Does the Baby stay or go?

btm013

Hello beautiful mama's out there! I'm curious about your hospitals policy on what happens after you deliver your baby - whether it be vaginally or via c-section. I just found out at my birthing class the standard protocol at the hospital where I will be delivering is the baby is taken to the nursery for about an hour or so to clean him/her up, run tests, etc. The father can only watch from outside the glass. This really bothers me...and I'm not sure if it's me being a paranoid FTM. Who knows, maybe I will want/need that break?! If it's a c-section, I understand I will need to be in recovery for some time and they estimated I won't get the baby for over an hour! I'm honestly contemplating switching hospitals - and subsequently OBGYN practices - this late in the game (32w3d) because I know the other hospital does everything in the room and the father can be present at all times. Am I thinking too much into it?

babybean9

Maybe we just too similar, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that either. I'm having a homebirth, but my understanding where I live is they don't like to take the baby out of the room and everything is done beside mama.

If you're happy with the care you've received thus far I don't know that I'd switch practises. Do you get any say on the matter at all? It should be something you can opt out of if you wish I think.

KaLikeAWind

Ooh, good question. My hospital tour is part of my birthing class next month, so I probably wouldn't have even thought of this until they mentioned it then. It doesn't matter to me anyway, as I have only that one hospital to choose from, but I'm interested in the replies to see how it differs from place to place and to see if I can get ideas to ask about at my place.

caitlincunn

@btm013 I had a c section last time and was pretty out of it, I saw my daughter for a few minutes and then she and my boyfriend went to the nursery (he went in with her.) not sure how long they were there. this time I'm hoping for a VBAC but either way I want the baby with me as long as possible before going to the nursery. I don't think you would want to be apart that long especially if you deliver vaginally.

Serenamarr

Is it just that that is the protocol, or they will not allow you to do otherwise? You should be able to ask them 1. Not to clean the baby until you are ready/have bonded and breastfed if that's what you are choosing, 2. Do any tests they need in the room in your presence. There is no reason to take baby from you. At my hospital they encourage rooming in and I specifically asked if there would be any reason (barring emergency) that baby would need to be separated from me at any time and they said no. Although they have a nursery, I don't plan on using it at all.

btm013

They said the main reason they have to take the baby to the nursery is because of the warmers. That's where they are located. There is no way around it. What bothers me even more is they keep stressing the importance of skin-to-skin contact/bonding but then why take the baby away? Of course emergency situations are out of necessity!

Serenamarr

The best warmer is being on mamas chest!!! A healthy baby shouldn't need anything more than that with a blanket draped over both of you. That's what skin to skin is! They sound bogus.

laurendutch

My hospital policy for c-sections is to take the baby to the nursery for the first hour while I am getting sewn up and in recovery. My husband is able to be with her at all times. I'm disappointed too but don't want to switch Drs again

foxa319

I work in l&d and in my hospital you deliver in l&d then are sent to post partum after a couple hours of recovery which is a separate area. Babies have to go into the nursery for about 15 mins just to be properly checked into the post partum wing. They check all their id bands, security sensors and do a quick set of vitals and can be brought back to mom! It has to do with security reasons at my hospital. Each baby has a sensor put on their umbilical cord which correlates to their mom and room so they can't be taken out of the postpartum wing before discharge when the sensor is taken off! The sensors are activated in the nursery.
Hospitals all have different protocols and nursery nurses are wonderful so don't fret! I'm sure you and dad can wait at the window and watch if it makes you more comfortable!

Sammadden27

This all sounds so weird to me. The hospital I am delivering at the baby never leaves your room. If the baby had any need to go to a NICU, they bring the NICU to your room and the baby stays there. If you have a c section, they put the warmer just feet away from your face and clean the baby there and dad can hold the baby at any time. They also said it doesn't take more than 30 minutes to sew you back up. If you choose the baby can stay on your chest the whole time you're sewn up.
All these reasons are pretty much why I chose to deliver where I am. I would switch hospitals if I were you. But I'm also hitting this scary controlling phase in my pregnancy so that might be a hormone induced decision. Do what feels best but ask questions before you decide.

