I am about 2 weeks from delivery and just found out our 3 yr. old will be restricted to the first floor of Flag. Medical Center due to swine flue restrictions. I am upset, but willing to accept, go with the flow of what is, knowing all will be fine. Our original plan was for him to be with family, present within the hospital, but I wanted to be available to him as much as I'm able, and more importantly, to be present immediately after baby's born, to be a part of the whole process, bonding from the get go. He has been to many doctors appt. with us, and loves giving me 'check ups' at home, telling me about baby too. I was told he won't be allowed to even meet his new brother until we leave the hospital! Looking back on my call with the pre-reg. nurse I recall her saying 'we ask that children under 12 are restricted to the first floor'.... could have been coincidental, but had me wondering if she chose the word ask, because perhaps there are legal rights we have otherwise? My hopeful thinking. Not going on an endless quest or looking to cause a storm, just thought to do a little research on the subject. Like I said, I have made the choice already to deliver in the hospital, since my first experience was a really beautiful one, not like the cold things I have heard about hospitals, and seemingly supportive of the whole family thing, didn't forsee the whole restriction thing coming about... So a little late for my changing things at this point, and I know my boys have their whole life to bond, but if there is any information anyone might have regarding this, I felt it wouldn't hurt anything to look into a bit. At this point, I would be thrilled if we were allowed any small block of time to at least meet his new brother on birth day. I am ready either way, and know that if we are positive, accepting, he will be too and go with the flow. The great thing is that being with his grandparents is just about his favorite thing, so I am not worried- and know they will help make the adventure a special time for him. Thank you again for any suggestions in advance!
Thank you to all of the wonderful, informative, supportive responses! You have all given me much food for thought. Depending on how the whole onset of labor, etc. goes, will depend on whether or not we have to take our son with us and just meet Grandma & Grandpa at hospital, as we are 45 min. drive (hence our decision not to home birth). Grandma & Grandpa are also not just 5 minutes down the road. Spoke with the registration nurse & as far as she could say again, was 'ask that' and we appreciate everyone's understanding of this policy. I will be allowed to go down and see my son, but baby will not be. I talked with my son about it, and know he will be well (didn't seem to make much difference to him in the moment, who knows when the time comes). I reminded him of how lucky he is that he will be one of the few people who will be with his brother every day, helping me as he chooses, with everything..... I was a home birth baby, was present for the birth of my bro. and sister, when I was 3 and 9. The memories are such flashes of seeing my bro. fresh out of the womb... but I feel I understood what was going on in my own way, it was not at all traumatic to me, just part of life, pretty exciting, awing (more so on a tangible level at 9)remember Mom sharing a beautiful book with all sorts of drawings from development to birth. There are far more blessings I can count at the moment, my son has been a part of this whole process, present for ultrasound, some dr. appts., the flip side is that the youngest does not have any option to be a part of the process, and as my little sis and I talked about, she isn't sorrowed over the fact! The nurse did also mention that who knows, perhaps the ban could be lifted between now and then, of course no promise, but she was kind and did her best to answer my never ending questions, with care and understanding. My focus is now on the present, and hoping for release ASAP! I know all will go smooth, and it is just another of those moments in life, when I am reminded of letting go of my attachment to ideas, expectations, because as it goes, 'life is what happens to you, while you're busy making other plans...' Not to say plans, or even disappointment & such are bad, but always trying to flow with what comes and stay in a balance of sorts is a nice place to be, when I am. Thank you again beautiful, wise mommies!
Can the baby be brought down by daddy to the first floor for their meeting? They should have a room ro something you guys could use so the newborn isn't in the lobby. Maybe there is a piece of paper you can sign waiving responsibility to the hospital for contracting the piggy flu. Good luck.
I was very concerned with that too. I just had my son in May and my sister had hers 2 weeks after mine. However my nephew was born at 25 weeks. Because my son was with me they wouldn't allow him to go up, then though I didn't want him to get sick at a very young age. But I went to the hospital this weekend, they lifted the swine flu alert. So your son should be able to go up now.
