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A bit disappointed...

liebekeinkriegliebekeinkrieg
in Natural Birth

I had been planning to forgo the bath at the hospital in order to keep the vernix on the baby's skin as long as possible, but a coworker of mine that had her baby at the same hospital I will be giving birth at informed me that they don't allow this- you must have your baby bathed at least once while you're at the hospital. Upside is, you can pick what you want your baby bathed with- I wonder if they'd let me use water? Regardless, I plan on slathering my child with some type of natural moisturizer immediately following the birth. Also, a side note- she said this is the policy statewide- so it won't help going to another hospital unless I go out of state.

 

Due to insurance not covering a midwife to my liking that is close enough, and the fact that DH is not comfortable with the out-of-pocket price of a midwife uninsured and the whole idea in general, hospital is the option we are working with so there's no need to suggest a home birth. If it were possible, I would do it. Believe me, I've looked into it. 

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Re: A bit disappointed...

  • JCWhiteyJCWhitey member
    Policy or no they technically can't make you do anything or do anything to your child that you don't want done.  You can just keep putting it off, too, and saying you'd like to wait on the bath.  It's not like they're going to rip the baby out of your arm and force it into a tub of water and soap.

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  • liebekeinkriegliebekeinkrieg

    imageJCWhitey:
    Policy or no they technically can't make you do anything or do anything to your child that you don't want done.  You can just keep putting it off, too, and saying you'd like to wait on the bath.  It's not like they're going to rip the baby out of your arm and force it into a tub of water and soap.

     I've been reading and this is actually true- I can refuse, and sign a waiver. I will be speaking with the OB to make sure but I am much relieved to hear this. I was surprised to see so many mothers being so adamant about their baby's care while in the hospital- it was very encouraging.  

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  • pepomntpatpepomntpat member

    imageJCWhitey:
    Policy or no they technically can't make you do anything or do anything to your child that you don't want done.  You can just keep putting it off, too, and saying you'd like to wait on the bath.  It's not like they're going to rip the baby out of your arm and force it into a tub of water and soap.

    Yeah, the nurse did do this to me, actually.  Rip may be a strong word, but it was 2 AM, I'd been awake for 4 days, I was still numb from the spinal after my c/s and she just took her and said, "I'm going to give her a bath." And told me, "OH, she'll be fine" when I started to cry.  So, yeah, that can happen.   

    ETA: And of course you can refuse any treatment. It is your legal right. But, it isn't always easy to do.  I would really, really focus on what you priorities are and have someone who is alert and well rested with you to help you remember what those priorities are.  The nurses made sure to lose my birth plan too. 

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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member

    They can't make you wash your baby. Even the strictest hospital can't refuse to check you out over something as small as a bath.

    We never bathed DS2 in the hospital. The nurses ended up giving us soap and a tub, and we never did it. Maybe just telling them to leave the stuff and you'll bathe the baby yourselves would be enough.

    DS1 - Feb 2008

    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

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  • liebekeinkriegliebekeinkrieg
    One thing my husband was concerned with is how will they wipe the blood off? I mean, from what I understand they can wipe the blood off with a damp towel and leave the vernix on?
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