no nursery at the hospital?

WESTWOODMOMMY · April 2012

I was doing the online tour of my hospital and they said there is no nursery nor will the baby EVER leave the room unless it needs NICU care. Is this the norm and Ive just never known or what? My "support person" (aka BF) will be responsible for taking care of baby during my stay. The problem with this is BF has never even held a baby let alone fed, burped, changed a diaper or soothed any kind of colic issues that may arrise. So basically I have to labor and deliver possibly alone (BFs a trucker and my family lives 1100 miles away) and then Im supposed to jump right up and start taking care of her with no help. I guess maybe Im being a baby but I just feel uncomfortable with this.

pugznploons · April 2012

"rooming in" is becoming more common. If you are not up to it and your significant other isn't there I am sure the nurses will be helping out.

CourtneySue · April 2012

This is becoming the norm. We had the choice & we kept DS with us the whole time. You will have a baby nurse as well as your nurse though that will help out with what you need. There should also be a lactation consultant there as well to answer any questions if needed.

mollyxcate · April 2012

that seems really strange to me. i'd see if there was any way i could deliver at another hospital. nurses should come in and help you with the baby/teach you to care for the baby but its kind of a nice option to have the nursery so you can try to get some rest after you bring your child into the world, even if it is just a few hours at a time.

Nikko Blue · April 2012

My hospital encourages you to have the baby stay in the room, but you can send them to the nursery if you need to.

lady_tytah · April 2012

When my bff gave birth to her last two kids, the last hospital she was at didnt have a nursery. I had a choice with my daughter but I wanted her with me. This time their really isnt a choice unless the baby needs to be watched. Which I have no problems with.

gollywollypog · April 2012

I don't know if there was a nursery at either of the hospitals I delivered at. I wasn't about to let my baby out of my arms anyway. I had c sections and was very immobile for a few days, the nurses changed the diapers when needed, but I mainly kept my babies in bed with me or in the hospital bassinet right by me.

mindymaske · April 2012

I think you are going to be suprised how much you will want to care for your baby and not want it taken away and out of sight. PS women have been taking care of their babies post delivery for ages, you can do it too

nycteach · April 2012

It's not unusual to not have a nursery. My first hospital did not. The nurses came and checked on me a lot and of course, there is always someone you can call if you need them.

This time my hospital has a nursery but rooming in is strongly encouraged.

punkrockabye · April 2012

I'm really excited to go from giving birth to taking care of my baby. Research is finding that it really is best for the baby (if baby is healthy) to stay in the room with mom the entire time. Unless there's a serious health issue, I am going to insist that my baby stays with me 100z5 of the time; if there is any procedure needed that's actually not possible to do in my room (not sure what it would be), I will insist that either DH or I or both accompany the baby wherever she needs to go. I can't imagine having my healthy baby sent to a nursery "just because."

GypsyEsq · April 2012

Very common. The nursery at our hospital is only a holding area for babies waiting to get newborn tests. The rest of the time babies room-in - which is great and really it's a wonderful time. You'll have plenty of support from your nurses and lactation consultants as well if you need them.

WESTWOODMOMMY · April 2012

thanks for all the responses ladies. I am not so scared of taking care of her. Im actually looking forward to it. Im just nervous about the lack of support I feel like Im going to get. In our room it will be me, BF our baby and another couple and their baby (two women per room)

Just seems sooo overwhelming to be teaching BF all this parenting stuff. Im like why am I even going to the damn hospital if Im only going to have someone saying when to push at thats it? I know selfish. Thanks again for all the responses.

Reilly626 · April 2012

Where do you live? That's awful!! Especially if you have a c section. Everyone told me to send the baby to the nursery nightly to get my sleep before coming home! Geez!

WESTWOODMOMMY · April 2012

I live in Winnipeg, MB Canada....

CLeigh03 · April 2012

My friends and I were discussing this recently. Apparently there is a small nursery at our hospital but nurses really encourage you to keep the baby with you.

When I had my son I remember having a hard time sending him to the nursery each night....I would tell myself 'ok, at 9:30 I will call the nurse...ok no, 10....no, 11....' Yet ultimately I was so happy I did. I would then sleep staright until 2-3ish, feed him, and then go back to sleep till 7 or so. It was a nice routine and I felt it was important to get my rest.

If I have the option to do this again with #2 I most certainly will.

jesslinnn · April 2012

Mine doesn't have a nursery. During one of the nights DS would not stop crying and the nurse said she'd take him for a while so we could sleep.

FamilyIsLove · April 2012

They just pulled this from our hospital too. WIth my DD (born in 2009) they had a nursery and I took every advantage of it. I BF'd, but it was nice to know in-between feedings, i could get some rest (esp given my very difficult birth). My sis just delivered there and experienced the no-nursery and it was really really hard. On top fo that, they give you ONE nurse -- no more baby nurses. They feed you the crap about bonding, but in the end, it's all about the $$$. I'm not happy about it at all.

I was actually going to switch becuase of this but found out my other option also pulled hte nursery. Crazy stuff.

kkidd28 · April 2012

My hospital doesn't have a nursery anymore, as the baby stays in the room with you. But they have a small room to take the baby too when you need rest - can't remember its name, but I they showed it when we did the live tour. I suggest taking the live tour to get all your questions answered.

Maryritaw1 · July 2014

Oh my gosh, you are not selfish at all. I switched hospitals once I realized the first one did not have a nursery. If I want to keep the babies (I'm having twins), that is one thing, but for a hospital to not be equipped to handle babies right after birth is completely ridiculous. And this whole idea of making sure you have someone with you...WTH!!! How about hospital staff!!! I will be in the hospital afterall! Of course I want someone with me, but there is no way I can guarantee it or be sure that I will be in good enough form to care for 2 babies. Also, the nurses have a job to do. They should not be carting around a baby or 2 to let mom sleep while taking care of other patients who need their help..that is the point of the nursery. Newborns should be watched by capable people, not an exhausted mom or someone who cannot fully attend to them because they need to take care of other patients. Talk about an invitation for child abductions. A mom who recovers is a better mom.

shakinros · July 2014

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