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lettie · 18-02-2005, 11:18

We have 3 visitors per bed on maternity, we also have set visiting hours for everybody but the father of the baby. This is not only a fire regulation (we would have 22 mums, 22+ babies bearing in mind that we often have twins on the wards, 66 visitors and 2 or 3 staff to evacuate) This is also for the security of the babies. If your baby was snatched I'm sure that you would play holy hell. We have a no children allowed apart from the mother's own children rule. People are generally stupid when it comes to a member of the family having a baby. They will often bring in children with infectious diseases such as chicken pox. We had to ban children because of this as we had an outbreak of chest infections amongst the babies a few years ago. Approx 6 babies had to be admitted to NICU with the same infection, one baby nearly died. This infection was traced back to the child of a visitor who wasn't even related to the mother. As said before none of the visitors ever wash their hands.
I once had to evacuate the ward when the fire alarm went off during visiting. I was told to F Off by one relative who refused to leave. I told her that if she would rather burn to death or suffocate on fumes then be my guest... I have also had problems clearing the visitors from the ward when one of our ladies had a massive post partum heamorrhage and could have died. We desperately needed to get her to theatre and again the visitors were in the way and being abusive. We got security up to move them. We don't have visitors on the delivery suite, as it is not fair on the women who are labouring (the rooms are not soundproof) I am so glad that I work on there now, as the ward visiting times are getting us all down. I think that all maternity visiting should be restricted to partner and own children only. The worst offenders are often grandparents believe it or not. Women are only in hospital for about 24 hours following a vaginal delivery and 3 days following a Caesarian these days if all is well. Why do all these visitors need to come to the hospital, there's no need for it, they could be visiting women at home. Incidentally, we did try open visiting, but the women complained that they were being inundated with visitors all day and not getting any rest. People should bear in mind that new mums are tired, especially after being up all night trying to breastfeed a demanding baby. They can do without the visitors.

18-02-2005, 11:18	#52
lettie Filthy / Gorgeous Bejeweled Blitz Champion! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Xanadu Posts: 4,005 Blog Entries: 337 Liked: 67 times Rep Power: 88670	Re: I could spit i'm so mad!!! We have 3 visitors per bed on maternity, we also have set visiting hours for everybody but the father of the baby. This is not only a fire regulation (we would have 22 mums, 22+ babies bearing in mind that we often have twins on the wards, 66 visitors and 2 or 3 staff to evacuate) This is also for the security of the babies. If your baby was snatched I'm sure that you would play holy hell. We have a no children allowed apart from the mother's own children rule. People are generally stupid when it comes to a member of the family having a baby. They will often bring in children with infectious diseases such as chicken pox. We had to ban children because of this as we had an outbreak of chest infections amongst the babies a few years ago. Approx 6 babies had to be admitted to NICU with the same infection, one baby nearly died. This infection was traced back to the child of a visitor who wasn't even related to the mother. As said before none of the visitors ever wash their hands. I once had to evacuate the ward when the fire alarm went off during visiting. I was told to F Off by one relative who refused to leave. I told her that if she would rather burn to death or suffocate on fumes then be my guest... I have also had problems clearing the visitors from the ward when one of our ladies had a massive post partum heamorrhage and could have died. We desperately needed to get her to theatre and again the visitors were in the way and being abusive. We got security up to move them. We don't have visitors on the delivery suite, as it is not fair on the women who are labouring (the rooms are not soundproof) I am so glad that I work on there now, as the ward visiting times are getting us all down. I think that all maternity visiting should be restricted to partner and own children only. The worst offenders are often grandparents believe it or not. Women are only in hospital for about 24 hours following a vaginal delivery and 3 days following a Caesarian these days if all is well. Why do all these visitors need to come to the hospital, there's no need for it, they could be visiting women at home. Incidentally, we did try open visiting, but the women complained that they were being inundated with visitors all day and not getting any rest. People should bear in mind that new mums are tired, especially after being up all night trying to breastfeed a demanding baby. They can do without the visitors. __________________ Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether. The views expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of my family, friends, employer, this site, my neighbours, hairdresser, dentist, GP, next door's dog or anyone else who knows me..