WWYD re: this hospital policy?

Kadyra · May 2012

The hospital where my ob delivers is more than adequate in every way but this one. One of their policies is that they take the baby down the hall to be bathed, given its vitamin K shot, and have the antibiotic goo put in its eyes. This is done sometime after birth, they didn't specify when on the "intro" tour I took there before my BFP.

This is my second pregnancy. I delivered with a different ob and hospital with ds- I changed because the new ones are much closer to where we live now. That hospital did everything at the bedside. They didn't take the baby away for any reasons except for an emergency or it's hearing test.

I haven't signed up for an official tour yet. Obviously I will revisit this issue then. I know there's no good reason to take the baby away to do these things. My question is this: how firm are they in policies like this if you have say, in a birth plan, that you don't want the baby taken away for things like this? If worse comes to worse, I can deliver elsewhere if need be. But this hospital is literally one mile from my house so... We'd like to deliver there. Thoughts?

Paigey2084 · May 2012

Personally I would not feel the least bit comfortable with them taking my baby out of the room for something like that when I don't feel its needed in the first place. So I guess the question you should be asking yourself is, "Do you feel comfortable with that happening or not?" If not then you should probably look for another hospital.

Aloe0l · May 2012

All of those procedures can be delayed, or omitted all together (bath for instance). Does this hospital not advocate room-sharing? This seems pretty odd to me, and I would definitely ask the hospital or your current pediatrician about it.

I would think though, if you request everything be done in the room, they could accommodate it. The question is how chaotic will it be after birth that the nurses there will get to know (or choose to follow) your wishes?

Gorillakisses15 · May 2012

My hospital does this and I never thought it was strange to be honest. I delivered and had time to feed the baby and then my husband would go with them an hour or so later to give them their first bath and then come back with the baby. It has never been an issue for me, it was actually when they got me fully cleaned up and changed so it was nice to have a few minutes of piece. I honestly don't know how long the baby was gone but I feel like half an hour or so.

DelBride2012 · May 2012

Maybe they're not set up to do bathing in the room. If you don't like the policy, you are probably best off switching facilities, because as PP said, they might not be able to accommodate your preference in the moment.

tevagirl · May 2012

Seems like a silly policy, I would ask them about it. I would also discuss it with my OB.

If they insist it must be done down the hall, then send your DH with baby.

dufferoo · May 2012

I would definitely ask someone how rigid the policy is. It could be that that is just their standard procedure unless requested otherwise. I wouldn't even start entertaining the idea of delivering elsewhere until you find out from someone in the unit what exactly the deal is.

PhillyPhan · May 2012

Gorillakisses15:
My hospital does this and I never thought it was strange to be honest. I delivered and had time to feed the baby and then my husband would go with them an hour or so later to give them their first bath and then come back with the baby. It has never been an issue for me, it was actually when they got me fully cleaned up and changed so it was nice to have a few minutes of piece. I honestly don't know how long the baby was gone but I feel like half an hour or so.

This.

Nineoceans · May 2012

I feel like at the end of the day you are the patient/customer and it's YOUR baby. I'd just tell them what you do and do not consent to as far as care for YOUR baby and that you would like to stay close to your baby at all times. Just be or have your Hbe an advocate of your wishes on this

mommybear77 · May 2012

They did this with my first but I had my husband go with her while I finished cleaning up. Ask them what the policy is with someone going with the baby to have this done.

Kadyra · May 2012

I appreciate all the advice. Thought provoking.

The hospital does room sharing. They just take the baby out of the room for these things. I find it weird. DS didn't have a bath until we came home. He stayed in my room during a complicated pp process (I had to have a d&c for a retained placenta). So I just don't get why they'd need to take any baby out to goop its eyes or give it vitamin k. I don't want to be separated from this LO unless it's an emergency. For me it is worth changing hospitals. I want to do skin to skin and BF as soon as possible. Taking the baby down the hall to do things that can be done in the room seems like it'd delay that. Gives me an icky feeling. Probably irrational, but it's how I feel.

I have an appt with my ob tomorrow and I will bring this up. Thanks!

LadyNikon · May 2012

i told the hospital no vitamin k shot and no goo on her eyes. Hubby followed them everywhere the nurse went when she wasn't in my site.

