Hospital dilema

babybarnhart

I wanted to find out what you ladies thought about my dilema and if you had any advice. My husband and I toured the hospital last night. During the tour the hospital explained the rules about the support person staying with the mom and baby. If you get a private room, the support person is allowed to stay the night. If you get a semi private room, the support person is not allowed to stay. The only way you can get a private room is if #1 there are any available on the day you check in to give birth and #2 you pay $300.

The problem I have with this is not knowing until I arrive that day to find out whether or not there will be a private room available (there are 18 private rooms total). I'm not ok on any level with my husband not being able to stay the night with us. This is my first pregnancy and I've never stayed in a hospital before so this makes me very uncomfortable.

Have you guys encountered this situation before? What did you do? I'm going to talk to my dr about this when I see her in a few weeks but I'm expecting to have to change hospitals which will result in changing dr's as well (which im fine with. I have no emotional attachment to either).

LCB34

My hospital is undergoing renovations and this problem *should* be solved by the time I deliver.

But, currently they have the same policy.  We will be spending the money to get a private room as I am not OK with a semi-private room at all.  To me, it is totally worth the extra few hundred dollars.

 

sarasek

I haven't heard of that but I guess every hospital has a different policy. $300 seems excessive, but then again, it's a hospital. Does your dr deliver at any other hospitals? Check with them and see about switching. I have already looked into it, and the support person has a cot or bed in the recovery room to stay with the mom if they so choose, at no extra expense or anything. I would feel uncomfortable if DH couldn't stay with me either.

Donniesgrrl

My Hospital only has private rooms, But I would switch Hospitals if it did not.  My H stayed all three days in the hospital with me, when DD was born he left to go home and shower and check on the dog, who was being dog sat at home but for the most part he was there.

This time, because we have DD he may go home one night but it all depends, on my delivery and if I feel I need the help at the hospital.  My Parents and his parents are going to watch DD, while I am in the hospital.

niccole_e

My hospital is all private rooms and they allow it. I'd switch hospitals if you really want him there.

tmp-406157062502221

I'm sorry, I have not been in this situation. I haven't asked about it at our current hospital but when I had DD, there was no problem with DH staying with me. I guess I just assumed it was always ok. Have you asked how often it happens that all the private rooms are filled up and they have people in the semi-private rooms?

Mrsmaybebaby

I have never heard if that! our hospital has L&D suites, you're in this room the whole time! I would not go for a "semi-private" room....you just gave birth for crying out loud come'on hospital admins...!!! can you deliver at a different hospital?

Dobie_Mama

My hospital only has private rooms.  I would not be OK with a semi-private room.  I don't feel you would get much rest, particularly if you and your "roommate" both have babies rooming in.

KellyD01

I would definately be switching hospitals! Providers too if they couldn't accomodate the hospital switch. DH stayed w/ me for our whole hospital stay and I wouldn't have it any other way. He'll be with me for the whole time when the twins come as well.

BeckyTheEngineer

Yikes, $300 a night?  You should get a 4 star hotel room for that.  I'm a cheapskate, so in the same situation, I probably wouldn't pay.  If it's just for the nighttime, I would be ok just staying by myself for a couple hours.  Our house is only 15 minutes away though, not sure if that makes a difference.

Sure, you might as well check out other options, but I don't think the overnight room issue would be a dealbreaker for me.

madhatter2003

My hospital also has a mix of semi-private and private rooms, but they RARELY fill up and need to bunk people together in the semi-privates. And they don't make you pay for private either, even though it's policy.

I'd ask how often people actually end up sharing before you switch.

littleanomaly

I pretty much have my choice of the 3 hospitals that my OB delivers at. I've spent an afternoon at the ER of the one closest to us, and had a pretty darn good experience for being hooked up to IVs. It has pretty good reviews too (but apparently the food sucks). I think I'd really prefer a private room, but I don't think that will be a problem at all since they really like to advertise their "birthing suites".

bmx4

I'd switch hospitals (and Drs if needed) to a place that only has private rooms. I actually don't care as much about DH staying with me overnight as I do about recovering privately.

special382

there is a big hospital around here that has the same policy.  You can pay $300 to reserve a private room (and there has to be one available when you go into recovery).  If not you get a semi private.

I am delivering at a hospital with all private rooms because the thought of someone else and their crying baby is not my idea of recovery.  However, you might want to consider letting DH go home to slepp at night.  There isn't anywhere comfortable to sleep in the hospital and with the nurses coming in and out all night, there is no sense in both of you not getting any sleep.  At least if he goes home he will be in a better mood and have an easier time helping you out during the day when you are exhausted because he had a good night's sleep.

babybarnhart

Thanks so much for commenting ladies! You just validated my concerns and instincts I'm going to be researching other hospitals today in case i need to make the change.

koat

I'd be switching hospitals. 

Mine has semi- and private rooms, but the difference is an extra $20 or $40 a night (our insurance covers semi).  Regardless, my husband can stay in either room and I'd expect him to.