Navigating Pediatric Appointments: A Parent’s Experience

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Waiting for pediatric appointments can be a lengthy endeavor, and my recent experience was no exception. Whether this wait is typical for all pediatricians or just ours remains a mystery. Perhaps it stems from the assumption that parents of young children often struggle with punctuality, leading to a more relaxed approach to scheduling.

On a recent visit for my daughter Emily’s six-month checkup, I found myself in the waiting room, watching as she relaxed in her car seat. The familiar sounds of Mister Rogers played on a loop from the small television, lulling me into a sleepy daze. As Fred welcomed me into his neighborhood, I suddenly noticed a fellow mom enter the waiting area, her baby, about the same size as Emily, nestled in a car seat.

After a brief exchange about the weather and our babies’ ages, she started energetically rolling her baby’s car seat back and forth on the floor. The delighted squeals and giggles from her child piqued my interest. Inspired, I attempted a similar motion with Emily’s car seat resting on my lap, but my efforts were met with an unimpressed stare from my daughter.

During this time, I caught sight of something unusual on the top of Emily’s left ear—a small dark spot that resembled a pencil-eraser-sized hole. My heart sank at the thought. Surely, this was something that should have been noticed by now. I leaned in closer to investigate, but my perspective was limited, and I noticed the other mother had moved further away, perhaps sensing my unease.

Upon closer inspection, I realized the dark area was not a hole at all but dried blood. Relief washed over me momentarily, only to be replaced by alarm. Dried blood raised a new set of concerns. How had I missed this? Why was I allowed to leave the hospital with a baby who had such a problem?

Emily, typically a calm child, seemed unfazed by my poking and prodding. Instead, she gazed at her hands, seemingly more preoccupied with her own exploration than with any discomfort. The blood was located high enough on her ear that I doubted it indicated a serious issue, but I was still torn about whether to mention it to the pediatrician. Would he judge me as a negligent parent if I revealed my late discovery?

Ultimately, I decided to be honest with him, omitting the part about my initial confusion regarding the nature of the spot. I preferred to appear merely forgetful rather than deceptive. To my surprise, the pediatrician remained calm. “Oh, I bet she scratched herself with her nails. Look, she’s about to do it again!” Sure enough, Emily was tugging at her other ear with her tiny fingers.

“It happens all the time,” the doctor assured me, easing my worries. I took a moment to appreciate his professionalism, especially when he brought up the potential presence of lead paint in our home—an inquiry he likely extends to all parents during these checkups, not just mine.

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In summary, waiting for pediatric appointments can lead to unexpected moments of parental concern and discovery. It’s essential to approach these situations with honesty and to trust in the expertise of healthcare professionals.