has your child ever done this? - Parenting Issues Message Board

hope2663 · 10-01-2003, 02:39 PM

My dd woke up in a terrible fit at about 12:30 this morning. She hasnt been feeling well as she is getting her second set of mullers in. I tried to put some orajel on so she wouldnt be in so much pain. She cried so much that she passed out. I called 911 because I thought she was having some sort of seizure and took her to the emergency room. She has never done anything like that before. When I got to the hospital she was fine and the doctor made me feel like such an idiot and told me how this was a classic holding her breathe until she passed out syndrome, which is exactly what the release papers say was wrong with her. I believe them as she fine today, but would any mothers or fathers out there have done the same thing and has this "classic syndrome" ever happened with anyone else?

rrsmom · 10-01-2003, 06:55 PM

Hi, I have actually read that it can happen. Some children can get so worked up that they do pass out from holding their breath. But you shouldn't feel bad about taking her to the hospital. If I hadn't known about it and my child passed out from crying, I would have done the same thing. If the doctor made you feel like an idiot, he's a terrible doctor. I get so mad when I come across doctors like that. You did what just about any parent would do... shame on any doctor who makes a parent feel dumb or neurotic for showing concern for their child. (I bet this has happened at least once to everyone here- I know it has to me) Maybe talk to your pediatrician about it though, just so they can either put your mind at ease about this breath-holding thing, or maybe give you insight as to how to handle it if it happens again. Good luck!

Gabbi · 10-01-2003, 07:59 PM

You def did the right thing!! I would have been scared to death, and I def would have taken her to the hospital. I know when I was younger I did it to my mine several times when I didn't get my way. Her Was this any kind of a power struggle or it just happened? I would talk to the pediatrician. Good luck!!
Gabbi

LinseyM · 10-01-2003, 10:39 PM

YOU DID THE RIGHT THING! You did everything you could for your daughter. THAT is being a good parent. If the doctor treated you like you over reacted, shame on him. My doctor has done that to me for something and it ended up I had a very bad infection in my arm. How were you to know? You did everything you could and congratulations for that. I wish every parent were like that. Being in social work, we don't see that every day.

911_mom · 10-02-2003, 12:13 AM

I have heard of this. They say to blow in their face when they're crying so much that they won't breathe. It will startle them but it will also make them take a breath. Hope this works if it ever happens again but I don't blame you for calling 911, I would have been scared too!