Any Experiences with Womens Hospital?

Who is the 'someone'? If it wasn't a directive from the hospital, I'd suggest you call them to find out their exact policies before you panic.

In all my experiences with the hospitals, the siblings of the baby can come in whenever the mommy wants. All of my children came to see their new sibling as soon as they were born, but other kids (their cousins, etc) could not.

Unfortunately for new families it is true. I had my baby boy in January and my 2 1/2 year old could not come up to see her new baby brother. I felt the same way you did. I had never been away from her for that many consecutive days and I found it very difficult to be away from her. When I got home from the hospital with the new baby I felt like she had changed so much and all of a sudden was a big girl and it even seemed like it took her a few hours to warm up to me. I can't blame her...I leave her for the longest I have ever been away from her and then I bring her this strange new baby who is taking everyone's attention. I feel it is not the best way for new families to adjust especially not with older siblings involved. I understand the extreme risk of RSV, but couldn't they wear the protective gowns, masks, and whatever else would be needed to keep everyone sanitary. I think it would have helped everyone to have a little time together in the hospital and begin to adjust to our new family. Just my opinion. I was very sad, but we worked very hard once the baby was home to give her a lot of individual attention. Luckily he slept a lot those first few days so she got some time for herself with mom and dad. Good Luck!

Hey T. I had Brody in February there and I think that is considered RSV season too I had so problems they let Jade up and even our little cousins so I don't know if december is different but I had no issue! Tiff

I was told that too but it actually depends on the nurses on staff at the time. They tend to let siblings come in anyway. My son was born in March in RSV season but they let my oldest come in to see him. You will kind of have to wait until the RSV season starts. it depends on how bad it is and what is going around and if you child is sick and what the nurses think.

Congratulations on the pregnancy. My friend had her daughter in November and she was told only siblings could come into the maternity ward during RSV season and only if they were not sick(runny nose, coughing, etc.). But you should call the hospital directly to find out what their policies are.

Hello! Congrats on the pregnancy! I had my second son Feb 3rd and my 18 month (at the time 18 months old) was able to come see us. In fact I gave brith and my son was there 45 mins in the birthing suite to see his brother and then we all walked up to my recovery room. This was at Banner Thunderbird Hospital.

(I think it depends on how bad rsv is going around from what they told us. Call your hospital and find out what they will and will not do)

T.,

I had my son in January at TMC. My daughter, who was 19 months, was allowed to visit. Check with the hospital, but I believe that they will allow siblings. Congratulations and good luck with your expanding family.

D.

The whole germ thing (brought in by other patients, guests, or hospital staff themselves) is a good reason to consider giving birth at home with midwifery support, if you can. There are a lot of other routine annoying hospital restrictions you would not have to deal with if you gave birth on your own turf.
But if you can't even consider it, I'd try to get discharged as soon as possible, yes, even if it ticks the authorities off.
A four year old is going to go through ups and downs adjusting to a new sib no matter how it happens though. If she has any concept of sharing time or physical demonstrations of affection, she may at least grasp the concept that she will have to wait for your attention. Grasping the concept and actually coping with the new reality are another matter. At least you are not a single parent and maybe you have some other family, close-friend support in those first few weeks, so older daughter could find comfort from more than one adult in the home?

Hi T. -

I gave birth to my daughter last December and children were not allowed on the labor and delivery floor of the hospital. My friend gave birth to her son 2 weeks after me at a different hospital and they were still allowing children in the labor and delivery unit of that hospital. it will all depend on the hospitals policy that you are delivering at. I have also heard that after a certain amount of cases of RSV are reported that is usually when they do not allow children around the babies. Congratulations on your upcoming child.

I had my daughter in Dec last year and we had other children in the hospital her sister who was 2 and 2 cousins that were 8 months and 3 at the time. I had asked my dr. before I had her he said RSV season doesn't really start until Jan.-Feb. Just check with the Hospital they also said they would post a sign outside if they didn't want young children in due to RSV.

Hi T.,
Your child will be able to come and visit the baby during RSV season. The hospital will just ask that all the child's shots are up to date. The hospital will ask that other children such as nieces and nephews or friends children not visit in the hospital during RSV. Your own child is fine. Hope this helps. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.

