This could have been the worst day of my life

[fightingthecage]

And I'm not even joking. Luckily, it is not. But I'm still posting becaue the thoughts of 'Oh my God, what if...' won't leave me alone.

Basically, Evie fell off her changing table this morning. And she's fine! Perfectly fine. But in that spilt-second between her planting her feet and shoving herself backwards, to the scream that followed...I honestly don't think I've ever been as scared in my life.

The table is about four feet high. She hit her nappy bin on the way down which I guess is a good thing, as it broke the fall. She was a twisted little heap on the floor (I feel sick remembering it) but seems to have come through with nothing more than a red mark on her forehead. I tried to take her to the doctor seeing as she did hit her head but the surgery was closed for the bank holiday - because she seems so utterly normal, I think it's alright not to take her to A&E. A couple of minutes of screaming after it happened and then she was back to normal again. Appetite's fine, not overly sleepy, no prolonged crying. So she's OK. Fine fine fine.

But fucking hell, what if she'd broken her neck or knocked herself out or broken an arm/leg/skull/whatever? What if she'd died? I can't stop thinking about it. She's having a nap now and I can't stop watching her to make sure she's still breathing.

Having a kid is scary, yo.

Comments

[nepheliad.livejournal.com]

I feel really really awful saying this! But I feel as if you need to be warned anyway, if you do go to a doctor about it: over here in the States we're trained in allied health to take any story that involves an infant falling off a table/out of a crib/things involving those sorts of falls with a grain of salt, as they're often excuses for abuse. Seeing as how it isn't abuse the pattern of injury will prove that but if anyone treats you in a kind of icy manner that's probably why.

Some people overreact and want to call everyone an abuser. (I study with one of 'em.)

I'm glad she's okay, though! I mean, of course – I talk super bad – yeah. Kids fall, kids fall a lot and they don't always notice until someone else gets upset.

So long as the soft spot isn't swollen or sunken any it should be fine in my non-pediatric opinion (I do know trauma, though, I know trauma good) and if it is a doctor is your friend.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the warning - I hadn't considered that might happen! Wouldn't let it put me off taking her obviously, but she really does seem fine so I think I don't have to take her to hospital.

Her head's fine, I've checked exhaustively. That's reassuring to know though, thank you! The mark on her forehead isn't even swollen and there are no bumps or odd bits on the rest of her head. I feel better for you saying that though, a medical opinion is always good. :)

[wanttobeatree.livejournal.com]

Oh maaaan. *clutches at you* I almost dropped my cousin once. Like, right out of my arms. Holy shit, it was terrifying, and this was just a cousin thing, not parent/child.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

If there is anything in the world worse than a hurt baby, I've yet to come across it. It's the worst.

[avariel-wings.livejournal.com]

My office is right upstairs from a paediatric clinic. We get a lot of sick babies and toddlers, and they almost always cry. :( It is the worst thing to hear.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Ugh, God. I think that would kill me - must be awful to listen to all the time.

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Ugh, it's awful scary!

But the good news is that babies generally don't tense up if it's an accident and injuries, if any, are minor.

*hugs* You're okay. Baby's okay. Breathe now. *nods*

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Good news! I can't understand how she came through it without getting hurt worse but I guess that makes sense - and thank God for it. heh, I'll work on being able to breathe again.

[shadowofdoubt.livejournal.com]

Oh Christ, how terrifying. *hugs tight* I'm so glad she's okay. <3

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Really really was. But she's OK. (Got to keep reminding myself, heh).

[catch22girl]

*HUGS TIGHT*

Oh, Evie. I'd probably take her to the hospital anyway, as I'm...paranoid when it comes to injuries. But I'm sure she's fine and apparently babies fall off of things, I've heard from people.

Still. VERY scary. *HUGS*

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

If she were at all different from normal, then I would. But she's been laughing and screeching her head off (as is normal, for her) and we've been out shopping - appetite, sleep and bahaviour = all normal. I would have liked her to see her doctor but the surgery was all locked up so...yeah. She's really OK. *repeats that to self*

[introductory.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*!!!!!

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

*hugsback*

[fogg8.livejournal.com]

Oh man. Horrible thoughts (about her getting hurt .ect) I get them all the time. I always thought babies were so small and breakable, but my dad (and everyone else) is just like 'Seriously, they're fine. They just bounce right back up', which is so true. Glad the little one is chipper.

I do remember once, my sister's stupid fucking boyfriend, and baby-daddy, left Alex on the bed asleep whilst we were eating, and he said 'Oh, yeah, he's in bed'. Right, OK, that fine, he must mean Alex's bed, right? Y'know, the crib? No, no he did not. He left him on the bed. Anyhoo, Alex woke up and fell on the floor, I went up to see him, and all I could hear were loud, piercing screams. Went in and saw him face down on the floor screaming his little head off, with blood on his lip.

I swear, scariest moment of my life and he's not even my child. I tear up just thinking about it!

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Heh yeah, people say they bounce. Doesn't feel like they do when they fall though!

God, I feel for you. It's almost the helplessness of them that's the worst, y'know? Like seeing Evie there on the floor and she couldn't move herself and trying to get round the changing table to pick her up and she was just screaming...*shudder* They may bounce but they still need help pretty desperately. I just hate it because I was right there and still couldn't stop it. She just took me completely by surprise.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Oh God, really? *shudders* Ugh, I have a thing about broken legs and it must be even worse on a kid.

There's just so many things that can happen! It'd drive you nuts if you stopped to think of them all so I really try hard not to. It's just really difficult on days like today, lol.

Thank you. She's really fine though, thank God.

[mulefa.livejournal.com]

Glad she's ok - very very scary - one of my sons managed to rock his car seat enough to dislodge it from where I'd just put it - on a friend's worktop. I was right next to it but the seat - with him strapped in - slipped off the edge. The seat demonstrated its safety features since its sides were raised enough to avoid baby making contact with floor but - like you - I was left with 'what might have been' feelings for ages (20 years in fact! LOL)

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Omg, 20 years? *cries* How awful - thank God your son was OK though! But the whole 'what if' thing is a total nightmare. I keep hearing the sound of her hitting the floor...ugh no, I can't think about it. It's too horrid.

[callisto24.livejournal.com]

*huggles*
Having a child is sooo scary! I never imagined before, but it's a new kind of fear!
Blessings!