Mothers, Don't Leave Your Rights At The Door!

Nurse Called Police/CPS on Parents over Jaundice

BABY HELD AT HOSPITAL, NURSE CALLS CPS WITHOUT CAUSE AFTER PEDIATRICIAN GIVES OK TO RELEASE BABY

 

Las Vegas, NV – A mother laboring under the care of Certified Professional Midwife April Kermani was transported to Summerlin Hospital Tuesday for stalled labor. Dr. Donald Roberts assumed care, and the mother gave birth vaginally to a healthy baby girl about 7 hours after admission. On Wednesday the parents,  were told they could not be discharged without a blood test for jaundice, a common and typically harmless condition among newborns. The test results came back with slightly elevated levels of bilirubin, indicating a mild case of jaundice.


 {Conrad loves Breast Feeding Mommies!}
The nursing staff told the parents they would have to place their daughter in isolation to undergo phototherapy and not allowed to nurse, but fed artificially with formula instead.  They refused the treatment since newborn jaundice will usually resolve itself within two weeks. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends that jaundiced newborns continue to breastfeed regularly, as frequent feedings help remove bilirubin in the body.  They were told by the attending pediatrician they were cleared to take the baby home and follow up with their midwife and pediatrician over the next several days.

A pediatric nurse then reported these parents to social services and the police, for unknown reasons. Their baby was held against their will at Summerlin Hospital for well over 24 hours.  “We are being treated like criminals,” says the distraught mother.  The CPS social worker calls the case “ridiculous.” Lilia’s bilirubin levels were back within the normal range very quickly.

Jaundice and Treatment Information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001559.htm 

We went to a rally today in support of this mother and any other mothers who have felt like their voice was muted by doctors or nurses in hospitals. It was great to see the birthing community out in support of this mother. The street was lined with about 50-75 moms and their little ones smiling and holding up their signs in front of the hospital. A few news stations were also out to get the scoop and we had a few cars stop to encourage us and cheer us on. 
It makes me angry & sad to see just how far a person might go to prove that their way is the best way and that a mothers research or intuition is invalid. Often times we take the advice from these professionals because their vast knowledge & experience is greater than ours, but taking away a mothers right to make the decisions for her baby is absolutely wrong. I get that hospitals want to cover their butts against law suits, so they must follow certain protocols when it comes to the baby's safety, but this fact that the nurse went above the Dr's head is downright nasty. Maybe she had some sort of point to prove. So do we!


Whether a mom wants to feed her child formula or breast milk, her choice should be supported!

Mothers, listen to what your gut is telling you when it comes to your kids. Don't let anyone take away your voice.  Your motherly-god given intuition is so precious. Stand up for what you believe.