My kids were allowed to visit my baby during RSV season and my baby was in intensive care (NICU). They allowed only siblings and no other children because she was in ICU. Ask your hospital. I'm sure, if they aren't sick at the time, they will be allowed to come to the hospital. I actually had two babies and my kids were allowed to visit each time.

Hi T., I think it is like that at all hsopitals. I had my third child in February and they did not let kids in, they didnt even let my mom in to see the baby. I also have a 3 and 5 year old and my baby actually had to stay for 23 days in the nicu because she was 6 weeks early.I know that RSV is pretty serious for newborns so i think if you have a normal delivery you should be home the next day or two. its better to be safe than sorry. There was a family who came to the hospital to visit theyre baby and brought siblings and another baby in the unit got RSV and ended up in the emergency. I think your three year old will be okay. Good Luck. Cyndi

I know that at a lot of hospitals siblings are the only children allowed in the maternity wing during certain seasons. My nephew was born last December and my neice (his big sister) was 2 at the time. She was allowed to come and visit, but no other children were allowed to visit. I am not sure if that is the same policy at all hospitals or not.

I'm not able to answer your question, but...If the hospital is not able to give you the birthing experience you truly desire perhaps you could think of alternatives such as home birth? I know it's not for everyone but here's my 2-cents:

I had a home birth and it was so wonderful to cuddle in bed with my 3-yr old daughter, baby and husband in the morning all together. It was such an idealic and wonderful experience for me and my husband to share as a family. I had had my first in the hospital and it was pretty good as far as they go, but I really wanted this perfect experience - no nurses bugging us a gazilion times etc.

Hilary Schlinger was my midwife, she probably one of the most experienced midwives in ABQ and REALLY knows her business and trains other midwives - she is obsessed with knowing all the latest information (WAY more so than my old, close-to-retiring OB!lol!). She's been doing this forever - she has all the safety equipment (oxygen tanks etc) and is highly prepared for any emergency and has practicing rights at UNMH, but can work with any hospital. Totally covered under my insurance too.

If you research it, the statistics are astounding at how much less complications happen in homebirths - in England, where birthing has been de-medicalized (meaning only high risk births are now done in a hospital) as soon as this was made law, the infant mortality rate instantly decreased significantly - similar findings were found in other countries as well, such as the Netherlands. Many countries are following suit. I know it's not for everyone, but if you have an older child that wants to share in the experience (my daughter was asleep during the actual birth) then this is a possible solution.

And it was the most relaxing and safe feeling birth I could have every imagined - something that I think definitely contributed to my amazingly fast and smooth 2 hour labor! I loved being able to stay exactly where I was comfortable and in control with my own cozy bed, etc - and hey, none of those nasty infections people notoriously pick up at the hospital, blech! lol!

Either way, BEST OF LUCK to you and your upcoming birth, regardless of what your birthing choices are.

P.S. I totally forgot to mention that I also did hypnobirthing, I did feel pain, but I felt totally in control and relaxed and once again my labor was so very fast I'm sure in great part to this and my ability to focus.

P.P.S. Sorry this was soooo long, I hope I don't come off as pushing this, I just like putting it out there since your hospital may not be able to give you the whole birth experience you are seeking;-D

That doesn't sound right. I would check with the hospital and make sure but I don't see any reason why they wouldn't let your daughter in to see her new sibling.

Hi T.,
Unfortunatly it is true that she will not be able to go. My now 7 month old son was born in December. I have 7 year old twins who were 6 at the time, and even tho they are past the RSV stage, they are still carriers and they were not aloud any were near the labor and delivery. I had a c section and was there for 4 days. While I was there, a family sneaked into the area with 4 kids and got security called on them and all the doors to the labor and delivery area got locked immediatly!! RSV can be a very serious illness in an infant, even death. Every year it gets worse and worse and hospitals are really taking it serious. Most of the hospitals have a sibling class that you can sign her up for. I think she is old enough that she can benefit from it to some point. It is alot of fun and they even get a certificate saying they completed a big sister class. So just call the hospital were you are having your new one and ask for information on the sibling class. Good luck to you and your family. And she will be able to see the baby the minute you walk out that door!!

I had a c-sec in December at Scottsdale Osborn and they allowed small children to visit. :)