This blog originally started out telling all about Raegan's regular daily routine. It was quickly becoming too long. When I finally got to the actual point, I realized all that other stuff wasn't that important.
So here's the important part of the story:
On Friday, Raegan went down for the night around 9:30 pm. Of course we couldn't go to sleep that early, so we put her in our bed (no comments needed-I know this makes us horrible parents, but this is how WE are rollin' for the time being) surrounded by pillows and with a video/audio monitor pointed directly on her hot little self. Around midnight she wakes up screaming. We run upstairs to calm her down. I try holding, walking, singing, talking, lights on and off, and just laying with her. Nothing works. Then she starts making this strange noise. The only way I can describe it is like a cat or dog when they are trying to hack up a fur ball or something. Needless to say I'm scared to death at this point. I pass her off to Jeremy so I can call her pediatrician for advice.
He goes into the bathroom so she can see herself in the mirror. She LOVES to look at herself (wonder who she gets that from). It works! Guess I'll start with that next time. I still wanted to call the doc because she had a new food earlier that day and I wanted to make sure she wasn't having an allergic reaction.
My pediatricians recording ask you to listen to the entire recording as there have been some changes. I'll say! And I'm willing to bet I'm not the only parent that's not so excited about these changes.
They begin with your standard "if this is a life threatening emergency, hang up and dial 911." Then more for this press this and so on. Next, "please note that Childrens Health Care of Atlanta is now charging for their nurse advice line." Then, "if you'd like to have the doctor on call paged, please press #. Please also note you will be charged for non emergent calls. If you are calling about something that can wait until normal business hours, please do so."
First, CHA, aren't they a not for profit organization? If so, how can they get away with this? If not, I guess I'm just spoiled by them never charging in the past. Who are we new moms supposed to call now when our newborn is up crying for hours on end with no relief regardless of what we try? I guess we'll either pay their price or start calling relatives.
And second, my doctors office. Are you effin kidding me? I totally understand that you doctors don't want to be woken up in the middle of the night for a little scratch or a broken nail, but come on! I mean, who decides if this or that could have waited? I also understand that its a tough economy right now and all, but really, charging a scared first time parent for an after hours call to make sure their baby is ok or advise them to go to the ER? As if you don't charge enough already? I pay $20 every time I step foot in the doors there. Its $20 for 10 minute consult that results in a diagnosis of a diaper rash and continue using desitin. And its $20 for a 45 minute consult, 3 shots, diagnosis of a nasal infection and a prescription. Plus whatever the insurance companies pay.
I was in such disbelief about these charges for advice that I actually hung up and called back a second time to make sure I heard right. By now, Raegan has calmed down and is just about back asleep. She burped and farted several times and seemed to be fine. I decided to lay down with her and not find out how much that charge would be.
I'm now thinking about changing doctors. If anyone knows of a good pediatrician in Gwinnett County, let me know. I promise I won't call for a poopy diaper or anything "non emergent" like that...only things like my 7 month old sounds like an animal trying to hack up something.
The End
Laney
P.S. I'm sure I'd think differently if I were the doctor on the receiving end of this gripe, but I just had to vent!
