could also just check baby out & take to (different) peds doc for check up. 👍

[TomSlick]

19. I suspect that we are a ways from a discharge against medical advice.

I will encourage the parents to ask their pediatrician to ask for an update as the child's PCP.

[SheltieLover]

21. Good ideaas well

I presumed docs seeing baby in hospital to be pcp.

Pls keep us updated?

[TomSlick]

23. I'm unclear who is the PCP.

My hope is that a call or e-mail from the baby's pediatrician for a consult would not be ignored. So far, it's the best idea I've seen.

Not to worry. If I run to DU to vent, I will also go to DU to update. My parents are too elderly and mentally infirm to listen to me without freaking out. I am grateful to DU for hearing me out.

[SheltieLover]

24. They canalso call the Charge Nurse

They are usually bulldogs & cut to the chase. 👍😉

[highplainsdem]

4. One of my great-nieces spent a few weeks in NICU, had no problems later.

[Wingus Dingus]

6. The doctors will speak to the parents, your kids need to ask the nurses on duty

to have the doctor please contact them with an explanation of why she is unable to be released and what the plan of care and goals are. Sometimes it takes a little forthrightness and persistence but the docs should ABSOLUTELY be communicating with the family about the treatment plan, expectations, etc. From a former RN (but not a NICU nurse). Don't worry too much, this baby will bond and be well even if she needs extra time!

[TomSlick]

14. I agree the doctors should speak to the parents but it's not happened in days.

The parents have asked to speak to the doctor but nothing so far.

My worry is that we don't know if she needs extra time or, if so, why. It shouldn't be difficult to tell the parents the metrics for her release.

[Wingus Dingus]

27. Yes, there definitely needs to be more communication here.

Ask the RN's each shift to please message the MD's that the parents are confused about aspects of the treatment and are requesting to please have direct discussion about her care--phrased like that it should compel a response. I'm sure they're busy, but one of the docs should get back to you or parents to explain things. Speaking to the RN's is helpful for day-to-day questions but they don't decide her care.

[TomSlick]

28. That's reasonable. Will pass along.

Thanks.

The docs and nurses have their hands full with the children of "covid moms" in the NICU. (I don't want to think about how that is being handled.) We are really trying not to be jerks but....

[Wingus Dingus]

30. You're asking for an explanation of her treatment plan and what they want

to see happen with the baby before they can discharge her. That's not being demanding or jerky, you're not asking for a conference every day, just a brief touch-base with the docs.

[MontanaMama]

7. Have mom and dad chosen a pediatrician yet?

Usually that choice is made before leaving the hospital…could your daughter/son-in-law ask that the pediatrician touch base with the NICU team? Every hospital has different policies…I’m just curious.

I hope you get your hands on that grand baby very soon. ❤️

[yellowdogintexas]

13. THIS! That pediatrician will be the baby's PCP

or Primary Care Physician and should be able to help out.

If that dr has privileges and that hospital so much the better

[TomSlick]

15. I buy that. I'll make that suggestion.

Thanks.

[Enter stage left]

8. Hang in Tom...those doctors and nurses love every single child in their care...

My grand-daughter worked at U of U Hospital in the NICU, and would come home to her mother laughing about changing stinky, smelly diapers.

If we're going to trust doctors with Covid, we need to trust them with our children and lives.

[TomSlick]

16. You are, of course, correct.

A little information would go a long way.

[Enter stage left]

20. Trust the nurses...many times they have all or more of the info the doctors have...

because they're with those kids 6-10 hours a day. Nurses are special, they do it because they love it, not because of their pay.



If your feel like the doctors aren't communicating with you like you want, request a conference with them, but be aware, they don't have much time to spare. They're trying to save multiple lives every day. Doctors are special also, let's support them every chance we get.

[Srkdqltr]

9. Both of my great grands were in the hospital after birth for a few weeks (Twins)

They are now very active lovely noisy 4 year olds. They had breathing and heart probs common to premature babies. In the days of covid everything is awful. we have to learn again to moderate. I wish I could post a vid from Christmas of them jumping off the steps in our family room, rolling on the floor and laughing like crazy. Be a little patient.

[FeelingBlue]

11. Miracle Workers work in NICUs.

If your grandchild is off of 02, that’s huge. How much does the baby weigh?? Sounds like they are just looking after her so they can send her home at a decent weight and ready to wear out her parents and grandparents. Twins! Adorable but a challenge.

Furthermore, get off that ledge right now. The last thing your family needs is a crisis. Persevere with courage so you can be there for your family. The parents will need you. It’s your turn to be a hero!!

[TomSlick]

18. I'm the calm one.

The parents and Gigi are freaking out. I'm only freaking out on DU.

[MFM008]

12. My best friends

Daughters baby , when he was born, spent a lot of time in the ICU because he kept quitting breathing but while he was in there at least they allowed then to see him and they allowed his mom to feed him by bottle but that was twenty years ago..

[TomSlick]

26. The parents take turns going to the hospital to hold and feed the baby.

The nurses are great but it is unclear they know why the child is still in the NICU.

[TygrBright]

22. My Grandson was in the NICU for more than 6 months.

He was born very premature - at the time they had never saved a baby so premature.

He's all over the pulmonary aftereffects, he's smart, kind, funny, and imaginative. He'll be 15 next Spring.

I don't know the medical details of your granddaughter's case, but NICU isn't going to do her any harm.

helpfully,
Bright

[TomSlick]

25. Thanks.

She'll be fine. It's the adults are the ones freaking out - and it's really not about the adults. Still....

[3catwoman3]

29. Perhaps the parents should contact someone in...

…whatever department would fall under the public relations/patient representative umbrella and complain vociferously about lack of communication. There should also be a discharge planning team, typically headed up by nurses and social workers.

Perhaps also contacting the insurance company.

I spent 45 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and communication with parents was essential.

Sadly, I am hearing more and more stories like yours - no contact from the doctors. I consider this completely unacceptable.

[TomSlick]

31. Reasonable.

I'll check whether there is a patient ombudsman-type person.