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Boobycino
11-07-2009, 15:30
I was thinking about this because of another thread someone was asking about Angelcare monitors - and I wonder who actually knows what to do if the absolute worst happens. If you bought a movement monitor, would you also have CPR training, so IF that alarm sounds, you know what to do?

I only bring it up - not to scare people - but because my son did stop breathing for a few minutes when he was 11 days old, fortunately I checked on him - he was already pale and an off colour when I found him, which is why I picked him up to check. I was completely and utterly useless though, I didn't know what to do, neither did my partner. So for the most horribly long 3 minutes all we could do was scream at one another. I was too hysterical to make an effective 000 call - I couldn't have followed CPR instructions had I been given a chance to. My DP actually ran out the door with DS, to the car, as we're so close to the hospital, and I guess he could see I wasn't going to be able to get an ambulance.

DS started breathing in the car and when we arrived at the hospital from a medical point of veiw, as far as they could see, he was perfectly fine - and hasn't had any issues since.

I did childrens first aid last week, which involved about 4 hours of CPR training - the trainer said that IF you ever need to use it, it needs to be 2nd nature, as ANYONE would be panicking, which is why we spent 4 hours doing it over and over and over, until my shoulders and back hurt from practising it.

BUT, now, I'm confident, had I known what to do, sure, I'd still have been hsysterical, there is nothing that could take that away - but I think my feeling of being totally helpless was debillitating in that situation. Its all 'in theory' as he did survive, but had he been choking, or required CPR to start breathing, we simply would not have been able to do it - we were really lucky that he came back to us on his own.

I guess I dont want to scare anyone! I just wanted to put it out there... I think doing some form of first aid training, just to be a member of society, makes so much sense to me now - but even more so if your a parent.

markandjacksmum
11-07-2009, 16:03
A really good point chel87. I never used monitors or alarms with my children, and I had done first aid and CPR training but I knew I prob would have been a mess and had to call an ambulance. I am training to be a doula now and have to do a child CPR course for that (it's all changed since I lat did it 10 yrs ago). May I ask who you did your course with?

beck mum to zane and ty
11-07-2009, 16:17
I have never brought any monitors or anything. And I'm a nurse, so have all the first aid training. But do believe that it is different when it is your own.

Opinionated
11-07-2009, 16:26
I don't have the monitors, but have done and updated my first aid training 3 times since having children. I am confident that I would know what to do. That being said, I would love a defib machine. Hopefully in the next 5 years or so, any first aider can afford one and be trained to use it. They are amazing, but at $3K a bit out of my range at the moment.

Boobycino
11-07-2009, 21:27
Wow, this is really good to hear. I assumed everyone was slack like me! I'm so proud of you girls!

I did it through St Johns Ambulance. I did have a quicky CPR training at the hospital before they let us take DS home after his 'episode' but because it was just a brief once-over plus we got a information sheet on ABCD thing, I seriously doubt if I'd have done much better a 2nd time around. Now I'm pretty sure, even though I'd totally fall apart, I'd at least have SOMETHING to fall back on if I could muster the tiniest bit of sanity.

I also would like a defib, I like the idea of defib machines being like a fire extinguisher, that its just something that you have.

Two To Be Three
11-07-2009, 23:19
i have the monitors and yes i have done the st john ambulance training CPR for Babies aswell as children and i tell you this much Catlin stopped breathing on me when she was 2 weeks old and she had the monitor on and i still didn't know what to do the only thing i done was called OOO and after it was all over i started thinking, that why didn't i do what i was taught on my own baby, yes i did pick her up and made sure there was nothing in her mouth but i didn't do anything else as i didn't remember even tho i did the course 6 weeks b4 i had he,

sandy81
11-07-2009, 23:59
I have done first aid over and oevr again because of my work.I hope that I would be abole to perform it on my son if needed but in a panic i dont know if I could.

My Dh has done a quick course too.

They should make courses compulsary for new parents.

We do have themonitor in my sons cot, even now that he is nealry 18 months old we still use it. I think I would like to know ASAP if he stopped breathing to give him the best chance possible.

Boobycino
12-07-2009, 11:46
They should make courses compulsary for new parents.
.

I agree - or have Infant first aid the same as doing your birthing classes. It simply didn't occur to me to do a class while I was pregnant - though had it been like where the midwives said "so, have you done a birthing classes?" they also said "so, have you done a baby first aid class?"

Shananaaah
12-07-2009, 13:43
I agree - or have Infant first aid the same as doing your birthing classes. It simply didn't occur to me to do a class while I was pregnant - though had it been like where the midwives said "so, have you done a birthing classes?" they also said "so, have you done a baby first aid class?"

I would have preferred a lot of the content of our ante-natal classes to be replaced with even basic first aid. So much of what was taught was irrelevent. If I knew I would be given basic first aid training/baby CPR or similar, I would have been so much more satisfied with them.

I'm actually trying to organise a group training with some friends with bubs - there are many organisations that can come out to your home and do group classes. A

After DD's monitor went off a couple of weeks ago (she seemed to have stopped breathing, I shook her tummy and called her name and she started again. Then I cried for 3 hours sitting next to her) I am all for learning this lifesaving stuff!!!

TripleTime
12-07-2009, 15:51
Being a prem parents, we've gone from having 7 weeks with monitors to nothing over night.

DD1 is know for having apnia's (spl) which is why she is on medication to help prevent it. If something was to happen either of them, yes we do know what to do. We also have infant CPR instructions all through our house.

ETA - I put it into practice on a daily basis.