Q re: admitted newborn and health care personnel

[japonica]

Hi everyone,

Wow, it's my first time posting here but I've been lurking (and reading) since I found out we're having a little boy.

I was looking for some input/advice...

I'm due to deliver next month by induction (Rh antibodies), and if my DS is affected by the antibodies to a similar extent as my DD was, he'll probably end up admitted in hospital for about a week to 10 days for treatment under the bili lights and possible transfusion(s). I've been reading all the horror stories of health care personnel retracting these poor little guys at various appointments and was wondering what can be done (aside from chaining myself to his bassinet in the NICU) to help protect him. Most of the retraction stories I've read so far seem to involve peds and check ups, but what's the scoop with NICU nurses and diaper changes etc. When my DD was admitted and under their care, some of the nurses did do diaper changes on her, but obviously that was a different issue.

I will be staying in the mom's dorm while he's there the whole time and be there with him every 2-3 hours for feedings...but just wanted to see if anyone had any perspective on this...or I am just being overly paranoid?

Thanks in advance...

[glongley]

I work in a NICU and I can tell you that nobody who works there would even think of retracting a baby's foreskin when changing a diaper. That being said, I don't doubt that there are occasional health care professionals who are uninformed enough to think they should retract when changing a diaper on a newborn.

I think the best thing would be to talk ahead of time to your pediatrician and the head nurse of whatever NICU unit you'd be dealing with, and express your concerns. Very likely they'll be able to reassure you that this really is not an issue, or would be able to communicate your concerns to the staff so that everyone would be aware of your wishes. You could always write up a note or sign to be put at the baby's bedside, and in the front of his chart. In the setting where I work, this would probably be a bit of overkill, but if it makes you feel more comfortable about it so you don't feel anxious the whole time he is there, it is certainly your right to communicate your needs in whatever way you feel you need to. All this might end up eliciting some conversations about intactness with these health care people that can raise their awareness are correct care about the intact boy, and the value of not circumcising.

Best wishes on your upcoming birth!

Gillian

[BugMacGee]

I've been a NICU nurse for 7+ years. Never have I had a reason to retract a baby's foreskin. Even putting in a Foley...

[japonica]

Thanks to both of you for the replies and helpful info...I appreciate it!

I suppose I'm thinking about any "old school" nurses who may still think that proper cleaning and care includes retraction (I even recall reading an old baby care book written in the late 60s and it specifically outlined how to retract to clean after diaper changes...yikes). But like you said Gillian, I can just double check with the head nurse/ped and make sure that we're on the same page...my other issue will be the supplemental bottles (I'm going to tape a "no bottles" sign to his bassinet) but that's a whole other issue...

Anyway, thanks again!

[rik8144]

I also work in the NICU and nobody in our unit ever retracts a baby for diaper changes or catheters.

[eepster]

When someone comes here and asks about how to prevent nurses from retracting their boys while putting in a foley, we often suggest requesting a NICU nurse, b/c they are much less likely to think they need to retract than regular nurses. I would still advise caution, but it's not as likely to be a problem as it is at the Drs office or the ER.

[liseux]

Hi Japonica!
I've been in that situation exactly, my 3rd son was born at 36 weeks due to rh & he spent 7 days on lights, 5 with me in the hospital & brought to me for feedings & 2 days without me ( we have no mother's dorm!). He was never retracted and I did ask about it and was assured that none of the mother/baby or NICU nurses would do that. It doesn't hurt to ask and maybe put something in his bassinet too, if you're still worried. With my 4th boy, my dh wrote "DO not retract me I am intact" on a onesie and then put it in the back of the bassinet. It did keep the nurses aware ( they probably thought we were a total spaz couple), but they were all pretty educated about intactness.

Good luck with the birth and his reaction to the antibodies, i wish you the best & I'll be checking for updates!

[kate3]

I am/was an OB nurse. I worked postpartum/antepartum/normal newborn nursery. We never retracted foreskin. Never. Ever.

[japonica]

Wow, thanks ladies for the peace of mind responses...whew...one less thing to worry about. I appreciate all your replies! And no offense meant to the savvy nurses who really know their stuff...I just had to ask as all this is new to me...

Hi Liseux! Yup, I'm almost 32 weeks, I'm still 1:64 and he's still less than 1.29 MoM on his dopplers. The OB and peris are impressed we've made it this far with no IUTs. *fingers crossed, knock on wood* Next scan is this Thurs and I'll update you after he arrives (hopefully he can hang in until 35-36 weeks). I'm really looking forward to meeting our little guy and hope the next few weeks go well.

[Brina]

our experience with NICU nurses (preemie intact twins) is that they are much more familar with the care of an intact penis than just about any healthcare professional we have ever encountered. Most babies in the nicu are intact. Even those whose parents plan to circ are not done until a day or two before discharge.

[liseux]

Japonica, he sounds like a tough little guy, good luck!