I will be starting my second OB/GYN rotation in a week at a facility with a high rate of crack addicted babies.
I welcome anyone's input who has experience with these poor souls as far as what is "normal" for them, any tricks for sleepiing position, feeding etc., which may help their discomfort.
I know the withdrawl is painful for these babies I just don't want to do anything to cause them additional discomfort.
BTW, have had and raised three of my own children but never had any experience with drug addicted babies. Oh Lord, keep an eye on me!
You need to go down to the local DCFS Office and talk to the case workers who deal with this on a 24/7 basis. True, as nurses we are not supposed to be judgemental but we are also patient advocates especially for the most fragile and defenseless of the population, babies. It's hard not to be judgemental towards mothers who use drugs, alcohol and cigarettes while they're pregnant then see the fruits of their labors when these kids are born. When both mom and baby test positive for drugs, per state laws, nurses must report this to the state and that baby is picked up by DCFS and immediately placed in foster care. Kids are pulled from their drug addicted parents for a reason and that reason being is for their own safety. I case manage kids in foster care and trust me, you really want to get the bio parents who take drugs and abuse their kids and bang their heads in with a cast iron frying pan!!!!
I honestly don't think I would do your job well. Really, I would be concerned that I would lose my temper with these parents. They just don't have the right to harm these little babies or older children. I don't think I would do the kids any good since I do worry that I would lose my temper.
...And just because I wouldn't even think of doing some of the things we see patients or patient families doing, doesn't mean I don't treat people at least as fairly or as decently as I expect to be treated..Period. So pull in the claws people. I'm on your side. Read between the lines....I try to...
Nobody has their claws out, nobody is attacking you, and nobody is accusing you of anything.
The OP asked for suggestions on taking care of the baby and you started talking about being judgemental.
I'm not good at reading between the lines, I take people's posts at face value and if I am unsure of the point of a post, I ask. No claws here.
I think all of this is important and especially for a student. Your first crack baby is no piece of cake. It stirs all kinds of emotions and assorted thoughts. I think there is value in pointing out previous experiences because this young nurse is going to be facing the same issues we have in the past. It's a huge topic with lots of issues. Pointing out a judgemental attitude that isn't there, just isn't fair.
I will be starting my second OB/GYN rotation in a week at a facility with a high rate of crack addicted babies.
I welcome anyone's input who has experience with these poor souls as far as what is "normal" for them, any tricks for sleepiing position, feeding etc., which may help their discomfort.
I know the withdrawl is painful for these babies I just don't want to do anything to cause them additional discomfort.
BTW, have had and raised three of my own children but never had any experience with drug addicted babies. Oh Lord, keep an eye on me!
Thanks in advance,
Opal
Keep in mind that each addicted baby is so different.
...infants born to drug- or alcohol-dependent mothers often ... a proposed narcotic withdrawal score for use with ... thompson m. drug-exposed infants and their families
What a great learning experience this unit will have... hope it's a great clinical site for you.
Thanks Karen, I have bookmarked several of these sites too. BTW, I will be at Jeff for this rotation. Getting in and out of the city is more of a battle for me than the babies!! LOL, and the parking is wonderful, NOT.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
My homecare agency does the followup well-mom baby visits for some of Jeff and all of HUP's patients. PM if interested in setting up clinical experience. Our maternal child supervisor is great.
I have only had one experience with a drug addicted baby and it was to methadone. He stayed with us for almost 4 months in the hospital. We kept him in our nursery as long as we could, but then it got to be too much so he was transferred to peds. He was very irritable, and cried so very much. He was given opium and phenobarbital to help with his withdrawal symptoms. There were times someone carried him around in a snuggly when he was really fussy, and there were few times he would sleep soundly. Broke my heart. After he was transferred, we would go up and visit. By the time he was discharged, he was eating baby food and was just a big boy...smiling and laughing. He was great to see him without pain.
I don't know what became of him, but he did get released to his parents, who really didn't spend much time with him while in the hospital. I remember mom asking why he cried all of the time and she just couldn't understand what was going on. I think about him from time to time, when I see his discharge picture that I took of him on our bulletin board, and hope he is well.
Thanks for the idea. If I were going to be on this floor for any length of time, I would seek out of these nurses. Unfortunately, I will only be on the floor 36 hours.
Thanks though for keeping the wheels turning! Always open to ideas.
Can you get with some NICU and/or Special Care nursery nurses in real life? Their advice and tutelage would be INVALUABLE, believe me!
That must have been a tough time for you. I know, I know they say don't get attached. HAH, if you've got one ounce of kindness anywhere it's hard not to get attached to a human being whose pain you've witnessed.
It's all about choices, I commend you for making a positive one. Where ever he is, you made a difference in his life.
I have only had one experience with a drug addicted baby and it was to methadone. He stayed with us for almost 4 months in the hospital. We kept him in our nursery as long as we could, but then it got to be too much so he was transferred to peds. He was very irritable, and cried so very much. He was given opium and phenobarbital to help with his withdrawal symptoms. There were times someone carried him around in a snuggly when he was really fussy, and there were few times he would sleep soundly. Broke my heart. After he was transferred, we would go up and visit. By the time he was discharged, he was eating baby food and was just a big boy...smiling and laughing. He was great to see him without pain.
I don't know what became of him, but he did get released to his parents, who really didn't spend much time with him while in the hospital. I remember mom asking why he cried all of the time and she just couldn't understand what was going on. I think about him from time to time, when I see his discharge picture that I took of him on our bulletin board, and hope he is well.
PicklesRN, RN
75 Posts
I honestly don't think I would do your job well. Really, I would be concerned that I would lose my temper with these parents. They just don't have the right to harm these little babies or older children. I don't think I would do the kids any good since I do worry that I would lose my temper.
Good for you that you can do the job~