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Expectant and Postpartum Moms
Hospital Visitation Policies
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Anonymous
| Now that the whole H1N1 ordel is diminishing, do you think hospitals will change their visitation policies about having children visiting moms in the postpartum units. |
Anonymous
A midwife at Midwifery Care Associates delivering at Shady Grove Hospital told me that in a month or so Shady Grove would probably relax that policy... hopefully in time for my delivery 
If you are birthing sooner, you could maybe call your hospital and ask? |
Anonymous
| Our childbirth instructor last week told us not to expect it to change until May or so - many infectious disease experts expect another wave of H1N1. And btw, this policy is CDC-imposed, so Shady Grove doesn't get to just lift it whenever it decides. |
Anonymous
| I so wish they kept it... I don't want people asking to come to visit!!! |
Anonymous
Same here! When I delivered DD 2 years ago, I never stopped having visitors--people came without calling! And the ILs were in my room ALL THE TIME...ugh...not relaxing and not conducive to learning how to breastfeed. |
Anonymous
| What exactly are the visitation policies right now? No kids? No visitors who aren't immediate family? |
Anonymous
Really? How do different hospitals have different policies then? Or has that changed. I remember reading a thread a while back that cited a bunch of different policies at a bunch of different hospitals. |
Anonymous
At VHC in Arlington and Reston Hospital Center the policy is the same: only visitors above age 18, only 2 at a time and during labor/delivery/post partum only significant order or grandparents are allowed, again only 2 people at a time. No siblings NO EXCEPTION. I just love it!!! |
Anonymous
Then my guess is that you don't have kids yet. No offense, but I am fine with the visitation policies EXCEPT for the no siblings. I have a 4 yo and 2 yo and if I ended up with a c-section, could potentially go quite a while without seeing them/introducing them to baby. They will be worried and upset. Now, during H1N1 flu season, I totally get why they are restricted. It is for a good reason, but come spring/summer, I want the policy gone. |
Anonymous
Like people get flu just during the season... HA HA HA Your child won't get traumatized to wait an extra 36 hours. It won't change their lives, don't worry. And for the record, I have children and it's a way easier to recover when they're not around. |
Anonymous
|
16:16 here.
Apart from unusual situations like peak H1N1 season, it is much more important to allow visitors than restrict them - because contrary to PP's opinion, I would much prefer DC1 to visit me in the hospital (accompany me during early labour if it happens in the hospital and be present during some of the first hours of life of his sister) than stay somewhere and not participate. Giving birth is one of the most important moments in a family's life, it is not a taboo, and children should be part of it. Also our families are in Europe, and we do not have a 100% foolproof plan to care for DC1 during the birth. We will ask friends or in the case of an emergency our next door neighbors, but he will not feel comfortable spending too many hours separated from me, and I do not believe that will induce him to welcome his sister into the world. As for unwanted visitors, you can always spread the word by phone that you are not ready for them, or tell the nurse not to let them in (never tried that but it might work). You or DH can tell them to their face that they can only stay a few minutes - it is the birth of your child, for goodness' sake: learn to speak up now! |
Anonymous
|
I don't want your toddler's snot all over the maternity. Thanks.
Please keep the restricted policy!!! |
Anonymous
Um, my toddler won't be in your room, your private bathroom, or the general nursery. So unless you plan the lick the walls and floors of the hallway, I think you're good. |
Anonymous
Did you know that some viruses and bacteria don't need direct contact to be transmitted? The noise when I'm trying to rest/recover is also annoying! PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME!!! Please hospitals, keep the policy! Now I understand why some fertility clinics don't allow costumers/patients to bring their children in. I can't imagine how painful it is for the mom that just lost her baby to hear the noise of other children while she's trying to recover and grief... |
Anonymous
| The restrictive visitation policies are difficult to some people. I need a c-section for DC #2 and will not be able to see my toddler for 3-4 days, and that's stressing me out. |