Ana0927

At our hospital the baby stays with you the whole time. I had a c-section too. I got to hold the baby right away. She stayed with me the entire time in the or did all test there and didn't give her a bath until I requested it. She was wheeled into recovery with me where I nursed her right away and then came to the room with me. She stayed with me unless requested she be taken to the nursery which I did at night so I can get some sleep between feedings.

I delivered twice there and this was case. Can you request the baby stay with you? Can you make it part of the birth plan? I know some things are out of your control but it doesn't hurt to ask

klkonwi

It's sad they don't have a warmer in the csection room. I would request that they take baby for the 15 min and bring baby back all wrapped/swaddled to you or for you to do skin to skin. We changed to mother baby care over a year ago so baby never leaves mom ! Sucks that your hospital doesn't do this!!!!! They need to be more progressive!

Penwater1

Look up gental c-section and search this forum for skin/skin after c-section. Talk to your doctor, what they hospital may normally do doesn't have to be what is done. Most hospitals and Dr recommend skin to skin after c-section.

esampson1983

btm013 said:

They said the main reason they have to take the baby to the nursery is because of the warmers. That's where they are located. There is no way around it. What bothers me even more is they keep stressing the importance of skin-to-skin contact/bonding but then why take the baby away? Of course emergency situations are out of necessity!

Oh goodness! I would argue that skin to skin is better for both you and baby than the warmers. I was just in a class this afternoon and the nurse stressed the importance of skin to skin.

In the hospital in my area, if you have a successful vaginal birth and you and baby are good you have an uninterrupted hour or so of skin to skin. If you deliver cesarean or you need additional help but baby is good, the father provides skin to skin and you breastfeed when you can.

I would talk to your doctor and hospital and express your wishes for skin to skin. Good luck!

hswan26

Pretty much all of the hospitals near me are "baby friendly" which is designed to support breat feeding. Baby is immediately placed on mom and left there for the first hour. They so the initial testing with baby on mom. Even if you have a c section as soon as your in recovering baby is on you.

They don't take baby to the nursery ever unless your request it or there is a problem. When DD was born I asked them to take her to the nursery for the night so I could rest DH couldn't stay at the hospital because he had stuff at home that had to be attended to. When I called for her back they brought me the wrong baby.

mvargas12

hswan26 said:

Pretty much all of the hospitals near me are "baby friendly" which is designed to support breat feeding. Baby is immediately placed on mom and left there for the first hour. They so the initial testing with baby on mom. Even if you have a c section as soon as your in recovering baby is on you.

They don't take baby to the nursery ever unless your request it or there is a problem. When DD was born I asked them to take her to the nursery for the night so I could rest DH couldn't stay at the hospital because he had stuff at home that had to be attended to. When I called for her back they brought me the wrong baby.

Omg that's a secret fear I've always had! What if I bring home the wrong baby!! That's it. I'm writing my name on her foot with a purple sharpie.

mccall35

Our hospital does not have a nursery. The baby stays with mum at all times (for both csection and vaginal), unless the baby needs to go to the NICU. With my DS, he rode with me from the operating room to recovery and then from recovery to postpartum floor. I'm not sure why a warmer would be needed. All tests were done on me and he didn't get his first bath until day 2 and it was done by the nurse and DH in a little tub on my bed.

Emilywooddesign

That would make me feel uncomfortable also, my hospital the baby does not leave your room- there are warmers in every birthing suite. If it was me, I would consider switching hospitals. Can you keep the same OB?

dancegurl1118

This makes me so sad! We do EVERYTHING in room. Even the bath. Baby never leaves your side unless you request it. Even at c-sections the baby is in dad's arms once it is checked out by the pediatricians (in the OR), and then you are wheeled to recovery with baby in your arms. Literal evidence shows moms and babies are more comfortable when near each other at all times.