CdnFarmGirl08 · May 2012

The hospital my sister delivered at would take the baby away for something, but the father just went with wherever they took the baby.

jennypasadena · May 2012

My hospital is the same, but the dad goes with them while all of these things are being done. I'm OK with that. They will let the baby room in with you, but they also have a fully staffed nursery if you need a break. I kind of like the flexibility of that.

pixieprincss · May 2012

With DS we toured a hospital with a policy like this. We chose another hospital. There is no health reason that Vit K and Erytho cannot be done bedside. It seems like bad policy to me. As for the bath, the hospital we ended up with did do baths only in the nursery, but we refused it so that baby could benefit from the vernix. It caused quite a stir with one of the nurses, but that was her issue not ours. At the rejected hospital they did say that if we refused the meds then baby could stay with us, but I still found that a ridiculous decision to force parents into and I thought it smacked of not being bonding-friendly. That hospital also prohibited doulas, another red flag for me.

littlemac1117 · May 2012

MamaAlex:
Not sure if I'm missing something...
This sounds like a totally reasonable policy.
But if a vitamin K shot is like, against your religion or something, I'm sure you could ask them to be flexible. (:

What reason is there to take a newborn baby away from its mother to perform procedures that could be delayed? Or at least in the room? Or even with baby on mom's chest?

Krista123105 · May 2012

I would ask the hospital if this policy is set in stone. They may be willing to accommodate your wishes if you just ask.

littlemac1117 · May 2012

MamaAlex:
littlemac1117:
MamaAlex:
Not sure if I'm missing something...
This sounds like a totally reasonable policy.
But if a vitamin K shot is like, against your religion or something, I'm sure you could ask them to be flexible. (:
What reason is there to take a newborn baby away from its mother to perform procedures that could be delayed? Or at least in the room? Or even with baby on mom's chest?

I guess I can see everyone's point. But to be fair ... you do get 18+ YEARS with the kid. 5 minutes for goo-time away from mom will probably not cause irreversible scarring. .... ESPECIALLY if I need those 5 minutes to get the ol' hoo-ha stitched up - seeing that would REALLY scar the baby! (; I tend to trust that highly-trained physicians and nurses would not purposely enact a policy that'd hurt me or my new child.

This is where I disagree. Not that medical professionals are trying to cause harm, but that sometimes they do things that have no benefit for their patients (and sometimes those things can cause harm) simply because it is more convenient for them, and that is not okay.

Maybe its me, but the last thing I wanted to do when my son was born was to hand him to someone else. And actually, I didn't even get to hold him at all or see him for more than a few seconds until the next day (he was born at 1:40pm, so think of how much time that is). I know that that was because I had a c/s and he had some issues at birth, and had to go to the NICU, so I'm not blaming my docs for that, but it does make me very sensitive to the whole "take the baby out of the room for a bath" thing. Sorry for the novel, I just wanted to explain myself a little more.

roxyttandme · May 2012

I don't get what the big deal s all about. Why the fuss???

punkrockabye · May 2012

Chances are while that's how they typically do things, it's not set in stone, injections can be given in your room. Baths may not be able to, but if you want, you can decline the bath anyway. Or you and/or someone you trust can accompany the baby out of the room for these things.

We won't be allowing our baby out of my room unless--if absolutely necessary that she leaves--DH or I goes with her. We also want to decline the hepatitis B shot (since we find no benefit to giving it at birth, but will do it later) and we wouldn't want her taken out of our sight and risk having something done we don't consent to. I have heard of baby boys being circumcised while away from the parents, without the parents knowing, when the parents had chosen not to circumcise. Obviously that's not a problem with a girl nor will it be a common issue, but we simply want to supervise whatever is done with our baby. And of course, all of this is assuming she won't need to be whisked away to the NICU immediately. I'm obviously not going to be concerned about accompanying her if there is an emergency; they'll get me to her asap in that case. A bath and vaccination aren't emergencies, though.

ks3pink · May 2012

roxyttandme:
I don't get what the big deal s all about. Why the fuss???

I don't get it either. I let DD stay in the nursery at night and plan to do the same with these babies. DD is still just as attached to me as ever. I also didn't get skin to skin or even to hold her for hours due to having a c/s. It is what it is, the world will keep on turning.

cwm11985 · May 2012

Just call them up and ask. duh.

