I don't think the real question here is whether or not "mother's intuition"
exists.  At least, I don't think you will get very far convincing the
doctors that the mother has some sort of ESP or ability to see into the
future.  What is at issue here is "taking what patients (especially female
patient) say seriously."  Probably the mother was very accurately reading
perfectly normal (not ESP) cues from her baby that things were *not* right.
She reported those cues and the doctors dismissed her as "neurotic" or
"overly stressed".  Male doctors tend to do this with female patients or
mothers of pediatric patients.

I come in contact with many people with handicapped children, and often the
diagnosis was not made until after the mother had told the doctor several
times that something was not right with her child -- this happens in cases
of autism, deafness, blindness, and many other problems.  Mothers are told
"don't worry your pretty little head about it".  Especially in an ER
situation, I can see how the doctors are busy and rushed and maybe not
spending the time to listen to the mother and observe the baby, but this
happens with regular clinic visits as well.  I know one family where the
mother kept taking her daughter to one doctor after another, and being
reassured nothing was wrong, until finally she went to a dermatologist, who
diagnosed incontinentia pigmentosa, a very rare x-linked dominant condition
involving eye problems, skin problems, and sometimes mental retardation (not
in either the mom or baby in the case, luckily).

When I was pregnant with Peter I remember telling the doctor at my last
visit before delivery that I was worried something might be wrong with the
baby because he didn't move very much (Tai Chi compared to Karate with my
first child, was the analogy I used).  The doctor told me I was being
neurotic and hormonal and not to stress.  When Peter was born three weeks
early, with Down Sydrome, I said "I told you so!!!"  But again, I don't
think was "intuition" but rather an accurate report of fetal movement which
did in fact indicate a problem.  Male doctors especially are quick to
dismiss symptoms reported by female patients especially.  No offense to Jon,
or any of the other wonderful doctors out there who do take the time to
listen and ask questions.....

Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology
Texas A&M University
e-mail to [log in to unmask]
(409) 845-5256
(409) 778-4513