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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For not allowing mother to birth of baby

194 replies

FunSeal · 11/04/2024 00:20

I am due my first baby in two days and myself and my DP was so excited. My mother works in the midwifery unit where we are having the baby. I am having an elective section for health reasons.

Today I told my mum that hopefully I have a morning slot so that she could come visit in the evening. She is very upset that she is not being allowed to wait outside theatre for me to come out. She wants to swap her shift from Saturday to Friday so she has an excuse to be in the hospital and to try and see baby earlier and to use her being staff to get special privileges.

She states that she has grandparent rights and is absolutely furious that I have said no to this. Sheis blaming DP and stating that they must of made this decision when that's not the case. She really thinks ita no big deal for her to wait outside and my sibling have said that I should allow her to do this as she was involved in my niece and nephews birth.

She is now saying that my partners mum must have something to do it with it and that MIL will see the baby more then her.

AiBu by saying she is not allowed to wait outside theatre?

OP posts:
FlamingoQueen · 11/04/2024 16:37

Speak to the midwives in the morning and say that you don’t want any visitors until you say so.
Also, and most importantly, good luck for tomorrow x

Mel2023 · 11/04/2024 15:24

Some PP’s saying it’s unkind and mean of OP. It is absolutely not unkind. OP’s mum doesn’t automatically have the right because she’s staff and because her other children allowed her to do it. OP isn’t saying her mum can’t meet baby - she’s even hoping she gets to meet baby that evening once she’s out of recovery, on the ward and settled with baby. What’s wrong with that? It’s more than some grandparents get - my mum had to wait until the next day to come to hospital to meet DS as policy stated no visitors except birth partner on the day of delivery. DH’s mum had to wait until we’d been home a day or two and settled. I had an elective c-section and those few hours after baby was born DH and I wanted it just to be us, so I completely get OPs wishes. We were on the recovery ward, I was still pretty numb from spinal so not in any pain, enjoying my tea and toast in peace, midwife had dimmed the lighting in the room and made it all cosy and relaxing. DH and I were taking it in turns to do skin to skin, I was getting to grips with feeding, we were soaking in those first precious cuddles and moments together as a family. The midwife popped her head in every now and then to check me or sat quietly in a corner. It was all very quiet, calm and relaxed. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else there so I totally see where you’re coming from OP and I agree with you.

OP, I’d make it clear to your doctors, midwife on the day or even at your pre-op that while your mum is a staff, as family she is to be classed the same as any visitor and that means you don’t want any visitors until X time. Unfortunately, if your mum won’t get it into her head that this is your birth and your wish, you may have to spell it out for her colleagues who may not see the issue with her popping her head in or being there. If you explicitly tell them you don’t want anyone except DH there, including your mum, then they have to respect your wishes.

TomeTome · 11/04/2024 15:20

EnglishBluebell · 11/04/2024 15:08

@TomeTome OP asked for opinions! 😂 So yours is permitted but mine isn't? Please explain in detail why I am forbidden for giving my opinion but you are permitted. I'll wait

I responded to your opinion. No permission was refused, or opinion forbidden. It’s called a discussion, which I suppose might grow into a debate. What else could you do but wait?

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 11/04/2024 15:15

KreedKafer · 11/04/2024 14:36

I'm glad your mum isn't a midwife because if she was, I'm guessing the NMC would want to know about her abusing her position and refusing to respect the wishes of patients.

As it is, I'm pretty sure her employer would be appalled if they knew how she was behaving. It's not acceptable for anyone who works in a healthcare setting to be intruding into relatives' care. All patients are entitled to their privacy, and that includes from their own families.

If she believes that 'grandparents' rights' exist then I hope she's not spinning that bullshit to patients. Imagine if some poor woman on the ward was crying because she wants to keep her baby away from her abusive family and one of the healthcare assistants tells her there's a such a thing as 'grandparents' rights'.

Perfect.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 11/04/2024 15:11

Why are so many families absolutely barking mad and so disrespectful of boundaries and privacy?
Keep her away, she’s fucking nuts

EnglishBluebell · 11/04/2024 15:09

*from

EnglishBluebell · 11/04/2024 15:08

@TomeTome OP asked for opinions! 😂 So yours is permitted but mine isn't? Please explain in detail why I am forbidden for giving my opinion but you are permitted. I'll wait

WickedSerious · 11/04/2024 15:07

EnglishBluebell · 11/04/2024 14:58

Are you worried she's going to run off with your baby or something? Take her in another room?
Either way, if she's working then she wouldn't be able to stay with you and the baby for more than 2 mins anyway as she'll be needed elsewhere. I think denying her a quick 2 mins with her new grandchild is really mean but that's just my opinion. I also don't see how it impinges on time with your partner

'Really mean'.🙄

Iwasafool · 11/04/2024 15:05

We are all entitled to our own feelings. I didn't want my mother present when I gave birth, it was a home birth and she was in the house looking after my first born who was a toddler. The first thing I told the midwife when she arrived was if they let my mother in the room I was leaving. She believed me and when mum put her head round the door she was immediately removed.

Personally being outside the room and seeing baby leaving theatre wouldn't seem a big deal to me but if it upsets you it upsets you. No more should be said.