White0rchid · May 2012

punkrockabye:
Chances are while that's how they typically do things, it's not set in stone, injections can be given in your room. Baths may not be able to, but if you want, you can decline the bath anyway. Or you and/or someone you trust can accompany the baby out of the room for these things.
We won't be allowing our baby out of my room unless--if absolutely necessary that she leaves--DH or I goes with her. We also want to decline the hepatitis B shot (since we find no benefit to giving it at birth, but will do it later) and we wouldn't want her taken out of our sight and risk having something done we don't consent to. I have heard of baby boys being circumcised while away from the parents, without the parents knowing, when the parents had chosen not to circumcise. Obviously that's not a problem with a girl nor will it be a common issue, but we simply want to supervise whatever is done with our baby. And of course, all of this is assuming she won't need to be whisked away to the NICU immediately. I'm obviously not going to be concerned about accompanying her if there is an emergency; they'll get me to her asap in that case. A bath and vaccination aren't emergencies, though.

That is single- handedly the biggest load of bullsh!t I've ever read on these boards. Way to provoke fear in new moms.

I've had 2 c-sections (one under general anesthesia) and DH went with the girls to the nursery for everything. If it is a huge issue for you, OP, switch hospitals.

camillicat · May 2012

FTM..and not sure what my hospital's procedure is...when my friend had her son at the same hospital last year they took him down to the nursery to test his blood sugar (mom had GD), bath, etc. Her dh was in the nursery with him and the family and I were right outside the nursery watching. My friend was find with it and I guess I just assumed thats the way it works for everyone...pretty sure I'll be fine with it!

bdbelladonna · May 2012

I would choose another hospital... I am a firm believer that any standard test or meds can be done at bedside. As it was with my two munchkins. My first ended up in NICU for a pneumothorax for two days, but even then they would call me down if I wanted to be there for tests or when the doctor was there. They also would not feed my baby for me as I was very clear on they fact that I was going to breastfeed and would rather be woken up in the middle of the night by paging my room then giving him formula. It's really about what you are comfortable with. I am not ok with my baby being taken away from so soon after birth unless it is absolutely necessary.
Maybe I'm biased as both my kids were born at a childrens hospital and they are very focused on baby staying with mom and dad for bonding.I'm actually a little concerned about the hospital where I will be birthing this time around as its not the same as my other two, and unfortunately I now live 5 hours away from that hospital. Do what feels right to you, if you do not want your baby taken away then switch. it comes down to what you and dh are comfortable with.

hmp1 · May 2012

Gorillakisses15:
My hospital does this and I never thought it was strange to be honest. I delivered and had time to feed the baby and then my husband would go with them an hour or so later to give them their first bath and then come back with the baby. It has never been an issue for me, it was actually when they got me fully cleaned up and changed so it was nice to have a few minutes of piece. I honestly don't know how long the baby was gone but I feel like half an hour or so.

Same here. I had plenty of skin to skin time and BF time. DH went with DS and it was when I was getting changed and up to use the bathroom. I switched rooms and they brought DS back as soon I got to my pp room. DH came back with him and showed me pictures of everything. I think that might have been when they did his foot/hand prints in our baby book too, can't remember exactly.

We met the head nursery nurse on our tour and loved her immediately. She was there and was the one that did his prints.

drubie · May 2012

I specifically asked my pediatrician about this last week. He said that they weren't set up to do all of those procedures in room, even though they do rooming in with newborns. It's that it takes a lot for one or two nurses to go to every single room to do those procedures, if the rooms themselves are not setup for every procedure. They won't actually do these procedures for 6-12 hours after the baby's born in my hospital, so I should be changed and recovered enough to go with him, or my husband with go with our son. I would prefer for it to be in our room, but this hospital is far superior in every other way to my other options, so I'm not raising an issue about it. If it is that big a deal to you, feel free to decline those procedures. If you have quite a few hospital choices in your area, by all means, find another that's more in line with your wishes. But know that sometimes it's not because a hospital is not baby/breastfeeding-friendly, but how the rooms are actually structured.

krismott25 · May 2012

This question is better asked to the hospital. If it is there policy and they can't change that and you are not willing to let it happen, you will have to look at another place to deliver. My hospital does the eye goo and the vit k shot at bedside but takes the baby to the nursery to get bathed while the mom transfers from the delivery room to the overnight room.

melody921 · May 2012

Aloe0l:

All of those procedures can be delayed, or omitted all together (bath for instance). Does this hospital not advocate room-sharing? This seems pretty odd to me, and I would definitely ask the hospital or your current pediatrician about it.