Hi J.,
I'm an OT (not working at FMC, so I'm not familiar with their exact policies), but maybe I can help clear things up a little.
You would clearly never knowingly expose your own family members to disease or infection risks, but I'm sure you would be shocked and horrified to hear some of the things some people will do (and continue to do) even after medical staff have educated them about the risks they are exposing their loved ones (and other hospital patients) to.
People die every day from what outsiders bring into the hospital with them, and if another new Mom had another child with flu, or MRSA, or VRE, I know you would not want *your* family potentially exposed.
I would contact the OB dept. directly, and see about getting the head nurse to talk to you to clarify what the policy *IS*, then see how you can still maximize your son's participation in welcoming the new baby.
Congratulations, by the way!
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Hello... I am a mom of 4 and have been through this. My kids are 15 to 21 now so, no swine flu but RSV scares. First and foremost everyone's health and safety is a priority... I know how wonderful it is to experience the family bond and you want your son to be a part of it, I did too. With my 4th child we had the RSV scare... through all other we had family birthing rooms and we were all there. But for my youngest we had to go it alone... the oldest one was the only one who understood everything, he was 6.5... the others 2 and 3 did not really get it... we explained how fun it would be for all of them to draw a picture for their new sibling that I could take to the hospital and then picked out one special gift and outfit for her. We brought her home in the outfit with the gift and hung the pictures they "scribbled" on her wall for the first two years. They look back at those pictures we took and think it was really "NEAT". So, if your son is not allowed really think of some neat ways he can stay connected during that time. Digital cameras sure are great these days so, have someone take a picture of you with the baby right after, so he can be excited. Just a thought!!! Congratulations!!!! Stay Happy and Positive - No Stress Be Creative it will all work out just the way it is supposed too!! Blessings to you and your Family and soon to be lil one!
The hospital where I delivered my 2nd had a "no children under 12" policy. There was no way around it. I was disappointed, but came to realize that it was for my child's safety as well. You would not believe all of the illnesses contained in the hospital! I would check if you could take a wheelchair ride down to the first floor to let big brother meet the baby in the lobby. Maybe that would be a way to compromise. Good luck with your delivery!
hospitals do this in the late Fall RSV season as well, but call and ask what the protocal is for siblings....they usually ban children other then the siblings as long as the siblings are not ill. Good luck.
Was the person that you talked to in the OB department or in registration? If they were strictly registration, you may want to call the OB department directly to see what they suggest. They may have options as to what you could do. We faced a similar dilemma earlier this year when our one-year old was in the hospital for 20 days. They would not let her brother see her because of flu restrictions. However, her child life advocate arranged for us to take her out of the ward for short visits in common areas - did both kids a world of good. Hope that all goes well!
Our older daughter was not allowed in the hospital when I had our second, due to RSV in the winter. All it takes for your other kids to get sick is them touching buttons on the elevator or on a railing or chair and then wiping their nose or mouth. I feel it's really not worth the potential risk of bringing an illness back into your home and exposing your newborn unintentionally. Best wishes to your growing family.
Hospital policy is just that, a policy. It's not law. So you can always try and work around it. Maybe start with your OB and a clean bill of health from your son's ped. It's up to you how much you want to push. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, sort of situation.
Those first few hours are so special and so important. And it's what you want for your family. Your new baby is far more at risk of contracting something from the hospital than he is from a young sibling.
My niece went into the hospital with what they thought was pneumonia. She was in a regular room, though it was private. She had visitors, there were people in and out all the time...it wasn't until two days later and all the tests had come back that they found out she had swine flu! She had to stay in the hospital for over a week in "quarantine" ..she made a full recovery, but was very sick.
I strongly suggest you leave your son at home and I wouldn't take a newborn down to the waiting area where it isn't sterilized. I realize you have to go through there to leave...but I wouldn't take the baby through the hospital for a visit with anyone!
