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Multiples
Vent about Hsopital Policies (long)
We had our hospital tour this weekend. It is very early, but my parents were both in town and available and the hospital didn't have a schedule for next year yet, so it seemed like a good time to squeeze it in. And if (God forbid) we end up there early, we at least know the drill. I am very glad we went early as there are a few things they brought up that I hadn't considered .
During the tour, the nurse told us that absolutely NO cameras were allowed in the OR. This might be standard practice most places, and it makes sense, but I have seen posts about people watching their c-section videos and I was surprised that not only would there be no video, but not even any pics of minutes old babies or DH cutting the cords. No pics until they leave the OR. Well, I would love to deliver vaginally, but I have been told that c is very possible with twins, so I guess I will have to try hard to be alert and remember because there won't be any photographic evidence.
Then she explained very nicely (but to the poor lady that was 8 months pregnant with a singleton whom the nurse kept confusing with me...I think she started to get a complex) that twins were NOT allowed to be delivered in the labor room, only in the OR even if vaginally. She said they needed the room for more support staff and double bassinets, etc. Plus, they needed to be ready for emergency intervention if it was needed. You can labor in your room, but when it comes time to deliver, they will wheel you into the OR. Ok, fine, that makes perfect sense too.
Then later she explains that ONE person is allowed to be in the OR. Usually your DH, but you can choose someone else, but only one and no cameras.You can't switch people out and if the person with you gets sick and can't be in the room, that's it. If they leave, no one gets let in.
So I begin to realize that what this means is that regardless of vaginal or c-section, I won't have video of my children's birth and there definitely won't be anyone but me and my DH in the room during the actual delivery. I might have decided it just be me and DH, or not to video anyway, but I kind of feel sad that I don't have any other option. I guess I am really just whining about this, but it makes me a little sad. If you made it this far, you deserve a cookie and thanks for letting me vent.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Vent about Hsopital Policies (long)
I agree with this.
I ended up switching practices at 31w because the practice and hospital we were with at first had some policies we really didn't agree with. (Started looking at 16w but took a while to get some good recs that were twins-relevant and call around to different practices to find out what their policies were.) At my hospital, they did let me deliver vaginally in an LDR room but I know that's not super common with twins. They let us have cameras too. I would definitely call and ask about the no-camera after delivery thing. That seems like a really unnecessary policy.
I had to work with multiple people - my OB, the admitting nurse, anesthesiologist, and postpartum group - to get my delivery wishes respected and on file. We're not talking crazy wishes here either, just things that would have been automatic if I'd delivered with my midwives as originally planned.
This is the birth of your children. Do not take no for an answer on things that are important to you, especially when they aren't getting in the way of your medical care. Delivering in the OR is pretty standard, but no cameras is not. Even if they say no, I would have DH plan to whip out that camera and snap some pictures anyway. The most that will happen is that they will ask him to put it away.
Also, I would ask for a second support person if you want one, with the understanding that in an emergency, they may need to leave to clear space. I had a doula too, and it was perfect - DH and the doula could each hold a baby, or help support the baby as I half-held them on my shoulder. DS had to go to the NICU for 4 hours, so DH stayed with him and the doula stayed with me and DD in my room.
I haven't delivered my twins yet, but both of my singletons were c/s. The one person in the OR was the rule at both hospitals I delivered at (in two different states). We were allowed to take still pictures with DD1, but not with DD2. So we have pics when DD1 was coming out and DD2 when she was about 4 hours old. I cannot remember if the no still pictures was hospital policy or because my repeat c/s was occurring at 33 wks b/c of preterm labor.
So for me, those rules do not seem to weird. Maybe you'll be allowed to take pictures of your babies when they are in the bassinets being cleaned off, rather then right when they are being born? I like the PP's suggestion of calling the hospital and clarifying.
I've heard of the no camera policy in some hospitals. We were allowed cameras and video & my husband videoed my section. You may want to ask your doctor just to verify.
The other things I think are pretty standard. Had I delivered vaginally it would have been in the OR. And only one person was allowed in for my c-section (DH of course) I think if I had a vaginal delivery I could have had one additional support person, but I'm not positive since we were planning on a c/s from pretty early on.
This is just what I was going to say. I'd double check though on the camera. We were allowed regular cameras in the OR--we even had a nurse that took all the pictures for us so DH could just support me.
