Ever had a Safe Haven baby in the ER?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in Peds ER.

Hey all...I was just wondering if any of you have ever had a mom relinquish her newborn to you under the Safe Haven Law. If so, can you please share your experiences? Do you ask questions? Bring them into a room? Ask mom to leave her info or give her the option? Reason I'm asking is 'cause we had a mom call last night saying she was coming to relinquish. We started looking up info on the internet but most is focused on what the moms need to know, for good reason. Do you all call Social Services? Who else would need to be contacted? Social Services is not available at night or on the weekends in my area so I wouldn't know who else to contact. She never did show but I'd like to be prepared if it happens in the future. Thanks!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We had packets that were pre-prepared for the mothers. We did ask general questions (again like an intake form). However, if mother refused to answer, we just took custody of baby and let her go.

However, that said, I've never had it happen.

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If the mom doesn't want to answer any questions, she isn't obligated. The only time a mom has surrendered a baby in a facility where I've worked, one of the OB/GYNs intervened and facilitated a private adoption for one of our employees that had been on a waiting list for a long time. It worked out great for all parties involved.

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Our hospital now has a policy that spells out what to do. Before the policy was written several years ago a Mom brought her Baby to the ED, and since we have police in our ED at all times they tried to talk to the Mom and frighted her. She did relinquish the baby to us, and she was allowed to leave, but it was a very confusing situation. It is important to not frighten the Mom as she might run with the baby, and the whole purpose of the law is for the protection of the baby. Our 24/7 social worker is called in to help, and an attempt is made to get as much of the baby's medical history as possible from the Mom before she leaves. If the Mom does not want to give any information about the baby then no information is obtained. No attempt is made to get information on the Mom or restrain her in any way.

Barbara

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

So glad this laws are working! Anything to prevent abandoned newborns/ nfants. Less new reports re these incidents.

Needs more publicity/inservicing IMHO.

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