Do moms ever get upset when they have to leave baby to be monitored in the nursery?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I'm just wondering, I had my daughter in 2001 and when I asked if she could stay with me they said it was policy to monitor her in the nursery at least 5 hours. Then they told me there was another delivery coming in and I was going to have to get out of the nice big delivery room (which was right across from the nursery) and be moved "down the hall." I wanted to walk but they wouldn't allow it and they wheeled me waaaay down to a dingy little room at the other end of the unit. Since I was still feeling the effects of the epidural I went right to sleep afterwards and when they wheeled her into my room about 6 hrs. later they informed me they gave her a bottle (even though she was to be breastfed).

Now, there were no ill-effects and I'm not complaining, I'm not high maintenance at all, but are there any pointers you could give an expectant mother so she may possibly avoid any conflicts or confusion next time?

For example, can a new mom request to be called to the nursery if the baby starts crying and wants to eat, rather than them just giving the baby a bottle to shut it up?

Or, if she is able, do most hospital policies allow her to come stay with the baby in the nursery during the time baby is being monitored?

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I think it is important to take a tour at the hospitals you are interested in, and to talk to other people who have had children their. I took a tour at the hospital I gave birth at and the actual birth was greater than I expected. The staff was top notch, the rooms were huge and private, and they encouraged mother baby bonding by leaving baby in the room. My dd only had to leave the room to get a bath and her hearing test (which didn't take long at all, maybe an hour if that). They did everything else in the room with me. I also had an epi, and they wheeled me around too, but I was able to hold my dd. The nurses were so wonderful and let me bf right off the bat. I'm sorry about your experience, and it is unfortunate for those who live in areas that don't give much choice about where to deliver. Fortunately for me there are many hospitals where I live.

I guess if there is only one hospital writing out a "birth plan" may help, but instead of it being a birth plan put instructions on what you expect after the birth. I dunno I hope someone else has good advice.

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5 hours??? I agree with Pumpkin. Find out the hospital policy before you deliver there. And while hospital shopping is not always and option, maybe home delivery is? ( Realizing I'm hashing up the a home vs. hospital debate, but 5 hours??? Jeez!)

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It depends a lot on the set-up of the hospital. LDRP units have the patient stay in the room for the entire event. Some take the babies for observation. Some have the nurse observe the baby in the room with the mom.

Other places have labor, delivery and recovery in one room and then transfer mom and baby to postpartum.

In either case, please make your wishes known. On my PP unit, we wouldnt even think of bottlefeeding an intended breasrfed newborn unless the mom was physically in no shape to feed the wee one herself.

If you can take a tour ahead of time, that sounds like a good idea.

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Since that was 6 years ago, chances are good that the 5 hour policy has changed significantly in that hospital. I would be very surprised if it was still in effect. As far a giving your baby a bottle to "shut her up", I feel certain they fed her to keep her blood sugar from dropping dangerously low, since you were still asleep from the after effects of the epidural. In any event, it would be a wise move to ask questions prior to delivery and make your wishes known to your OB and the staff.

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At the hospital where I had my last baby nine years ago, babies only spend a very short time in the nursery being checked out, etc., and then they room with mom the rest of the time. There are rarely babies in the nursery unless they are having problems.

I went to surgery the next day to have my tubes tied, and they had me sign a paper giving them permission to give my baby a bottle if she got hungry while I was gone. (I was breast feeding.)

Different hospitals, different policies.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

Its your baby, remember that. Be a PITA, if thats what it takes! 5 hours is crazy! And it happens alot at my hospital, sadly. I wish more moms would take a stand and demand their baby not be taken from them. Things would have to change then. As far as bottlefeeding a breast baby without moms permission or knowledge, that is not right. If there is a blood sugar issue baby could be cup fed or have an IV placed, lots of things that could be done besides bottle. It is your baby and you can say, 1. don't take him, do everything here 2. don't bottlefeed, talk to me if supplement is needed or make a plan if low sugar expected (ie, DM, preemie)

Sorry if this ticks some folks off, but evidenced based practice should be used, and evidenced has proven that moms and babies do better together. As far as bottle feeding a breast baby, I don't want to get into the nipple confusion debate, but moms should have the option of other feeding methods if they want.

Good luck with the baby MM, and let us know when he/she gets here!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
Its your baby, remember that. Be a PITA, if thats what it takes! 5 hours is crazy! And it happens alot at my hospital, sadly. I wish more moms would take a stand and demand their baby not be taken from them. Things would have to change then. As far as bottlefeeding a breast baby without moms permission or knowledge, that is not right. If there is a blood sugar issue baby could be cup fed or have an IV placed, lots of things that could be done besides bottle. It is your baby and you can say, 1. don't take him, do everything here 2. don't bottlefeed, talk to me if supplement is needed or make a plan if low sugar expected (ie, DM, preemie)

Sorry if this ticks some folks off, but evidenced based practice should be used, and evidenced has proven that moms and babies do better together. As far as bottle feeding a breast baby, I don't want to get into the nipple confusion debate, but moms should have the option of other feeding methods if they want.

Good luck with the baby MM, and let us know when he/she gets here!

Yeah that!!!!

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See if the hospital where you plan to deliver has tours. Take a tour and ask questions. If they don't have tours call and ask to talk to the managers of labor and delivery and the postpartum units.

Where I work, we do not give a breastfed baby a bottle to "shut them up." Also, if the baby has a low blood glucose and is a breastfeeding baby, we will have mom nurse the baby and then recheck the blood glucose. If it is still low, then we will give the baby formula via bottle. If mom is absolutely adamant about no bottles, we will drop an og and gavage feed the baby. We do not cup feed babies where I work. In 2001 the first thing we did for any baby with a low blood glucose was to bottlefeed the baby even if mom wanted to breastfeed.

As for the 5 hour observation time in the nursery, hopefully this has changed since your last baby. Where I work, in 2001 we observed the baby in the nursery for 2 hours. Now, baby stays with the mother as long as the baby and mom are stable. If I have a baby who seems to be having problems transitioning, I might take the baby to the nursery for closer observation under a radiant warmer. As long as mom is stable, she can come to the nursery and sit with her baby if she wishes to.

Again, contact the hospital where you will be delivering your baby so you know what to expect in advance. When you get to the hospital communicate your wishes to the staff. Keep in mind that if you or your baby become unstable, things may not go as planned. If the unplanned happens please remember that the physicians and nurses are probably doing what is best and most appropriate for you or your baby in that circumstance.

I hope things have changed since your last baby and things go more smoothly for you and your newborn this time.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I can't believe some of the archaic and draconian practices in certain hospitals. First of all, in our unit, the baby only goes to the nursery if :

Sick enough to warrant admission there

or

At Mom's request for a break.

It is not our baby, but hers. We do NOT give bottles, pacifiers, etc unless specifically requested by the parent. The baby gets nothing but breastmilk unless blood sugars fall very low (and then, it's by cup) or they are bottle babies.

Like I said, it's not our baby, but hers. She runs the show, unless the baby is too sick and has to be attended by a nurse in our special care nursery. The way some hospitals/personnel spirit well babies away to a nursery for "monitoring" or bathing, I just don't get. That is a total waste of time and not baby-family-friendly at all.

I agree w/the suggestions above. Tour the place you plan to give birth, to see what the practices are----and be very assertive in what you want done, when, if at all possible.

Good luck.

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When I had my false alarm not long ago, I looked in the nursery and saw a little bundle in a bassinet and wondered if he would have to be there 5 hours. Then , when I was hooked to the monitor I heard loud screaming and heard them wheeling him down the hall to his mommy.

I'll just tell them if they insist on keeping him in the nursery they will either have to let me in or I will be standing with my face pressed against the glass.

Yes, I'm in Podunk, USA, the hospital in my town doesn't do deliveries and the closest birthing center is a good 30 minutes away. But I imagine things will work out regardless. I hope I have some good nurses advocating for me like you all do on here...that one that was there when I had my false labor, I'm really scared of walking in the door and seeing her again though...

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Remember whose baby and birth experience this is, and do not be afraid to politely assert your rights in every way. Have family members there who are helpful, if you need support and backup.

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