Julia323

The nurses here talk of the parents being in denial when referring to their child's situation. That the neonatologist has done a good job of informing these parents the seriousness of the condition. If a parent is asking such question as playing football while their child has a shunt that screams to me that the staff has not done an adequate job of informing these parents how serious their child's condition is. When my son was in the NICU I repeatedly and forcefully asked the nurses and doctors what my son's outcome would be. What are the long-term effects. What should we be looking for in the future. Every time I was given a glossy smile and spouted to about "every child is different", "only time will tell", "the majority of these kids, once they leave the hospital, are fine". I was told that my son's complete right lung collapse and partial left-lung collapse was "normal, nothing to worry about." I was told that his grade 3 bilateral brain bleeds meant that "the majority of the time these kids are fine with no lasting effects". When I asked what the future implication of him being on an oscillator for 3 months might be I was told "he doesn't have to go home on oxygen so he should be just normal." I have spoken with numerous preemies moms since then and the overwhelming feelings of being lied to, having their child's condition put in the "best possible light" when realistically it was bad, and the general lack of information from the doctors and nurses as atrocious. Many of these preemie moms who used to view the NICU nurses and doctors as their child's miracle workers, as they watch their child grow and the disabilities continue to mount and the more and more therapies and doctors their children need, are angry and bitter toward these people now. Not to mention the public view of the "catch up by age 2" line that is spouted at every turn. This is ridiculous. Most of these children don't even get the correct diagnosis until after that. Time after time I see a preemie mom who goes to a "follow-up preemie clinic" to be told their child is normal and on track while still having a list of 9 different doctors they see, 2 speech therapist appt.'s a week, an OT appt. and a physical therapy appt every week. They've endured 2 surgeries since leaving the hospital, a hospital stay because of some sickness and the doctors have the guts to tell them their child is fine and on target. Once a preemie, always a preemie. The overall opinion from these parents is that the hospital is just looking to treat the child and get them out the door while avoiding as many uncomfortable "talks and discussions" as possible. While the parents pick up the pieces and are left to agonize over what is wrong with their child and to navigate the medical community by themselves as they now try to get answers and prepare for the devestating outcomes of their childs preemie condition. I know this is harsh, and I know that the nurses and doctors do love their patients. But the treatment and questions that are left unanswered are overwhelming for parents when the NICU refuses to give you the information and statistics you need. Being in a hospital for 4 months, as my son was... of course there are going to be long-term effects. But not one of the nurses or doctors at my NICU would disclose any of it. I got the distinct impression they would rather have outside medical professional deal with this rather then give it to the parents straight and upfront while still in the NICU. This is a widespread problem with NICU's and unfortunately, only those who are now "too old" for the preemie follow-up clinics are enduring the process while the hospital writes their child off as a success.