When we did our hospital tour with DS, they gave us all sorts of rules about no cameras during the delivery, no video during the delivery, etc. When it came to the real deal, DH took pictures of DS the second he was placed in his little bassinet (about 2 min after birth) and nobody said a word. Granted this was in a LDR, not OR.
I'd say just have the camera on hand and ready to go. The worst they can do is tell your DH to stop taking pics.
Cut the Crap - Weight loss journey of a Few Fat Chicks
Ditto this. The anesthesiologist took the first couple of pics of me/us with each baby and then one of the nurses took pictures of my husband re-cutting the cords while they were on the warmers. I would definitely double check the policies. We were told no video during the procedure but we could take still photos.
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We were told no video, but they allowed DH to bring in my cell phone and one of the nurses snapped a few photos of us. Which I was so grateful for since I couldn't see the boys until they were 24 hours old due to being on the mag drip. I would double check and see if there's any way to at least allow a camera phone in the OR to snap a few pictures.
The one person in the OR seems like standard practice to me. I was actually grateful for that since I really didn't want anyone to witness the actual delivery room except DH anyway. Lots of family wanted to witness the birth and it was a blessing for me to be able to say they couldn't due to hospital policy.
Ditto this. Video cameras weren't allowed in the OR, but they had not problem with still cameras. This was something we discussed with the doctor though and not the hospital. I'd double check with your doctor about the policy too.
***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***
I also had to deliver my twins in the OR (vaginally), but DH was absolutely allowed to take pictures. I'm sorry, but I would insist. Birth is a moment you want captured on camera!
DH stood behind my head, and photographed each baby when the dr. held them up, then shot photos while they were weighed and examined.
Obviously, an emergency situation is not a good time to be taking pictures, but you might want to press them on the photography thing. Perhaps call around to other hospitals in the area and check their policies?
Meh. I really didn't care about my birth experience. That wasn't a priority for me. At all. My priority was having healthy babies. Regardless of how they got there or if I had video or photographic evidence of it. To each their own though.
Those policies are pretty standard. I don't know of any hospital around here that allows camera/video in the OR/delivery room anymore. It's all related to Privacy/Confidentiality laws up here. I didn't want any video or pictures while delivering and I was fine with delivering in the OR. Policy and procedure is in place not to be a pain in the a$$. It's usually for safety reasons to protect patients and staff.
I would call hospital admin and clarify whether you could have a still camera in the OR. My DH took photos the moment the boys were lifted out of me. I am so very grateful that he took tons of photos because I was really out of it. I threw up the whole time and once the babies were whisked away, I was in surgery for what seemed like forever because of excessive bleeding.
I look back at these photos and it really helps me clear the haze of the birth. I would be so sad if these photos didn't exist.
The other stuff you mentioned sounds standard.
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The no video is a very standard policy in any hospital because of malpractice suits, so I wouldn't bother fighting that battle.
As for a vaginal delivery being in an OR, that practice varies. One hospital near me had that policy, the one I delivered at (although I ended up having a scheduled c-section) did not.
For my c/s only DH was allowed, and I think that's pretty standard. Honestly, there was no need for anyone else to be in there. And I begged him to not peek over and look because of all the horror stories I heard of men passing out! LOL
I'm surprised by the photography policy though. Our anesthesiologist took all of our pictures, and then one of the nurses pulled DH into the adjoining room with them when they were weighed so he could take more, etc.
Hmmm... the no camera thing is weird, as our OR staff actually told DH to take pictures of the clock as each was being born, if he couldn't handle watching the actual birth. I had a c-section anyways, so the curtain was up, but as soon as DD was out, he went over to her and took a picture so I could see. As soon as DS was out, they wrapped him, as he was teeny tiny (2.7lbs). But, he was allowed to go over to their shared isolette and take pictures as they transported them to Children's for their evals. They came back to the NICU about two hours later.
I can understand about the 1 person in the OR, and that once you select that person, no one else can join them... Our OR wasn't near any other area, that I remember, and there was no "waiting area" outside of it, so I don't know how we could have had someone on standby, even if they allowed it. I'm guessing their other reason is the sterility (is that a word?) of the environment. DH had to "scrub in" after they had me all prepped, and wore head-to-toe scrubs, plus did the washing outside the OR.
Please don't be sad -- I promise it will all work out... And, if you're not happy, is there another place you could deliver? Our planned delivery got squashed at 28w, when I was admitted to the hospital for PreE, and transferred to a higher level NICU hospital in Boston (an hour from our home). Everything will work itself out. Thinking of you!