Reading parent online discussions about pregnancy or children's medical issues is like watching a train wreck. It isn't good for anyone involved, yet I can't stop turning my head.
* Parents post photographs of their baby's rash - on their genitalia - and say that the doctor said to do something, but the parents don't want to. What do you, random person with a computer, think I should do instead?
* I read something by one mamma who dropped her baby on the sidewalk. She was reassured by many other parents who had also dropped their babies on hard surfaces. And you know, they seem fine. For now. Without medical attention.
* One mother posted recently that her contractions were one minute apart. What should she do? I read this a few days after it was posted and women were continuing to offer late, time-sensitive advice. No follow-up from the mother.
* There are posts about cheating spouses, suspicious relatives left alone with tiny babies, anti-vaccination posts and more.
Why would you listen to someone on the internet who doesn't know your baby's medical history or anything about you? It is baffling. I understand the need to connect with other parents; parenthood can be scary and lonely. But just because you are pregnant, got someone pregnant, gave birth, adopted, foster or otherwise care for children, none of that means you suddenly gain the knowledge of a medical professional.
But, if you would listen to just anyone, even someone with an MFA in poetry and a computer, here's my advice:
Call your doctor. Follow the doctor's advice and if you don't like it, get a second opinion. From a medical doctor.
* Parents post photographs of their baby's rash - on their genitalia - and say that the doctor said to do something, but the parents don't want to. What do you, random person with a computer, think I should do instead?
* I read something by one mamma who dropped her baby on the sidewalk. She was reassured by many other parents who had also dropped their babies on hard surfaces. And you know, they seem fine. For now. Without medical attention.
* One mother posted recently that her contractions were one minute apart. What should she do? I read this a few days after it was posted and women were continuing to offer late, time-sensitive advice. No follow-up from the mother.
* There are posts about cheating spouses, suspicious relatives left alone with tiny babies, anti-vaccination posts and more.
Why would you listen to someone on the internet who doesn't know your baby's medical history or anything about you? It is baffling. I understand the need to connect with other parents; parenthood can be scary and lonely. But just because you are pregnant, got someone pregnant, gave birth, adopted, foster or otherwise care for children, none of that means you suddenly gain the knowledge of a medical professional.
But, if you would listen to just anyone, even someone with an MFA in poetry and a computer, here's my advice:
Call your doctor. Follow the doctor's advice and if you don't like it, get a second opinion. From a medical doctor.
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