When your newborn requires intensive medical care, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can feel overwhelming. The sophisticated equipment, medical terminology and constant activity may leave you feeling like an outsider in your own child’s care. If a birth injury has occurred, these feelings of powerlessness can intensify. Even when struggling to understand what is going on, you can continue to advocate for your baby. Tips to reclaim your voice during this critical time include the following.
Questions to ask the medical team
Knowledge is power, especially in a medical crisis. Do not hesitate to ask your baby’s healthcare providers detailed questions about every aspect of care. Understanding your child’s condition and treatment plan is not just your right — it is essential for informed decision-making.
Consider asking these important questions:
- What is my baby’s current diagnosis and prognosis?
- What are current treatments and what are the potential risks and benefits?
- Who is the attending physician ultimately responsible for my baby’s care?
- What changes in my baby’s condition should I watch for?
- Are there alternative treatment options we should consider?
Your medical team should welcome your questions and provide clear, understandable answers. If you do not understand something, keep asking until you do.
The importance of medical records
Documentation is extremely important if something goes wrong. Request copies of all medical records regularly, including nursing notes, physician orders, test results and monitoring strips. Most hospitals have patient rights offices that can assist with these requests.
Keep organized files of everything related to your baby’s care. These records serve multiple purposes: they help you track your child’s progress, facilitate communication if you seek a second opinion and preserve evidence should legal action become necessary.
Protecting your legal options
While your focus remains on your baby’s recovery, you should be aware that legal remedies exist if medical negligence contributed to your child’s injury. Statutes of limitations vary by state, but the clock often begins ticking before you leave the hospital.
Document everything you observe, including conversations with medical staff, changes in your baby’s condition and any concerns you raise. Take notes with dates and times. This contemporaneous record can prove invaluable later.
Consider consulting with a birth injury attorney even while your child remains hospitalized. An initial consultation does not commit you to legal action but helps to better ensure you understand your rights and preserve important evidence.
Moving forward
You are your baby’s most important advocate. By asking informed questions, maintaining thorough records and understanding your legal rights, you can navigate the NICU experience with greater confidence and protect your child’s future.
