I am currently 4 days past due with my second child and my parents are leaving for Mexico tomorrow night (I'm super bummed about them scheduling this trip so close to my due date and missing the birth, but that is another story). Chances are this baby will be born within the next week while they are gone. My question is would you let them come to our house the day they get back from Mexico (after a shower at least) or would it be better to have them wait a day or two to make sure they didn't bring home any illnesses/bad germs from Mexico. They are going to Cancun and staying in a nice resort, but I'm sure they will be out and about in the town.
Side note, when I was pregnant with my daughter almost 3 years ago I was told by my doc to stay away from them for 3 days after they returned from Mexico (yet again, another trip around my due date). The reason this time was because there was an out break of an illness in Mexico (I can't remember which, maybe bird flu or swine flu?). This year I haven't heard of any outbreak in Mexico, but it's still a foreign country with foreign germs.
Any thoughts you have would me much appreciated!! I don't want to make this decision out of bitterness that they are leaving, but only with the health of this very new born baby in mind.
I just was my doctor today and asked her what she thought. She said definitely keep them away from the baby for 2 days to make sure they didn't bring anything home with them. I am not a germaphobe at all, actually the opposite typically. But in the case of a few day old baby and Mexican viruses/parasites that our doctors are not familiar with, I would rather be cautious as well.
Thanks for everyone's replies!
No one in my family came to visit for 2 or 3 weeks after my daughter was born. I liked it that way. I would ask them to stay away for several days.
Maybe if you get them a hazmat suit they could come visit.
If they take a shower and wear clean clothes it will be fine. The sooner your baby gets exposed to some germs the faster his/her immune system will be good and strong.
Being a germaphobe makes your kids sick and get allergies.
For such a new litttle one, any germ is a new & foreign one. I don't see it as a big deal.
My very best wishes for your family on your precious new addition! How exciting!
I would ask for at least 72 hours to be sure they don't bring something back home to your newborn. Best wishes and I hope that you have a healthy, speedy delivery!
I think that is pretty extreme. If you leave your house are you going to ask everyone you come in contact with if they have been to Mexico? You could catch something and pass it on to your baby just as easily. Cancun is not in a 3rd world country. I just got back from there and it is really no different than any other resort town. You can't protect your child from everything they are going to get sick a lot the 1st year of life and there is not a lot you can do about it.
do what you feel is best. if you feel better with them waiting a few days tell them.
I have friends in St. Paul that were in Mexico from last Saturday until Wednesday. They went to the Dr. this past Saturday and got the fun nasal swab. They have confirmed cases of Influenza A.
Good thing they got their flu shots this year.
funny that you post this question. When we travel, our dil has a one
week rule for us that we cannot see the now 3.5 year old and 9 year
old. ONE WEEK! Because we were away and traveling on a plane. Again, one of her "things" that make our life a challenge.
A newborn is a little different situation. I'd check with the doctor and
see what he/she says.
Excuse me but they are grown people and have lived and worked and have earned the right to travel. You think you are the only one that will probably not have their parents present when baby comes? You should really grow up.
Personally, I'd make them wait a few days (at least 3). But it's on your comfort level. We are not germaphobes in our family (you really cant be and have large dogs, imho! :), but with a baby it's different--their immune systems are not fully developed (no offense, Rev. Ruby, but I thoroughly disagree--it's one thing to be a germaphobe when the kid is 6m old or older, it's another when the baby is newborn.... There is a reason docs & pediatricians call the first 3 months of life the "fourth trimester").
Anyway, I'd make them wait. If they wanted to see the baby right away, they maybe could've planned their trip differently.
I was totally confused by one mom at church that I did not know well. She has stayed in another state to finish her law degree while hubby come on to Oklahoma, bought a house, and started a new job. She was busy when she finally came to live here and not an active part of our play groups and such since she worked all day. So I didn't know her well, not more than to say a few words to in passing at church.
She had a baby and I figured we'd get to see him the next Sunday. They didn't come, nor the next week or the next. She kept the baby secluded from everyone except her hubby and herself. He took off work the 6 weeks too.
They felt very strongly that babies get too exposed to germs by visitors too early in their life and they need that time free from exposure.
I had never heard this but would seriously consider it if I were having kids today. Too many illnesses out there that can take a serious toll on people and especially babies.
I would call your doctor for some serious suggestions. He would know better. There hasn't really been an outbreak of flu yet. They're expecting it late in the season in April.
On a side note, why in the world would your parents plan to be gone every time you give birth? That's odd, lol!
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets.
