Rachel says,
<< Lactation is as normal as =
respiration or circulation or urination, things my body does all by =
itself as the need arises, and not because of a prescription I have been =
given or an operation I have had. >>
exactly! And we don't see anyone if our breathing is normal and our heart is
working fine, and we're peeing without burning. But if we suddenly can't
breathe, or are wheezing, or we are having chest pain, or burning on
urination, then something is out of whack, and we need to see someone with
expertise in the area to help us figure out how to treat it. The same thing
happens w/ breastfeeding. When lactation is going normally, and mom is happy
and not in discomfort, and baby is happy and gaining weight -- then they
don't need any of us -- certainly not me. But when it is out of whack, and
mom is in pain, and/or baby isn't gaining or neither of them are happy with
the situation, then it calls for intervention. Intervention may be as simple
as adjusting the latch or breast compression -- but it may be as complex as
needing a medication/herb/etc etc to care for it. So yes, lactational
diagnoses WOULD fit into the situation.
Hyperbilirubinemia simply means that the baby has a bili over 1.5 mg/dl; I
don't have to know what the precise number is to know that the baby has
hyperbilirubinemia. And it IS a diagnosis with a diagnostic ICD-9 code. As
is, BTW, diaper rash. Now, if these have ICD-9 codes, does this mean they
are medical diagnoses and I, as a nurse, can't look at a baby's bottom and
say - "hmmm -- looks like diaper rash to me!" That has now become a medical
diagnoses. And I agree w/ Rachel in that hyperbilirubinemia is a symptom --
or maybe simply a way of expressing that the bilirubin level is higher than
"normal." But, it is considered a medical diagnosis. So what's diagnosing
and what isn't?
Jan B.
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
