When a baby is born....what does your hospital do?

breastfeedingRN · Sep 28, 2005

we play brahms lullably when the mom is leaving L&D on her way to postpartum, so that she can hear it. it only plays in the main hospital halls/public areas, not on the units/rooms, so the mom never got to hear "her" baby's song (we used to play it when a baby was born). it plays when they are passing thru the double doors of L&D.

this also saves patients there who suffered a loss, etc, from hearing it in the rooms, which might be a way to compromise for places that have complaints.

Siouxz2 · Sep 28, 2005

Our hospital plays "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Last week I observed my first births, and was just so tickled to hear the song played for "my" babies. That being said, I completely understand how it would be devastating to a mom who has lost her child. Whether or not the song can be heard in all rooms, etc., I don't know. I certainly hope the families who have suffered such a loss are shielded somehow.

I think this is a new development in our hospital, as I don't remember ever hearing the song played until this semester. On the whole, I think it is a wonderful idea. We'll see if it lasts.

Jolie, BSN · Sep 28, 2005

The replies from those who would NOT want it played made a lot of sense. As I've never lost a baby, I couldn't relate from experience, only what I "think" my opinion of the lullaby's playing would be. I defer to those dear ones who have unfortunately been in that situation. Bless you, how hard that must have been/be. I can understand your not wanting to hear it; situation is hard enough. Again, bless you and gentle hugs to those of you who have experienced that loss, no matter how long ago. Thank you for posting. -------- D

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful remarks.

nursemomruns · Sep 28, 2005

I was at a sister hospital in Nashville this week attending a class. I was sitting in the cafeteria having lunch and heard a little baby giggle and then about 30 seconds of Brahms Lullaby. I heard it several times during the week. I asked someone sitting near me, what's up with that? and they said that is played everytime a baby is born. I thought that is so sweet. I'm going to suggest this to my hospital. My daughter is due in 7 weeks and I think it's a super idea! Does your hospital do anything special when a baby is born?

They play Brahm's at my hospital, too.

gr8rnpjt, RN · Sep 28, 2005

We don't do anything. :)
steph

"SpiderMan is my son."

stevielynn, I beg to differ, but I believe that spiderman is my son. I am quite sure of this and I assure you I took him to day care this morning.

mugwump · Oct 5, 2005

Just another little side of this. Even though I think it is a cut idea and I can understand the emotional down side of opeining up old or fresh wounds. The shear number of deliveries we do at our hospital around 750 a month. That lullabye would be going off about 25 times a day. (I think we'd all be hearing lullaby's in our sleep) No thanks.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 5, 2005

check your monitors, some of the newer fetal heart monitors play Brahm's Lullaby. I say it should NOT be played in the hospital; very hurtful to those just having had a demise or other pregnancy loss.

Newbie Nurse SMP · Oct 21, 2005

I do not work in a hospital, but I know Passaic Beth Isreal plays a lullabye everytime a baby is born.

I think is is such a sweet idea!!

elkpark · Oct 22, 2005

I've worked in five general hospitals over the years I've been in nursing, most of them large-ish teaching hospitals, and none of them did anything to announce a birth within the hospital. I had never even heard of such a thing until I saw this thread. (My first thought when I saw the title - "Umm, usually, we clean it up and put it in a bassinet; what does your hospital do?") I realize I'm in the non-PC minority here, but I think it's a dumb idea -- I don't see any reason why it's a good idea, and, as others before me have pointed out, it can be hurtful for a lot of people.

Altalorraine · Oct 23, 2005

It's terribly sad that people lose babies, but I don't think that means we should stop celebrating when babies are born. What's next? Do we hide the balloons in the gift shop, make pregnant women come in through the back entrance in case someone should accidentally see one, cancel Christmas? It hurts to lose a baby; no amount of misguided "sensitivity" will make it not hurt, but the whole world is a sadder place when we stop celebrating the births of babies.

Altalorraine

Darlene K. · Oct 23, 2005

Our hospital doesn't do anything. I think it would be a lovely idea! :)

fergus51 · Oct 23, 2005

It's terribly sad that people lose babies, but I don't think that means we should stop celebrating when babies are born. What's next? Do we hide the balloons in the gift shop, make pregnant women come in through the back entrance in case someone should accidentally see one, cancel Christmas? It hurts to lose a baby; no amount of misguided "sensitivity" will make it not hurt, but the whole world is a sadder place when we stop celebrating the births of babies.
Altalorraine

No one is talking about not celebrating births, just not throwing it in the faces of those who are hurting. There is a difference between having balloons in the gift shop, pregnant women in the hospital, etc. and forcing a mom who lost a baby to be exposed to them unecessarily. You likely wouldn't bring in baby clothes to show to a woman who just lost a baby for her to see how cute they are because it would be cruel. They will choose the pace for their own healing.

One hospital I worked in had over 6000 births a year. Playing a song everytime a baby was born over the PA would have been annoying to say the least:chuckle Parents celebrated with their friends and family, the whole hospital didn't have to be involved.