I would think though, if you request everything be done in the room, they could accommodate it. The question is how chaotic will it be after birth that the nurses there will get to know (or choose to follow) your wishes?

This. DS didn't get a bath right away. That was later that night, I believe. The shot and goo were done in the delivery room. What if you just say you want it done there? In my birth plan, I had that I wanted to nurse him right away, so that might be a way to get them to keep the baby close too.

krismott25 · May 2012

Nineoceans:
I feel like at the end of the day you are the patient/customer and it's YOUR baby. I'd just tell them what you do and do not consent to as far as care for YOUR baby and that you would like to stay close to your baby at all times. Just be or have your Hbe an advocate of your wishes on this

I take issue with this. While yes you are the patient/customer you are coming there for care, not a hotel. There are rules and regulations for a reason, whether they seem legit to you or not. I'm a RN and it is most frustrating to have people come into the hospital for care and think they can dictate every little thing that happens. That's just not how it works. FOr example, if a diabetic comes in for treatment, as much as he/she wants 5 ice creams at bed time I'm not going to give it to him. I'll probably be getting a nasty comment on the patient survery (Which is a whole other can of worms) but at the end of the day my job is to take care of the patient and follow the policies and procedures. Not being snarky but wanting to give the healthcare providers perspective. We are always willing to accomodate on some things but somethings can't be changed.

krismott25 · May 2012

Also wanted to point out that the reason they likley take the babies to the nursery is because you aren't the only one having a baby that day. Often times 1 RN is doing the shots, goo, bathes for several babies. To have to go from room to room isn't feasabile from a staffing perspective. I know that it is hard to think of being away from your baby, I hate that feeling too, but the dad's go with them and your child will not remember any of this. It's just not possible!

Fluff28 · May 2012

I had a c-section and all those things were done while I was being stitched up, my husband went with them to the nursery I assume for all of that because he has pictures.

MarisaKathleen · May 2012

krismott25:

Nineoceans:
I feel like at the end of the day you are the patient/customer and it's YOUR baby. I'd just tell them what you do and do not consent to as far as care for YOUR baby and that you would like to stay close to your baby at all times. Just be or have your Hbe an advocate of your wishes on this

I take issue with this. While yes you are the patient/customer you are coming there for care, not a hotel. There are rules and regulations for a reason, whether they seem legit to you or not. I'm a RN and it is most frustrating to have people come into the hospital for care and think they can dictate every little thing that happens. That's just not how it works. FOr example, if a diabetic comes in for treatment, as much as he/she wants 5 ice creams at bed time I'm not going to give it to him. I'll probably be getting a nasty comment on the patient survery (Which is a whole other can of worms) but at the end of the day my job is to take care of the patient and follow the policies and procedures. Not being snarky but wanting to give the healthcare providers perspective. We are always willing to accomodate on some things but somethings can't be changed.

I agree with you 100%. Everyone hears horror stories about medical professionals doing something negligent or wrong, but those are the exceptions, not the rules.

If you want to dictate everything that happens, then look into having a home birth with a doula or midwife where you can have complete control over the situation. Home births are a great way to do that.

Kadyra · May 2012

I had no idea when I posted this it'd get so much attention! I figured 3-4 posts at most.

If, God forbid, I have to have a c-section I get that the baby has to be taken out of the OR away from me. But there's really no reason to take the baby out of a delivery room to do something that takes literally less than five minutes. Obviously I'm going to ask the hospital and my ob about this, but I wanted you guys' experience on how set in stone these policies are where you live Certain things are and certain aren't. I too work in L&D at two hospitals where the baby isn't removed from the room unless requested or in an emergency. So this idea is just weird to me. And yes. I realize that I have 18+ years with LO, but the first little bit is so special. I'm greedy, what can I say?

Thanks for all the input!

mick64 · May 2012

As a healthcare professional (I'm a clinical dietitian), I disagree. Autonomy is a very important part of providing ethical care. Unless the patient is wanting to do something that poses a direct danger to themselves, I think they should have a voice in how they want things done or what they want to eat. Do I want my diabetic patients to be eating ice cream every night? No, of course not. But should they have that choice? Yes, absolutely. If it is truly dangerous, than they can always be informed there choices are AMA and sign off that they understand it's AMA, and then the provider can refuse care.

