A year or two ago, I had occasion to talk to a mom by phone who had a close
brush with CPS.  The agency was called out on this couple because they
checked their baby out of Hosp A, A.M.A. because they were angry at the
treatment and attitude. This is from memory as I don't have access to my
notes right now.

They had a home birth with a cert'd lay midwife. By their accounts and that
of the midwife who also talked to me, all went well. I don't believe this
was their first baby. Something was not going right during those first 7 -
10 days. Baby was dehydrating & the Pedi ordered mom to STOP BFing and to
check baby in to Hosp A. Mom told me the Pedi was especially angry with her
when he learned of the home birth. Baby also had jaundice. Nurses were
instructed to not allow mom to BF baby. They told her their instructions
were that only nurses were to bottle feed baby. The nurse took baby, turned
her back on the parents and force-fed the baby who was fighting the feeding
for all she was worth. In between, baby had to spend time in the bili-bed,
still crying to be held. Hosp staff would not let parents near the baby.
Baby was used to being with a parent & cried all night in that hosp.

The next morning, the parents told every staffer they saw that they were
going home to find other medical care for their baby & they walked out. The
Pedi & his staff called Child Protective Services but neglected to inform
CPS of the parents' statements. By 10am that same morning, a CPS caseworker
knocked on their door. Dad was dressed in his business suit ready to head
off for his job in mid-mgmt at a bank. Mom was at Hosp B with the baby. Hosp
B has 7 days' LC coverage & allowed mom to actively participate in baby's
care. While mom continued to BF, baby got all the needed care, help & advice
to resolve the dehydration / jaundice problem. After dad explained where mom
& baby were over a cup of coffee in his kitchen, the worker left the house
satisfied that the parents were being responsible in their baby's care.

Even though parents have rights to choose the most appropriate manner of
care for their baby, they are always at risk for other govt intrusion (ie
CPS) depending of the attitude of the first medical caregivers.

Phyllis Adamson, BA, IBCLC
Private Practice - Glendale, AZ
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