I read all these posts, and have posted about it myself, about all of us poor women who have to justify who we want in the room when we have the baby or right after wards. Why can't we have a little privacy and dignity? Don't we have to go through enough?
I'm not talking about those of us who WANT various people in the room or right after wards-that is TOTALLY ok. I'm talking about those of us who (myself included) have to dance around other people's feelings when its OUR bodies being displayed and US having to grunt, sweat, push, have surgery, etc to get our miracle reward (a precious LO).
I just don't get why having a baby is a spectator sport.
Sorry, just a very cranky pregnant lady here today ![]()
Re: Maybe I'm just cranky today.....(delivery room)
I assume you are talking about friends and family as opposed to healthcare professionals (aka doctors and nurses).
I don't "dance" I have indicated who I want and that I really don't want anyone else there. and if people do come the the hospital it will not be immediately following the birth it will be hours if at all.
If I have a vag birth they can wait until we are home, if it is a c/s and I have to stay in the hospital for a few days then fine, but really noting big is going to happen in a couple days, they can wait. And if they "can't" too bad.
This has been an issue since I first saw the double line on that pee-stick. I don't want a lot of visitors immediately following the birth as I will be a mess and trying to breast feed (my hospital wants the baby on the breast ASAP after birth, def. within the hour, which I agree with). My DH's family, on the other hand, want to be let into the room as soon as the OB is done with me (if not sooner) b/c they don't think it is "fair" that my mom will see the baby before them (my mom is one of my coaches). My DH keeps swinging back and forth between giving in to his family and making me happy, so I told him that I was going to let the maternity desk (my hospital has a very strict and awesome security system complete with locked maternity doors) know that no one was allowed in until at least three hours after Owen is born and that it wasn't his (DH's) choice.
I've posted before about why anyone other than the mom and (possibly) dad think they have a right to butt in or dictate what will happen at such a personal moment. And honestly, ladies? This is our one chance to have it EXACTLY the way WE want it.
Turns out my MIL (thank heavens!!) has no interest in being in the delivery room but when I was having these conversations w/ my DH (who thought it was only "fair" that MIL get to be there if my mom was there) I told him the following:
"OK hon, we're going to play a little game. We're going to strip you naked and put you in a hospital gown on a bed. Now let's pretend you've been in pain for hours, and the pain is increasing. Next, we're going to flip up your gown, spread your legs and let you wave your genitals and ass in the air for awhile, all while you're groaning in pain. Now, I want my mom to come watch all this. How do you feel about that?"
Discussion over.