I would refuse being separated and demand everything is done in room or that you're allowed to be there. You're the patient and its your child you can demand it.

enigmaticjj

I just took the prep for childbirth class at my hospital yesterday and it included a tour of the maternity ward.  Assuming all goes well, for a vaginal delivery, baby is placed on/with you immediately and you stay in the delivery room for about 2 hours where you can continue the skin to skin contact.  Then they move you to your postpartum room where baby can come with you and stay.  The nurse/teacher did mention that at some point they'd like to wash the baby up when you're ready/willing to let them.  Otherwise, everything else they need to do will be within sight of you in the room.

For a C-section, they place the baby along your neck/chest by your face (both of your arms are strapped down to prevent you from inadvertently contaminating the surgery side of the "curtain" but depending on the anesthesiologist they may release one of your arms so you can touch your baby while he/she is laying on you).  It sounds like this is really just a few minutes because then they take the baby (with dad) across the hall to the recovery room to be weighted and I forgot what else while you get put back together.  Within about 15 minutes you're in the recovery room with baby and can do skin to skin.

The nurse did tell us that we don't have to give our baby to anyone we don't want to.  That we're free to question why a nurse/doctor wants to take them for whatever.  She emphasized that the baby is ours. 

KonaCoffeeBean

My hospital does not separate mom and baby.

MJMum524

My hospital does not separate mom and babe even for a second. If no complications, vitals/APGAR are done after first having chest to chest with mom and all security/sensor bracelets are put on right on mom's chest. The first bath is done later with mom/dad's help if wanted in post partum or you can refuse as some people want to do their own bath at home if you leave the hospital in less than 24 hrs.

btm013

Ok, so I'm not being irrational or crazy!  I've been feeling way more hormonal this last week and I thought maybe it was that. But it seemed like everyone in my birthing class found this completely acceptable whereas I was questioning it and pressing the teacher/nurse about it. Perhaps they think that this is how it has to be and there's no other option. I WANT that other option!! I used to live in Florida (I live in Pennsylvania now) and I know the hospitals there do not separate mom and baby. I was unsure if it was a Pennsylvania thing where they did but this other hospital does everything in the room. I wouldn't be able to keep my OB which is fine because I'm in a practice with three and it's not like i LOVE any of them. I guess I have some research to do now to find another practice! Thank you so much for all of your help.

Serenamarr

It's not a PA thing- we are birthing in a pa hospital and I know all of the St. Luke's hospitals are baby friendlh

JKTitus14

I just found out in my birthing class that the hospital I am delivering at is the same exact way!  We are trying not to get worked up about it and my husband will just go watch from the glass.  However, they did say you get some skin time before the babe heads out for a bit!

findtanya

Hi! It's standard practice at my hospital that baby stays with Mom and has skin to skin contact immediately after uncomplicated vaginal birth for warmth and to initiate breastfeeding which is important to me. There is no nursery. If any issues with baby NICU team comes into room with warmer, or if baby is taken Dad can follow and stay with baby. I Believe after C section baby is taken, but Dad can follow and stay with baby. as mom is still on the surgery table for 45 more mins :S.

ktjohnson87

The hospital I delivered and will be delivering again at is very pro baby never leaving moms side. They encourage all moms to keep baby with them constantly unless medically necessary. I personally would not feel comfortable with my LO leaving my side without good reason. I switched practices and hospitals at 32 weeks last time. It was the best decision I could of made and I had a wonderful birthing experience.

aj1327

findtanya said:

Hi! It's standard practice at my hospital that baby stays with Mom and has skin to skin contact immediately after uncomplicated vaginal birth for warmth and to initiate breastfeeding which is important to me. There is no nursery. If any issues with baby NICU team comes into room with warmer, or if baby is taken Dad can follow and stay with baby. I Believe after C section baby is taken, but Dad can follow and stay with baby. as mom is still on the surgery table for 45 more mins :S.

This is exactly how our hospital does things too!

Kiki119

Ask for skin to skin before heading the nursery... Skin to skin will keep ur baby warmer than the warm

I will def push for skin to skin until baby breast fed and bonded with u before going to the nursery

Jurnee07

Ive narrowed my hospital selection down to two. One near my job and one near home. They both have gotten rid of their central nurseries, so they only offer the baby to be with mom the entire time. Each do skin to skin directly after birth. The baby is only removed from the room for medical emergencies, circumcision and the hearing test. Everything else is performed in the room. .... Awesome, but still a little intimidating for a FTM.

