Report? And to whom?

Published

This is going to be a somewhat long post, but I need advice. I'm also not sure where to post this, so feel free to move it wherever. :wink2:

I'm a senior nursing student set to graduate in May, and I have a friend who had a baby the last week of September. The doctors weren't exactly sure when she did get pregnant because she doesn't track her periods. Anyway, the baby was 5 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches long and had to be sectioned because of variable decels during labor. She was drinking 1 large glass of red wine per day during her 3rd trimester because "her ob told her that it was ok". She was not worried about it because she said her mom did drugs as well as drank during her pregnancy with my friend and she was ok. She told me about a month before her due date that she couldn't wait to have the child because she wanted to be able to "drink normally again". At her dr appointment in Dec the baby was only up to 9 lbs. She has been drinking + breastfeeding. :madface: I work the Nursery Follow Up service at a children's hospital sometimes and the little girl looks like a failure to thrive child to me. (not an expert in any way) I am really worried about the baby because of the amount of alcohol her parents could be ingesting. I know for the father it is nothing to drink a 5th of Jack and 3 mountain dew. (He's a type II diabetic) He was very motivated to create a better life for his daughter. He wants to go back to school (neither of them have a degree, on medicaid because they're way below the poverty level etc), and it seems like his wife is dragging him back down. I don't know what to do.

Illinois DCFS isn't exactly the best program in the world and I really don't want to drag them into it 1. because I don't think that they will do anything to help and 2. I'd rather that they realize what is going on and work to make things better for themselves. She is 27 and he is 28. So I'm really stuck and really worried.

I'm sorry this post has been kinda all of the place, but any advice/suggestions would be much appreciated. I've thought about trying to find out who her peditrician is and talk to them, she also sees the same OB/GYN that I do, but I'm not sure how long she would follow her post c-section. :cry:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.

Well, if the baby was failure to thrive, the pediatrician would catch it. Same with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Best I can say is report it to CPS/DCFS/social services where you live. (or the police?) Her doctor wouldn't be allowed to talk to you about her, or even confirm she was a patient of his, so it'd be no good to talk to him about it.

good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't want to drag DCFS in if my concerns are unfounded. I guess just leave it up to the physicians office to note any changes in the baby's health?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

If you're an RN, you're a mandated reporter in most states. That means you MUST report a situation in which a child is in danger--and, in the situation you are describing, that baby is in danger.

You are not "dragging DCFS in", the parents are by behaving irresponsibly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need to think what is best for the child, not how the parents are going to feel. Also, don't base your not calling this in on the statement that the father wants a better life for his daughter. You have to look at the here and now, not what's going to happen in ten years. If the father is sincere in trying to make a better life, then that's great, but that baby is still failure to thrive.

I would report to child services. Maybe (hopefully) all the parents will need is a visit from child services to straighten up. Can you talk to the father about getting into counseling for his drinking problem?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the others, it needs to be reported to the DCFS, I'm shocked you would even say that you don't want to "drag" them into it, the child needs your help

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I say I don't want to "drag" them in I say that because IL DCFS doesn't have a very good reputation at all around here. I have had several run-ins with them in the hospital with abused kids that continue to remain in the home (one girl was there for 2 years before removed from a sexually abusive family) because they're very very slow to react.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

slu rn :

:heartbeat You should think well of yourself for trying to talk this over in this Forum. :heartbeat

:) Welcome to the AllNurses Forums :)

A returning student :)

Angels’

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Be an advocate for this child... Do what your heart is telling you to do. I think, at the very least, you should educate mom regarding the effects of alcohol comsumption while breastfeeding. If she is well aware of what she is doing directly and/or indirectly...make the appropriate phone call. Both of these parents clearly had an unhealthy childhood and now are continuing this viscious cycle. These two "adults" are "poster kids" for parents who don't belong being parents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

Where did this OB go to school that he told her it was OK to drink a large glass of wine EVERY day???? I would guess that is what she said he told her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just because the doctor can't talk to *you* about *her*, there is no law that you can't talk to the doctor about her. He/she may not be able to respond, but they are a mandated reporter and might choose to make a report based on your findings. (it only has to be a suspicion, not confirmed and if the doc listens to you then the suspicion is there for he/she to report)

As far as mandated reporter, if you are on duty as an RN you are mandated. If you are not on duty, you are as responsible as anyone else but not mandated. That is how they explained it to us at school. On duty, call the state providers hotline. Off duty, call CPS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
When I say I don't want to "drag" them in I say that because IL DCFS doesn't have a very good reputation at all around here. I have had several run-ins with them in the hospital with abused kids that continue to remain in the home (one girl was there for 2 years before removed from a sexually abusive family) because they're very very slow to react.

Arizona is the same way. But you know, it's never a bad thing to start a paper trail in such cases.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion