Experiences of children attending birth on MLU

[cttontail]

Looking for any experiences of children attending a birth on an MLU. I know some who have in the home, but wondering how much the environment will affect a child's comfort? Have already been told child needs a dedicated adult to remove from situation if necessary. Anybody done this? (Not looking for opinions really, just experiences).

[ImaginaryCat]

Our MLU doesn't permit children at all. I'm not sure if that's due to the layout, which would make it difficult to keep a child under control, or the comfort of other women. But I've never known anyone to deliver in an MLU with a sibling present.

[RachelAnneJ]

Not that I would have done it anyway, but our MLU did not permit children either.

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

I really doubt there are more than one or two who allow that at all. If you want your child present you need to have a homebirth ( with back up childcare in case of transfer).

[elliejjtiny]

My dc were allowed to visit me on the Labour ward (in the delivery room). Thieves after the baby was born though, don't know if they would have been allowed in when I was in labour. They were 8, 6, 3 and 1 at the time.

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

When I went into labour before my planned section date, they were willing to let ds into the labour ward and said he could stay if I wanted to try for vbac so I imagine it depends on the hospital/staff.

He's 3 and loved the experience so much he wants to deliver babies when he grows up. We had to bribe him out with the promise of selecting all sorts of stuff from the vending machine.

I must admit I was nervous how he'd take it because when we entered, someone was screaming but he was just interested.