But for wanting newborn procedures done in the room? That's a pretty minor thing and I think accomodations should be made. There are plenty of hospitals where those accomodations are made, so it really can't be that difficult. I didn't want DS out of my sight when he was first born, and I don't feel like I need to apologize for that. I spent 9 months carrying him around in my body. Why should I be ok with someone whisking him off right after birth for procedures that can be done right next to me? The staffing excuse, while valid, is really kind of lame. Like I said, plenty of other hospitals have found ways to make it work.

DelBride2012 · May 2012

littlemac1117:
MamaAlex:
littlemac1117:
MamaAlex:
Not sure if I'm missing something...
This sounds like a totally reasonable policy.
But if a vitamin K shot is like, against your religion or something, I'm sure you could ask them to be flexible. (:
What reason is there to take a newborn baby away from its mother to perform procedures that could be delayed? Or at least in the room? Or even with baby on mom's chest?

I guess I can see everyone's point. But to be fair ... you do get 18+ YEARS with the kid. 5 minutes for goo-time away from mom will probably not cause irreversible scarring. .... ESPECIALLY if I need those 5 minutes to get the ol' hoo-ha stitched up - seeing that would REALLY scar the baby! (; I tend to trust that highly-trained physicians and nurses would not purposely enact a policy that'd hurt me or my new child.
This is where I disagree. Not that medical professionals are trying to cause harm, but that sometimes they do things that have no benefit for their patients (and sometimes those things can cause harm) simply because it is more convenient for them, and that is not okay.
Maybe its me, but the last thing I wanted to do when my son was born was to hand him to someone else. And actually, I didn't even get to hold him at all or see him for more than a few seconds until the next day (he was born at 1:40pm, so think of how much time that is). I know that that was because I had a c/s and he had some issues at birth, and had to go to the NICU, so I'm not blaming my docs for that, but it does make me very sensitive to the whole "take the baby out of the room for a bath" thing. Sorry for the novel, I just wanted to explain myself a little more.

I think doctors' convenience is plenty reason enough for this sort of policy. I'm a lawyer, and if a client tried to get me to do my job a different way out of their personal preference that inconvenienced me, I would tell them to find a new lawyer. I am here to get the job done with a good outcome for my client. Pointless detours are not something I am going to accommodate without a sensible, objective reason. I don't expect such nonsense to be accommodated by my care team, either

krismott25 · May 2012

mick64:

As a healthcare professional (I'm a clinical dietitian), I disagree. Autonomy is a very important part of providing ethical care. Unless the patient is wanting to do something that poses a direct danger to themselves, I think they should have a voice in how they want things done or what they want to eat. Do I want my diabetic patients to be eating ice cream every night? No, of course not. But should they have that choice? Yes, absolutely. If it is truly dangerous, than they can always be informed there choices are AMA and sign off that they understand it's AMA, and then the provider can refuse care.

But for wanting newborn procedures done in the room? That's a pretty minor thing and I think accomodations should be made. There are plenty of hospitals where those accomodations are made, so it really can't be that difficult. I didn't want DS out of my sight when he was first born, and I don't feel like I need to apologize for that. I spent 9 months carrying him around in my body. Why should I be ok with someone whisking him off right after birth for procedures that can be done right next to me? The staffing excuse, while valid, is really kind of lame. Like I said, plenty of other hospitals have found ways to make it work.

Oh if it were only that simple. Believe me in the life of a nurse, there is nothing lame about the staffing excuse. It leaves room for medical errors. Everyone tries to simplify their work flow so they are more productive. Health care is no different. When I'm elbow deep changing someones dressing, while getting yelled out from a doc bc I didn't answer a phone, and a family member is bitching at me they want an extra soda... yay I'm wanting to do what I can do to make my job a little easier. THe time I take away from my patients to do things that yeah might be important to you, but aren't that important in the long skeem of things has got to be the most frustrating thing about working in healthcare. Just remember, while 30 minutes away from your baby sucks, every single day missing lunch, getting a UTI bc you don't have time to pee, and leaving late after working a 12 hour shift is the life of a nurse (and beleive me that's just scratching the surface). I would think more people would be appreciative of this. One day you'll need that nurse.

