Why do patients like these go to a doctor?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I'm watching a show about L&D. This couple was determined to have a natural delivery which is all fine and well. They want to go home 2 hours after delivery. The baby's temp is 100.8. The parents, especially the father is determined to go anyway (no insurance or money issues) just very fixated on natural everything. The father is insisting that the elevated temp is due to the baby being swaddled. The baby is rewrapped much lighter. The temp goes higher. The pediatrician orders IM antibiotics stat. The parents say no to the antibiotics. The father says "no drugs in my daughter, the whole point of this natural delivery was no medical intervention".

I want to reach through the screen and knock him in the head. Why not deliver at home all by yourself if you think you know everything? Then you won't have to worry about any medical intervention.

Why are people so stubborn and narrow-minded when they don't have any medical knowledge? I just don't get it. I understand wanting things natural but at the cost of the life of the child?

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Did it say what religion this couple was? I know there are some religions out there that do not allow for medical intervention. But usually they do not even go to doc's like you suggest. Just currious.

Leslie

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Did it say what religion this couple was? I know there are some religions out there that do not allow for medical intervention. But usually they do not even go to doc's like you suggest. Just currious.

Leslie

No religious objections. This couple has suffered 3 miscarriages in the past. They are just so fixated on everything being natural. They have now agreed to blood work only. WBC 19,000 elevated C-RP.

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Wonder why they would agree to bloodwork since it doesn't sound like they would allow anything to be done if it was off.

Not very sensible people.

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Specializes in GERIATRICS, DEMENTIA CARE, MED-SURG.

So what was the outcome?

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It seems to me if they had already had to deal with three losses they would want to take all the precautions. I guess to each his own but I am praying for that baby that they will change their mind et get some help.

Leslie

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

I'm all for natural and everything, but with elevated WBCs & CRP, something ain't right. God bless that poor child.

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They are focused on one thing and one thing only with very little room for flexibility for their tunnel vision EXCEPT to have the baby born in a hospital as naturally as possible.....and they sound a little....strange....

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At childbirth classes we were told there would be no problem with walking around during labor, leaving off the monitor, taking a shower, massage, etc.

Just one thing --- if you don't feel you need medical interventions like those that would prevent the above from occurring (monitor, etc.) then simply stay home so you can get that massage and shower and stuff.

When you go to the hospital expect to be treated like you are hospitalized. (duh!)

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It does sound like they've focused so much on doing things "naturally" that they've lost sight of the true goal--having a happy, healthy child.

It's a shame that this distrust was not resolved prior to the delivery. I, too, am amazed that they chose to deliver in a hospital setting if they were so dead set against interventions.

The sad thing is that infection can become virulent very quickly in a newborn. Their immune systems aren't "awake" yet, and they haven't had a chance to acquire the immunities that come from colostrum. That takes a few days.

I wonder if the mother was tested for GBS. This is a common bacteria present in about a third of the population, but exposure at birth can kill a baby in 24 hours. It used to do just that until the standard protocol became treatment with IV antibiotics prior to the birth. Now it is rare for a baby to die so unnecessarily.

What happened on the show, Dutch?

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I never worked in L&D - but I saw the same thing in other areas - people would come into the ER with chest pain, be admitted - then fight about everything. I wanted to tell them to just stay home next time.:angryfire

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Why not deliver at home all by yourself if you think you know everything? Then you won't have to worry about any medical intervention.

If they do it at home by themselves, then they won't have anyone to blame (and/or sue) if things go wrong. :madface:

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