Tell me about your hospital/Visitor experience?

Baby0322

I told DH that I think I would like to just limit the hospital visitors to grandparents and everyone else can come and visit after we're home. He said, " but they're just excited". I remember being so exausted after having DD and being up for 24 hours. DH's sisters and brothers were out waiting in the hallway for a hour while I was trying to nurse. It was very stressful for me. What if I have a section? How will I feel then? I'm going to be having TWO babies and trying to breastfeed. How do I handle this the second time around. What was it like for you birthing twins vag or section and having visitors?

ziene77

I had a C-section & planned well ahead of time not to have any visitors outside of DH's parents & they did not come until we were recovered & back in our room a day later.  My family lives in Ireland & we planned their visit 2 wks after the babies arrived so we could have time alone to find our routine first.  It worked out so well for us, don't know that my inlaws are too happy but this is about us & I think its ok to be selfish in this situation.

Fancy3Face

We only invited the grandparents up to visit in the hospital.  Everyone else met them later. 

 

naflmj

I only allowed parents and a couple friends (whom I selected) to come visit. Some were upset by this but it's your babies and your sanity so I don't think it's unreasonable.

MrsLnt

Only our parents were allowed at the hospital the day they were born (scheduled c-section). The next day I had my cousins (2 girls) + my aunt come visit.  The next day I had some very close girlfriends visit. I did not want a ton of people in and out and people were fortunately very respectful of us. Do not feel bad laying down the law. There will be PLENTY of time for people to see the babies. 

politelypink

I haven't had mine yet, but we have a plan in place for visitors. Since I know I'll be having a c section, I want to limit who comes on the first day. I told DH I only want people who won't be offended if I kick them out! That means only my immediate family, DH's immediate family and maybe one of my good friends that lives near the hospital. Depending how we are feeling, I don't mind who comes in the following days.

CourtneySue

biggest regret! Will be very selective next time

Haven1

I was super nutty about visitors, and I'm glad. NO ONE but DH was going to see and hold the babies before me. I didn't even want people at the hospital. I've heard too many stories from friends about being in recovery while all your visitors hold you baby. I had a scheduled c/s in the afternoon, so by the time I got recovered, stopped throwing up, and spent time in the NICU with the boys, it was almost 9:00pm. My parents came that night, and I'm glad they did. My mom was a wreck with worry. DH's parents live 2 hours away, so they came bright and early the next morning. I was fine with whoever came after that. Mine were in the NICU for two weeks, so I loved visitors! Stick to your guns about visitors. I know people are excited, but they aren't community property.

MagPie08

I wish I'd been stricter with that. I was a physical & emotional mess after delivery and needed 2 blood transfusions. DS was in the NICU and I wasn't able to go see him until 15 hours after he was born. I had all these people visiting him in the NICU and then showing me pictures of my son on their phones. It was awful. 

ColleenS629

I preferred to have people come to the hospital because I wanted to have to worry about being embarrassed about having a messy house. I told everyone that I wanted a few hours alone with the babies but my c/s was delayed so my parents ended up being there waiting. They came in with my sis after I tried to BF A in my PP room (R had gone to the NICU). Only my immediate family came the first  day. My grandma, SIL, FIL, BIL, and a few friends came later in our stay. I kicked people out in I had to BF and tried not to feel bad about it.

kaitley44

Thankfully the hospital had a strict policy on visitors to the maternity ward. Each family was limited to 4 visitor total, the whole time you were there. I didn't want everyone I knew visiting, but I sure would have liked more than 4 people total. 

JosiePosy

We had immediate family come that day. Mostly DH's family because my parents were on vacation out of the country (unplanned emergency c-section).  It was nice for DH to have the support because I was not very coherent after surgery and the kids were in the NICU. we made arrangements for others to visit the NICU with us after I was discharged and after the kids came home. Our CaringBridge website played a key role because I gave everyone the link an updated often. Just some thoughts in case you do end up delivering early. Hopefully you won't.

erinruns

I had no idea how exhausting visitors would be.  My parents were with me for the delivery and my brother and his family came the next night.  The girls were in the NICU so someone had to walk them in to see them, it was a lot.  A few friends visited as well and while it was so thoughtful again, it was exhausting.  Just trying to make conversation wore me out!