K off my soap box now.... not that my rant really had anything to do with the OP. Hug a nurse!

cmbrown · May 2012

ks3pink:

roxyttandme:
I don't get what the big deal s all about. Why the fuss???

I don't get it either. I let DD stay in the nursery at night and plan to do the same with these babies. DD is still just as attached to me as ever. I also didn't get skin to skin or even to hold her for hours due to having a c/s. It is what it is, the world will keep on turning.

I agree. I was put to sleep during my csection, because the epidural did not numb me. So I didn't even see her for over an hour after she was born. That won't happen again. But I let her sleep in the nursery as well, so I could get some sleep.

mick64 · May 2012

krismott25:
mick64:

As a healthcare professional (I'm a clinical dietitian), I disagree. Autonomy is a very important part of providing ethical care. Unless the patient is wanting to do something that poses a direct danger to themselves, I think they should have a voice in how they want things done or what they want to eat. Do I want my diabetic patients to be eating ice cream every night? No, of course not. But should they have that choice? Yes, absolutely. If it is truly dangerous, than they can always be informed there choices are AMA and sign off that they understand it's AMA, and then the provider can refuse care.

But for wanting newborn procedures done in the room? That's a pretty minor thing and I think accomodations should be made. There are plenty of hospitals where those accomodations are made, so it really can't be that difficult. I didn't want DS out of my sight when he was first born, and I don't feel like I need to apologize for that. I spent 9 months carrying him around in my body. Why should I be ok with someone whisking him off right after birth for procedures that can be done right next to me? The staffing excuse, while valid, is really kind of lame. Like I said, plenty of other hospitals have found ways to make it work.

Oh if it were only that simple. Believe me in the life of a nurse, there is nothing lame about the staffing excuse. It leaves room for medical errors. Everyone tries to simplify their work flow so they are more productive. Health care is no different. When I'm elbow deep changing someones dressing, while getting yelled out from a doc bc I didn't answer a phone, and a family member is bitching at me they want an extra soda... yay I'm wanting to do what I can do to make my job a little easier. THe time I take away from my patients to do things that yeah might be important to you, but aren't that important in the long skeem of things has got to be the most frustrating thing about working in healthcare. Just remember, while 30 minutes away from your baby sucks, every single day missing lunch, getting a UTI bc you don't have time to pee, and leaving late after working a 12 hour shift is the life of a nurse (and beleive me that's just scratching the surface). I would think more people would be appreciative of this. One day you'll need that nurse.

K off my soap box now.... not that my rant really had anything to do with the OP. Hug a nurse!

I get that. Believe me I work with nurses every day. I'm not unaware of what that's like to be a nurse. But my point is, plenty of facilities have found ways to make it work, so the staffing thing should not be an excuse as to why not to offer those services to patients. The staffing at the hospital where I work and delivered DS is higher in L&D and mother/baby units. That makes sense. We're a non-profit, state hospital, so if we can make it work financially, it's really not a valid excuse for other places to not do the same. FWIW, we're also a unionized hospital, so that may make some difference. My sister is a nurse at a non-union hospital and there's way more abuse of nurses and staffing issues.

DelBride2012 · May 2012

mick64:
krismott25:
mick64:

As a healthcare professional (I'm a clinical dietitian), I disagree. Autonomy is a very important part of providing ethical care. Unless the patient is wanting to do something that poses a direct danger to themselves, I think they should have a voice in how they want things done or what they want to eat. Do I want my diabetic patients to be eating ice cream every night? No, of course not. But should they have that choice? Yes, absolutely. If it is truly dangerous, than they can always be informed there choices are AMA and sign off that they understand it's AMA, and then the provider can refuse care.

But for wanting newborn procedures done in the room? That's a pretty minor thing and I think accomodations should be made. There are plenty of hospitals where those accomodations are made, so it really can't be that difficult. I didn't want DS out of my sight when he was first born, and I don't feel like I need to apologize for that. I spent 9 months carrying him around in my body. Why should I be ok with someone whisking him off right after birth for procedures that can be done right next to me? The staffing excuse, while valid, is really kind of lame. Like I said, plenty of other hospitals have found ways to make it work.

