Refusing access because of the flu

[havsulen]

My local hospital has made a new rule saying that the birthing women can only bring one person at the birth (their partner). This is said to be a temporary rule because of the flu.
Anyone else experienced this?

I have a client waiting for her labour to start, and as a doula I am not sure of what to do to help her now.

[rebirth]

wow... have her talk to her OB. I know in my area OBs can and do override standard policy/protocol.

However it is comepletely legal as far as I understand. A woman has the right to one support person, but more then that is just a nicety.

I'd also call your certifying association, and see if they have any advice. This is so sad.

[mamato3cherubs]

This is just unreal to me. I wont say more

[womenswisdom]

I've been considering whether to take clients this winter (don't have any past sept yet) because last year some hospitals required that support persons show proof of flu vaccine, which i won't get. I'm leaning more and more toward taking a break this winter.

[OMama]

How did you hear this? From the woman herself, and if so, who told her? Or from someone else? That may make a difference on how you move forward. I would still do everything possible of course to find a way to be present. What a poorly thought-out policy. Yikes.

[havsulen]

I actually heard it from the local newspaper - a midwife was interviewed about the new policy.

Where I live, in Norway, midwifes run most of the hospital care for birthing women - I could call them MEDwives to give you an understanding. They have a lot of routines and time limits to live up to, this being just another addition to the list of not-so-useful-really.

[OMama]

Thanks for the clarification. You know the system a lot better there of course. But would it work to "play dumb" and just show up? Do you think everyone knows of the policy or may some midwives and nurses would just ignore it and allow you to be there? Maybe it is one thing if they say you can't be there but perhaps if you were to just show up they would let you stay. But that may be very stressful for your client if they do ask you to leave. On the other hand if she really wants you to be there maybe if she strongly requests your presence that could make a difference. I know that here there are definitely some policies that the hospitals have in which there is some wiggle room and things don't always have to go according to policy.

Have you decided yet what you will do or have you gotten any other information? Keep us posted and best of luck!

[jennybean0722]

I say play dumb and show up, but PREPARE partner before hand, big time. Tell them to be extremely forward with the staff on momma's wishes....and hope for the best if you can't be there.

[Maggi315]

I'm positive that's going to be happening around here...when the flu scare hit in the spring, it was NUTS at the hospital and nursery...and school is just starting this week and the newspapers are already carrying flu warnings and talk of shutting down for weeks at a time...

I don't think talking to anyone will help if they have a "policy" (I always thinks thats funny, policies are just ways to make rules and then not have to discuss them, like refer back to my 'policy')

Sad though, to let fear of something like the flu ruin someone's happiest, most special day!

If people want to be scared, then be scared of the superbugs people are getting at the hospital right and left and LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL COMING AND GOING...OK, just my opinion!

[Charmie981]

Originally Posted by Maggi315

If people want to be scared, then be scared of the superbugs people are getting at the hospital right and left and LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL COMING AND GOING...OK, just my opinion!

No advice for the OP, but Barb, you hit the nail on the head here!!

[mysticmomma]

any update on this?

[havsulen]

Thank you so much for encouraging me!

I just came back from the doula job, and luckily I was able to come into the hospital and stay with the mother the whole time. They did try to scare me by saying that other midwives might not let me stay, but I just stayed and nobody threw me out.

Had a long warm shower when I came home, though - just to get rid of all the NASTY hospital germs...: