[canoehead]

Well, to totally go in the other direction, I have a touching visitor story. A woman was delivering, and took many hours of pushing and encouragement to get the baby out. Through the whole thing her 16yo brother sat (and paced) on the other side of the curtain, and called out "I love you" and "You're doing good" when she needed a boost. They had agreed beforehand that he didn't want to see her naked, but he did want to be there to support her, so he would stay behind the curtain, and he did. That was true, touching, love, and I'll never forget it.

Of course every other damn fool lined up in the hallway burst in once they heard the baby cry with mom spread wide open...so my original point stands.

[RN2B73]

Hi Kati2005,

I have been one of those family members who wants to be with their family member even though the hospital says you can't. I am still a student at this time but I am curious as to why that rule applys to immediate family? I guess I always thought that if someone was in critical condition the best thing for the patient was for the family to be by their side. Maybe you can help clarify for me? Thanks,

[SmilingBluEyes]

I just recently began teaching childbirth education classes at my hospital. I teach them this:

You want SUPPORTERS not SPECTATORS at this momentous event in your lives. We will be glad to help you see this through. THINK about who you want there and hold off those phone calls to keep the circus environment from becoming your worse nightmare.

I hope it helps a bit. In other words. Yes I have had those days. More times than I can ever count. UGH.

[bagladyrn]

Had another winner just the other night -visitor walked into the birthing room and sat her approx 18 month old - ON THE DELIVERY TABLE!! As many years as I've been doing this, I still couldn't believe my eyes for a moment.

[Michigan RN]

Originally Posted by RN2B73

Hi Kati2005,

I have been one of those family members who wants to be with their family member even though the hospital says you can't. I am still a student at this time but I am curious as to why that rule applys to immediate family? I guess I always thought that if someone was in critical condition the best thing for the patient was for the family to be by their side. Maybe you can help clarify for me? Thanks,

It wasn't about the family being at that girl's side in my post. It was about her being in bed totally naked while getting a bath and family walked in without asking for permission to come back into the room. I have no problem with family being at any critically ill patient's side.

[DoulaJane]

[quote=ktwlpn;2780226]

Originally Posted by santhony44

Personally, I've never grasped the concept of childbirth as a spectator event. If you weren't there at the conception, I didn't want you there for the delivery, unless you were medically necessary. QUOTE > That is spank-my- butt funny! No consortium needed during my labor and delivery ,either.Comes the time to grow up and away from mommy,too. I think it's a great bonding op for the couple..Not MIL,SIL <BF and HUBBY .Why can't the baby daddy be allowed to handle it all alone?

Since when does babie's Daddy remember everything they learned in childbirth classes? I'm a hospital-based doula and couples routinely tell me how much my input and support was appreciated.

[Hoping2beRN]

Originally Posted by Nidawi

Having a baby is personal, I think. I agree with the "if you weren't there for the conception" thing. Kind of like, If you wouldn't be present for a general gyn exam, then you don't need to be there! come visit after mom and baby are cleaned up and rested a bit. I also don't understand how people can want their young children in the room to "watch their baby brother/sister being born". Wouldn't that traumatize the child? Do many people do this?

I am not a nurse yet, but plan on doing OB/NICU (it is my passion) lol. I just wanted to chime in that kids, well at least my kids weren't phased a bit by seeing me deliver their little sister. They were 6 and 4 at the time, the only thing they said was that "I knew that was gonna hurt mommy" and "I think you need a band-aid!" lmao They tell my baby who is now 1, "We seen you be born and I think you hurt mommy!"

I also had a room full of people, I had 5 adults with my first delivery, 2 with my second and 4 adults and my 2 girls with me for my 3rd delivery. The one thing I can say is that they stayed out of the way, I warned them going into it that if they got in the way for 1 second they would be banished to the waiting room! So the ones who weren't holding my legs stood back in the carpeted area and waited for the nurse to say is was safe to come over!

[phriedomRN]

Originally Posted by RN2B73

Hi Kati2005,

I have been one of those family members who wants to be with their family member even though the hospital says you can't. I am still a student at this time but I am curious as to why that rule applys to immediate family? I guess I always thought that if someone was in critical condition the best thing for the patient was for the family to be by their side. Maybe you can help clarify for me? Thanks,

Because, with very few exceptions, a woman giving birth is no where near critical condition. She's having a baby, not actively dying. And if that changes (hemorrhage or what have you) she goes to ICU, where she also doesn't need a circus in the room. Just like the post-op CABG nurse posted earlier... the really sick folks need to be left alone. They are using every bit of energy trying to stay alive.