Having to share maternity/recovery room in hospital?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never did for my two kids, but wouldn't really have minded, to be honest. Takoma Park Adventist, and Shady Grove hospitals in MoCo.

I had to share and I hated it. The first time somebody brought a special needs kid who was screaming. The roommate had twins and was being discharged, so I had to listen to shuffling sounds and random consultations for three patients for a couple hours as they packed instead of getting to sleep. 2nd baby was covid, only had a mom and baby roommate, that was ok. Third time, I swear to god I was wheeled in at 2am after a c-sec, I woke up the occupants so the husband (sperm donor?) started playing video games next to my head, literally feet away with only a curtain separating us. I left AMA 24 hours later and I swear to god (again) when I left the man was brushing his teeth with an electronic toothbrush. I had PTSD from the sound of a heavy industrial door closing, this man went into the bathroom SOOOOO many times, ignoring the sign on the door saying it was for patients. In the middle of the day I had just fallen asleep and a phone went off next to my head. It was dietary for the roommate. It is basically torture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did for my two kids, but wouldn't really have minded, to be honest. Takoma Park Adventist, and Shady Grove hospitals in MoCo.

I had to share and I hated it. The first time somebody brought a special needs kid who was screaming. The roommate had twins and was being discharged, so I had to listen to shuffling sounds and random consultations for three patients for a couple hours as they packed instead of getting to sleep. 2nd baby was covid, only had a mom and baby roommate, that was ok. Third time, I swear to god I was wheeled in at 2am after a c-sec, I woke up the occupants so the husband (sperm donor?) started playing video games next to my head, literally feet away with only a curtain separating us. I left AMA 24 hours later and I swear to god (again) when I left the man was brushing his teeth with an electronic toothbrush. I had PTSD from the sound of a heavy industrial door closing, this man went into the bathroom SOOOOO many times, ignoring the sign on the door saying it was for patients. In the middle of the day I had just fallen asleep and a phone went off next to my head. It was dietary for the roommate. It is basically torture.

I don't understand your post but agree sharing space in the most vulnerable and exhausting moment sounds awful

A special needs newborn? What's wrong with electric toothbrush? Where were spouses supposed to use the bathroom? I can't even picture this- my spouse and I were alone in our room and never left other than my husband filling water cup

[Anonymous]

This sounds horrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never did for my two kids, but wouldn't really have minded, to be honest. Takoma Park Adventist, and Shady Grove hospitals in MoCo.

I had to share and I hated it. The first time somebody brought a special needs kid who was screaming. The roommate had twins and was being discharged, so I had to listen to shuffling sounds and random consultations for three patients for a couple hours as they packed instead of getting to sleep. 2nd baby was covid, only had a mom and baby roommate, that was ok. Third time, I swear to god I was wheeled in at 2am after a c-sec, I woke up the occupants so the husband (sperm donor?) started playing video games next to my head, literally feet away with only a curtain separating us. I left AMA 24 hours later and I swear to god (again) when I left the man was brushing his teeth with an electronic toothbrush. I had PTSD from the sound of a heavy industrial door closing, this man went into the bathroom SOOOOO many times, ignoring the sign on the door saying it was for patients. In the middle of the day I had just fallen asleep and a phone went off next to my head. It was dietary for the roommate. It is basically torture.

I don't understand your post but agree sharing space in the most vulnerable and exhausting moment sounds awful

A special needs newborn? What's wrong with electric toothbrush? Where were spouses supposed to use the bathroom? I can't even picture this- my spouse and I were alone in our room and never left other than my husband filling water cup

NP. the spouse is supposed to use the public restroom on the floor. Going to the bathroom after childbirth is oftentimes bloody and rinses are needed. It’s bad enough to have to share a toilet w a stranger roommate, let alone w someone else’s husband!

To the OP, I switched practices to a hospital w/ only singles. It’s Not the only reason I switched, but the potential room-share situation stressed me out too much.

[Anonymous]

I have heard of it but it’s a hard no for me. I would not consider delivering at a hospital where that could happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this common?

It depends.

Are you male or female?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this common?

It depends.

Are you male or female?

Are there many men giving birth in maternity wards?

[Anonymous]

I had a private room. Inova Fair Oaks.

[Anonymous]

This would be a hard no for me.

[Anonymous]

Sibley used to be the only local hospital that had shared rooms. Not sure if that’s changed post-renovation or not.

[Anonymous]

I shared at both HC and SG about 20 years ago. First time woman was helpful and pleasant. My first Her second. Second time woman spoke a different language and had tons of visitors. I left after 1 night.

[Anonymous]

No, it is not common IME. I have 5 kids, born in different states and I've never had to share a room or pay extra for a private room. However, when we toured a hospital in LA you had to pay and reserve in advance for a private room at that hospital, we switched providers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sibley used to be the only local hospital that had shared rooms. Not sure if that’s changed post-renovation or not.

Sibley has very large private rooms now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it is not common IME. I have 5 kids, born in different states and I've never had to share a room or pay extra for a private room. However, when we toured a hospital in LA you had to pay and reserve in advance for a private room at that hospital, we switched providers.

In very big cities it's common.

[Anonymous]

Feb 2025 Georgetown University Hospital private