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His belly has a pooch on one side, and he has an obvious umbilical hernia. The doctor did not look at it but said that there are never complications with an umbilical hernia. I've heard different, and it bothers me that she shook it off without even seeing him. (he's displaying alot of the signs of having Intestinal Strangulation -- his umbilical cord stump is hard and frequently unable to recede back or be pushed back into the abdomen, sensitivity in the area, constipation, increased appettite, etc. (My two week old son is eating approximately 4 ounces every two hours, or sometimes 2.5 ounces every hour. Im an infant care specialist, and from my training and experience, this is an awful lot.) He also seems to have trouble passing gas -- he screams an extremely painful sounding cry, unlike any infant cry i've ever heard, and I've heard alot. I really want to take him to the hospital, but the doctor was so sure of herself. Am I just being paranoid, or should I take him in?

2007-02-27 16:11:24 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health Diseases & Conditions Other - Diseases

ps.
I live in a very small town -- if i take him into the ER, his pediatrician is the doc who will see him.

2007-02-27 16:17:11 · update #1

5 answers

I've been a NICU nurse for 28 years. # 1. If he is 2 weeks old, he shouldn't still have an umbilical cord stump. They usually fall off between 7 to 10 days. Are you keeping it dry? Is it wet, red or does it have any drainage? # 2. Is he vomiting his feedings? Is his abdomen enlarged, hard, or discolored ? Is he passing any gas and having stools? If not, he could have an obstruction or, as you said, strangulation - and those are a surgical emergency. They can do a small bowel series and essentially rule those out. And, yes, there CAN be complications from an umbilical hernia - especially when you can't reduce it back into the abdomen. It isn't common, but it is possible. They are easier to push back if the baby isn't crying. They pooch out and look worse when he is crying. #3. The extreme painful cry could be that he is colicky from overfeeding. He does not need to be feeding that much or that often unless you are breastfeeding. He's not hungry, he's crying from pain and overfeeding is not the answer. It just makes it worse. Even if the umbilical hernia turns out to not be the problem, your baby's obvious discomfort needs to be addressed. Perhaps he isn't tolerating the type of formula you are using. Is there a history of milk allergy in the family? He might need a lactose-free formula. Please don't ever be afraid to question the doctor. You are a mother now and your baby's well-being is more important than worrying about hurting a doctor's feelings. A doctor should ALWAYS examine your baby when you take him in. You can't diagnose if you haven't examined. Trust your instincts. Good Luck

2007-02-27 20:00:34 · answer #1 · answered by Beckers 6 · 0 0

Considering your professional experience I think you are qualified enough to diagnose this problem, even if you weren't it would not change the fact that if you really feel there is a problem and you are concerned you should confront your doctor, or demand a second opinion. Because it is your own child you are caring for, you are probably caught between professional experience and normal feelings of parental inadequacy. Go back to the doctor, or go to the hospital and have someone really look at your child. Only when you know you have exhausted all the options for care will you feel content. Good Luck.

2007-02-28 00:21:53 · answer #2 · answered by All I Hear Is Blah Blah Blah... 5 · 0 0

No doubt that is what the doctor is there for if you have questions no matter how slight your child's well being is irreplaceable. There is always other doctors to turn to!

2007-02-28 00:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

your doctor is a jackass and with your experience you obviously know better take him in

2007-02-28 00:15:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

when in doubt, seek a second opinion.

2007-02-28 00:14:05 · answer #5 · answered by KitKat 7 · 2 0

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