I never thought I’d be worrying about the hospital water in my town. In the tap water, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was recently discovered. For most healthy adults, this bacterium isn’t a huge threat; it might cause a skin rash or an ear infection. But for newborns, infants, and anyone with a weak immune system, it can be serious. It can lead to skin infections, ear infections, urinary infections, or in the worst-case scenario, bloodstream infections. So no wonder that we are worried.
When we found out, my first thought was: should we just go to another hospital? Well, the thing is, the hassle of transferring, the stress, the unknowns – it all feels overwhelming. So in the end, we decided it was better to stay put, because the hospital has been using bottled water for drinking and bathing babies, and the staff are aware of the issue and actively disinfecting the water system. Still, it’s hard not to feel anxious.
It’s a strange feeling to be in a place that’s supposed to be safe, yet know there’s this invisible risk. I will watch my wife carefully, watch our baby, and remind myself to stay calm. I will keep an eye on every little symptom: a tiny fever, unusual fussiness, anything out of the ordinary, because I know early attention makes a huge difference if an infection were to appear.
At the same time, I try to keep perspective. The hospital is managing the situation, the water restrictions are in place, and serious complications are rare. I keep telling myself that the key is to stay informed, follow the precautions, and act quickly if anything seems wrong. I’ve realized that in situations like this, you can’t control everything; but you can control how careful you are and how attentive you stay.
In the end, it’s a strange mix of fear and gratitude. Fear, because no parent wants to worry about bacteria in the water where their baby is staying. Gratitude, because the staff are probably working hard, and because small actions – like using bottled water and sanitizer – can make a real difference. And somehow, amidst all this stress, I try to focus on the bigger picture: welcoming our baby safely into the world, one careful step at a time.