Hospital visitor policy - H1N1

[Ruby2]

So I just found out last week that the hospital where I'm giving birth is only allowing three visitors the entire time that I'm there. Not three visitors at a time, but three visitors PERIOD. The same three people no matter how long I'm there. Counting dh. So actually only two.

This is very upsetting to me. This is the first grandchild on my side of the family and I really want my dad to be a part of the birth. We have a very close family and I always just pictured him being there. Maybe not in the room the whole time, but at least in the waiting room and able to check in on me once in a while. My mom and dh will be there no matter what. That leaves only one spot. I feel AWFUL that we have to choose between dh's mom and my dad. There is no way that dh's mom will be allowed anywhere near me until after I give birth, but after that it only seems fair that dh should have someone from his family there to share that special time with.

But if we give her the spot, that means that my dad will be excluded from the entire thing just so that she can pop in for 30 minutes after the baby is born...that really makes no sense.

Is anyone else dealing with something like this? I know that there's no right answer, but it's just stressful to have do decide who to exclude and change the picture that you've always had in your head...

[NCmama]

That is stupid, and I don't see how they can enforce that.
In fact, of all the "rules" I have heard this one is the dumbest.

[MamaMonica]

Moved to Birth and Beyond.

[AliciaP8]

Our hospital just announced last week that they are allowing 2 visitors (pre identified) and both must be above the age of 12. That means my husband and maybe my 12 year old son or maybe my mother? Oh wait, my doula since she's not a hospital employee? Ack.

[AimeeandBrian]

3 visitors sounds good to me. If I transfer, I only get ONE! And I believe that includes having to choose between my midwife/doula or DH!

[Ruby2]

A few more thoughts on this situation:

I'm PAYING the hospital to provide me with a SERVICE. If they are worried about visitors being sick, then assign a staff person to take visitor's temperatures before they can go in. Charge me extra to cover your cost. This is good CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I can't even imagine being the poor staff person who has to enforce this rule.

Sorry to Aimee and Alicia about the even more restrictive policies at your hospitals. My current plan is to wait until the last minute to go to the hospital and leave asap after the birth! I didn't even want a hospital birth. If I had the extra cash right now, I would switch to hb.

[KristyDi]

That's a really dumb rule. I'm sorry you're having to deal with it. I honestly don't see how that can enforce it.

A friend of mine is struggling because the hospital she planned on birthing at has banned all kids and her 2.5 year old is still very attached to nursing. They're saying her ds won't even be allowed in the waiting room. She's due in 7 weeks and has been looking for a HB MW who can take her. Apparently the ones she's called are fully booked.

[jecombs]

The new "visitation policies" suck! I'm having to adjust my expectations for my up-coming birth as well, because of a hospital policy that will exclude my DD from my birth. I had pictured her being there... but I digress...

Yes, that policy does suck. But, I have to tell you, I was glad to not have too many visitors while I was in the hospital after giving birth to DD. I was totally exhausted between giving birth, learning to breastfeed, taking care of DD's needs, and the constant interruptions from hospital staff to check my vitals, check DD's vitals, do her physical, test her hearing, test her for jaundice. This time around I'm planning a much shorter hospital stay, both because I want to see my DD and because the hospital routines were so exhausting last time. Maybe it would be an option for you too? I'm planning to d/c after 6-12 hrs. Being a FTM, you may want to stay a full 24 hrs and then have most of your visitors when you get home.

[BetsyS]

Ah, that stinks! I'm out of the norm, and I really like having visitors in the hospital. For me, it was much better than having them at home, and I even changed hospitals between #1 and #2 to make it easier for more visitors to come visit me (closer to where most of my visitors lived, instead of the farther away "crunchy" hospital). For us, it was the right decision.

The hope is that flu season might be over before your baby comes???? I hope so, for your sake!!

[khaoskat]

I would almost say for my situation I would love that policy - DH, my doula, and I would make up some crazy third person like my best friend. Heck, I really don't even want visitors the first few days at home, it is hard enough adjusting to a new schedule and baby and trying to keep three kids on their routines for school and such, last thing I need is a ton of people visiting and getting in the way of it.

I want to be alone while I am there. I will stay about 8 hours after birth, unless a c/s, and really need that time to get all the paperwork done, visits with the OB and Ped, pictures, LC visit, etc. Even if I stayed about 12-24 hours I would just want the quiet time.

But, I also do not like the new policies. We have no one to watch our kids for us, so that means I will be giving birth and fighting hospital policies on my own, and even going through a c/s solo if I have to transfer to the hospital.

I do understand where they are coming from. Lots of people are scared of the H1N1.

[Kidzaplenty]

I am not sure of the quantity, but there is a strict "No one under the age of 18" rule now in place at our hospital.

[jillmamma]

Where I plan to deliver, no kids under 10 and only 2 visitors at a time are allowed in. I tend to have fast labors, and both times before I had group B strep and not enough time for the antibiotics before the birth, so the ped wanted to keep the newborn there longer for monitoring...I am hoping to NOT have this issue this time as I will want to get out of there ASAP after giving birth!