MrsS728

Visiting from M15 with 5 days to go......Each hospital is different, but I would suggest writing a birth plan that states that you want the baby in the room at all times and if the baby has to be removed from the room, your partner must accompany the baby. GL!

Jennym2b

I live in Florida and just found out my hospital leaves the baby with me.for an hour then has the same weird nursery policy as yours. My hospital is about three months on completing training so the baby doesn't have to leave your room but I am not a happy camper and am having a lot of.the same thoughts as you. Ugh so frustrating.

Nhbaby

Do we have "rights" as Mothers to say what we want? I was recently told similar although so long as the baby is healthy they will let me breast-feed and allow for that skin to skin bonding time immediately after delivery. But, they will then take the baby out of the room for testing, etc. My first baby this did not happen. Everything was done in the room so it's hard to just accept the new hospitals' "rules".

CBHoneyB

Our hospital is really awesome. My son never left our room. They do skin to skin immediately and do delayed cord cutting. Every room in l&d is an individual birthing space with everything set up for baby. We have a great staff of obs and midwifes that work great together. I look forward to another birth with this great group.

mrs1374a

My hospital is really baby friendly. I had an emergency c section with my first (3 years ago) and she never left me. Her and my husband stayed in the OR and recovery with me so I could do Skin to skin. I just asked about their policies at my last appointment to be sure they are the same and they said they are even more baby friendly and if I was to do skin to skin while they are stitching me up from my c section I can.

spacemav

Yeah maybe you should change hospitals. Mu hospital lets you have skin to skin for 6 hours before they even bathe the baby all the way. They also encourage rooming in. Go with a hospital and doctor who has the same ideas as you otherwise you might have an experience that you regret.

shawnaNichloe

This is my 3rd LO and they take then into the nursery for a hour like you said but the window is wide open so visitors and dad can see everything. Trust me after going through labor and delivery that hour won't seem so bad. Plus after that they brought the baby back to me as soon as I called and can stay in the room your entire stay as long as you left the door cracked

Frogger5

shawnaNichloe said:

This is my 3rd LO and they take then into the nursery for a hour like you said but the window is wide open so visitors and dad can see everything. Trust me after going through labor and delivery that hour won't seem so bad. Plus after that they brought the baby back to me as soon as I called and can stay in the room your entire stay as long as you left the door cracked

That last part made me laugh - like they don't trust you alone with baby? (Like our parents made us keep the door cracked if boys were in our rooms!)

CurlyMom78

Our hospital keeps baby with us the entire time unless she needs to go to the NICU. But i guess I'm out of the norm opionin here. I wouldn't mind them taking her to a healthy baby nursery if I wanted to get some sleep. I'm not all that paranoid about her being taken (even though there are more weirdos out there now or her being switched) or not worried about not bonding with her 24/7. I was taken out of my moms hospital room (and formula fed) so she could get some rest after I was born multiple times (not right after I was born but about 5 hours after she said) in the 70's and I adjusted well and are completely bonded with my parents.

KonaCoffeeBean

My hospital won't take the baby from the room at all. I would not even consider a hospital that removes baby from mom routinely.

Frogger5

CurlyMom78 said:

Our hospital keeps baby with us the entire time unless she needs to go to the NICU. But i guess I'm out of the norm opionin here. I wouldn't mind them taking her to a healthy baby nursery if I wanted to get some sleep. I'm not all that paranoid about her being taken (even though there are more weirdos out there now or her being switched) or not worried about not bonding with her 24/7. I was taken out of my moms hospital room (and formula fed) so she could get some rest after I was born multiple times (not right after I was born but about 5 hours after she said) in the 70's and I adjusted well and are completely bonded with my parents.

I'd like the option, too! But my hospital says the baby has to stay with you. I'm definitely not worried about him getting taken, but it would be nice to recover more from the birth before going home. Oh, well, it'll have to be that way!