Oh if it were only that simple. Believe me in the life of a nurse, there is nothing lame about the staffing excuse. It leaves room for medical errors. Everyone tries to simplify their work flow so they are more productive. Health care is no different. When I'm elbow deep changing someones dressing, while getting yelled out from a doc bc I didn't answer a phone, and a family member is bitching at me they want an extra soda... yay I'm wanting to do what I can do to make my job a little easier. THe time I take away from my patients to do things that yeah might be important to you, but aren't that important in the long skeem of things has got to be the most frustrating thing about working in healthcare. Just remember, while 30 minutes away from your baby sucks, every single day missing lunch, getting a UTI bc you don't have time to pee, and leaving late after working a 12 hour shift is the life of a nurse (and beleive me that's just scratching the surface). I would think more people would be appreciative of this. One day you'll need that nurse.

K off my soap box now.... not that my rant really had anything to do with the OP. Hug a nurse!

I get that. Believe me I work with nurses every day. I'm not unaware of what that's like to be a nurse. But my point is, plenty of facilities have found ways to make it work, so the staffing thing should not be an excuse as to why not to offer those services to patients. The staffing at the hospital where I work and delivered DS is higher in L&D and mother/baby units. That makes sense. We're a non-profit, state hospital, so if we can make it work financially, it's really not a valid excuse for other places to not do the same. FWIW, we're also a unionized hospital, so that may make some difference. My sister is a nurse at a non-union hospital and there's way more abuse of nurses and staffing issues.

Fine, yes, hospitals could budget differently. Is this really the budgeting hill to die on? Aren't there one million other things you would want your L&D hospital to prioritize over this? Like, things that actually matter long term and aren't just "nice to haves"?

krismott25 · May 2012

mick64:
krismott25:
mick64:

As a healthcare professional (I'm a clinical dietitian), I disagree. Autonomy is a very important part of providing ethical care. Unless the patient is wanting to do something that poses a direct danger to themselves, I think they should have a voice in how they want things done or what they want to eat. Do I want my diabetic patients to be eating ice cream every night? No, of course not. But should they have that choice? Yes, absolutely. If it is truly dangerous, than they can always be informed there choices are AMA and sign off that they understand it's AMA, and then the provider can refuse care.

But for wanting newborn procedures done in the room? That's a pretty minor thing and I think accomodations should be made. There are plenty of hospitals where those accomodations are made, so it really can't be that difficult. I didn't want DS out of my sight when he was first born, and I don't feel like I need to apologize for that. I spent 9 months carrying him around in my body. Why should I be ok with someone whisking him off right after birth for procedures that can be done right next to me? The staffing excuse, while valid, is really kind of lame. Like I said, plenty of other hospitals have found ways to make it work.

Oh if it were only that simple. Believe me in the life of a nurse, there is nothing lame about the staffing excuse. It leaves room for medical errors. Everyone tries to simplify their work flow so they are more productive. Health care is no different. When I'm elbow deep changing someones dressing, while getting yelled out from a doc bc I didn't answer a phone, and a family member is bitching at me they want an extra soda... yay I'm wanting to do what I can do to make my job a little easier. THe time I take away from my patients to do things that yeah might be important to you, but aren't that important in the long skeem of things has got to be the most frustrating thing about working in healthcare. Just remember, while 30 minutes away from your baby sucks, every single day missing lunch, getting a UTI bc you don't have time to pee, and leaving late after working a 12 hour shift is the life of a nurse (and beleive me that's just scratching the surface). I would think more people would be appreciative of this. One day you'll need that nurse.

K off my soap box now.... not that my rant really had anything to do with the OP. Hug a nurse!

I get that. Believe me I work with nurses every day. I'm not unaware of what that's like to be a nurse. But my point is, plenty of facilities have found ways to make it work, so the staffing thing should not be an excuse as to why not to offer those services to patients. The staffing at the hospital where I work and delivered DS is higher in L&D and mother/baby units. That makes sense. We're a non-profit, state hospital, so if we can make it work financially, it's really not a valid excuse for other places to not do the same. FWIW, we're also a unionized hospital, so that may make some difference. My sister is a nurse at a non-union hospital and there's way more abuse of nurses and staffing issues.

True that! I'm currently at a non-unionized hospital but will be moving next year to a union state and a magnet hospital. It can't come soon enough!

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