just read this on the 3rd trimester board....
Some hospitals are now restricting their visitors in maternity wards to 18 and older for the duration of flu season. This includes siblings of the newborn under the age of 18. They are attempting to reduce the spread of swine flu.
How do you ladies feel about this?
First of all, arrgh, I am so sick of hearing about this darn swine flu! My 19 month old's pediatrician practically pinned me to the wall making me promise to get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it became available. Umm, pardon me for not jumping for joy over getting a recently introduced vaccine that hasn't really been widely tested while I'm 7 AND A HALF MONTHS PREGNANT!!!! I don't really care if I am the in the highest risk category. I want to see 100,000 OTHER pregnant women get it first and have no problems before I jump on that bandwagon.
Now, back to this hospital thing. I'm going to call my hospital tomorrow and check on their policy, but personally, I'm going to be pissed if my 19 month old (who has never been to daycare) is banned from visiting me or his soon to be new brother. I mean, what if I end up in antepartum on bed rest? Am I not going to see my child for the duration? Oh good grief!
Re: just read this on the 3rd trimester board....
On the flip side what if your newborn got H1N1 from someone else's child visiting them.
Not that I don't feel the same way about the vaccination I don't think pregnant women should be the guinea pigs for this vaccination. My mom is a ob nurse and is currently dealing with this in their practice- it is very controversial topic.
I suppose in the end- what ever keeps the majority safe is what the hospitals are going to go with.
Interesting... I will have to check on the hospital's policy, I will be so sad if my 2 year old can't come to the hospital! She is getting the vaccine (I hope) so hopefully she will be allowed.
Also, something to think about, 6% of the deaths from H1N1 are pregnant women, while they only make up 1% of the population... weigh the risk/benefits... the vaccine risks are surely less. Good luck deciding, I know a lot of people are having a tough time, I know I did!
We had a discussion about this on my local board yesterday and someone pointed out that the flu vaccine every year is a 'new' formulation and not overly tested before being released. The H1N1 is no different... except that being pregnant makes you at high risk for having complications as a result of getting it. I'd much rather take my risks getting the vaccine...
While sure it will suck if my other kiddos can't come up to the hospital, I can completely understand a hospital following this rule. Why endanger all of your little bitty new patients if it's just not necessary?
My hospital is doing this as is my peri's office.
I think it's GREAT! I do not want my newborn to catch anything because it will just prolong NICU time.
Yes it will be incredibly difficult. I have a toddler at home who needs me and I need her. But it's really important to limit exposure. People don't think before acting and I don't want somebody's uncle's brother coming in hacking all over the mother and baby unit exposing us to whatever.
Our hospital is limiting to just the Dad by the way.