Hospitals separating moms and babies for H1N1?

• 11-05-2009 9:39 PM

  Mom~of~Munchkins Joined on 09-14-2005 Posts 4,399

  Hospitals separating moms and babies for H1N1? Reply Contact I local hospital chain (has many facilities in the metro area) has decided that it will be mandatory policy for any mom admitted for labor, cesarean, or induction exhibiting symptoms like fever over 100 degrees, sore throat, runny nose, cough, etc. to be separated from her newborn for at least 48 hours. I mean, mom's in her room. Baby's in the nursery. Mom pumps if breastfeeding. Dad, other family member, or hospital staff feeds. Complete physical separation. I know how I feel here. I mean, there's a reason I had a home birth. How do you all feel? Do you think its excessive? Do you think it will even solve the problem?

• 11-05-2009 11:32 PM

  In reply to

  Jess and Company Joined on 10-01-2004 Virginia Posts 8,528

  Re: Hospitals separating moms and babies for H1N1? Reply Contact Honestly, if they're exhibiting symptoms, I kind of agree with it. My BIL almost died because he contracted the flu from MIL in the hospital right after birth. As much as it would hurt my heart to be away from my baby for 48 hours, my child's life is more important than my desire for immediate bonding (and I do say that as a mother who wasn't able to hold her baby for 48 hours due to his medical condition) Though, I think I'd feel better about it if they'd actually do the testing for H1N1/flu rather than say "ok you have a scratchy throat so you'll see your newborn in a couple days", kwim?

• 11-06-2009 12:01 PM

  In reply to

  CrissiLovesDylan Joined on 08-24-2007 Washington Posts 154

  Re: Hospitals separating moms and babies for H1N1? Reply Contact I think it should be the call of the mother. While there may be reasons for separating a mother from her newborn, the hospital has no right to enforce such a rule, without a real medical reason. Especially if the mother is breastfeeding, and therefore providing her baby with antibodies against the particular virus she's fighting. On top of which, while pumping is all fine and good, pumping is difficult for the first few days because it's only colostrum, and the milk hasn't come in yet, so the hospital would be more likely to want to supplement with formula, something I'm completely against... and what happens when the baby refuses the real nipple after the 48 hours is up, due to nipple confusion from having only been allowed to nurse at a bottle for its first few days? I think the concerns the hospital might have, should be presented to the new mother, and she should ultimately be allowed to decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks. I know what I would decide. Separation from my new baby? Not a chance. I'll take my chances with the flu.

• 11-07-2009 9:41 PM

  In reply to

  Mom~of~Munchkins Joined on 09-14-2005 Posts 4,399

  Re: Hospitals separating moms and babies for H1N1? Reply Contact There is no science behind this decision. There has not been any evidence to suggest that a newborn will contract a virus that the mother is carrying upon intake. In fact, if you think about it, by the time mother shows symptoms, the antibodies are rampant in her system...and thus in baby's system. Therefore, its highly unlikely that baby will contract anything the mother already had prior to the birth, especially if she breastfeeds. Also, don't you think that its more likely the baby will get it if father gets it from mother, the virus mutates slightly, and then HE gives it to the baby while feeding? Plus, I know health practitioners that just wear masks and use hand sanitizer when they have any kind of influenza (which is proven worse, overall, than H1N1) rather than not go to work. Why can't parents just do the same? I think the concern is more legal than health safety, here. If a child gets sick (no matter how) and dies, the parents will sue. The hospital has the obligation to prove that they did everythign necessary in the event a child contracts an illness like this in their care. Since there is no science to suggest really how things work one way or another, they have to err on the side of caution...caution for their own financial backsides.