TomeTome · 11/04/2024 15:04

EnglishBluebell · 11/04/2024 14:58

Are you worried she's going to run off with your baby or something? Take her in another room?
Either way, if she's working then she wouldn't be able to stay with you and the baby for more than 2 mins anyway as she'll be needed elsewhere. I think denying her a quick 2 mins with her new grandchild is really mean but that's just my opinion. I also don't see how it impinges on time with your partner

It really doesn’t matter that you wouldn’t mind or think it’s “mean”. I mean personally I think it’s REALLY mean to insist on pushing yourself into a woman’s experience when she’s just had a baby and had major surgery. I think it’s perfectly normal to want to talk to your partner and see the baby for a morning and possibly recover a little and be able to show your baby to your mum proudly a bit later.

EnglishBluebell · 11/04/2024 14:58

FunSeal · 11/04/2024 14:15

Sorry for late reply. Just to clarify a few points:

She is an assistant not a midwife

My reasoning for saying no is that I want a few hours of just time with me, partner and new baby. I love my mum and want her to have her time with the baby, but in the afternoon. She's unhappy that it isn't immediately.

My partners mother is coming after my mum. She has not demanded special treatment

It's too late to change really because everything is all set for tommorow.

Are you worried she's going to run off with your baby or something? Take her in another room?
Either way, if she's working then she wouldn't be able to stay with you and the baby for more than 2 mins anyway as she'll be needed elsewhere. I think denying her a quick 2 mins with her new grandchild is really mean but that's just my opinion. I also don't see how it impinges on time with your partner

dolphinette · 11/04/2024 14:53

There is no such thing as grandparents rights, lol.

KreedKafer · 11/04/2024 14:36

I'm glad your mum isn't a midwife because if she was, I'm guessing the NMC would want to know about her abusing her position and refusing to respect the wishes of patients.

As it is, I'm pretty sure her employer would be appalled if they knew how she was behaving. It's not acceptable for anyone who works in a healthcare setting to be intruding into relatives' care. All patients are entitled to their privacy, and that includes from their own families.

If she believes that 'grandparents' rights' exist then I hope she's not spinning that bullshit to patients. Imagine if some poor woman on the ward was crying because she wants to keep her baby away from her abusive family and one of the healthcare assistants tells her there's a such a thing as 'grandparents' rights'.

Secondwifenotsecondbest · 11/04/2024 14:30

aurynne · 11/04/2024 00:47

Talk to the hospital staff and specify you don't want her around until you give permission.

This! The staff will respect your decision- they have to- and I’m sorry that your own mum doesn’t! Wishing you and Daddy a happy birth experience xx

justmyluck1234 · 11/04/2024 14:26

I can understand why your mum would like to be there (mine would be the same) however she would respect my decision if I said no.

MonsieurSpade · 11/04/2024 14:23

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2024 14:20

Speak to her manager and say that you categorically do not want her waiting outside theatre for you.

^^ This

I'd tell them that you're prepared to report her to PALS if she turns up.
The manager won't want to have that to deal with.

My dm, also a midwife 40 years ago, went on holiday when my ds was due, she didn't want people knowing she was old enough to be a gp!
😅

Greybeardy · 11/04/2024 14:23

same rules apply if she's an assistant/MSW/theatre staff/ward clerk/domestic staff/any other staff. If she changes her shift to work that day she should be doing her job not hanging about in theatres. If she starts just hanging about outside theatres she'll likely get moved along anyway. Have a word with the MW in charge today to express your concern and mention to the medical team looking after you tomorrow. It shouldn't be a problem. If she uses her staff access card/codes to get in when you've expressed that you don't want a visitor at that point then actually that could probably get her into some trouble.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2024 14:22

She needs to be really careful in regards to her professional boundaries. Particularly if she's a registered midwife. She could end up in a lot of trouble if she oversteps.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2024 14:20

Speak to her manager and say that you categorically do not want her waiting outside theatre for you.

WickedSerious · 11/04/2024 14:19

FunSeal · 11/04/2024 14:15

Sorry for late reply. Just to clarify a few points:

She is an assistant not a midwife

My reasoning for saying no is that I want a few hours of just time with me, partner and new baby. I love my mum and want her to have her time with the baby, but in the afternoon. She's unhappy that it isn't immediately.

My partners mother is coming after my mum. She has not demanded special treatment

It's too late to change really because everything is all set for tommorow.

Good luck,I hope your mother comes to her senses.

FunSeal · 11/04/2024 14:15

Sorry for late reply. Just to clarify a few points:

She is an assistant not a midwife

My reasoning for saying no is that I want a few hours of just time with me, partner and new baby. I love my mum and want her to have her time with the baby, but in the afternoon. She's unhappy that it isn't immediately.

My partners mother is coming after my mum. She has not demanded special treatment

It's too late to change really because everything is all set for tommorow.

OP posts:
Rjjwja1 · 11/04/2024 13:55

TomeTome · 11/04/2024 13:38

You aren’t being hormonal unless that means not doing what everyone else wants on a day that should be about you and your baby. FFS is it really necessary to be so people pleasing all the time? It’s ok to centre yourself op.

Maybe she isn’t.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 11/04/2024 13:55

Rjjwja1 · 11/04/2024 13:50

You never know

my sister was very hormonal while pregnant and was with family.

Yes but objecting to someone hanging around while you are giving birth or having surgery is completely reasonable regardless of hormones.

By suggesting that the OP is being hormonal, you're making it sound like the OP is being unreasonable.

Rjjwja1 · 11/04/2024 13:50

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 11/04/2024 13:34

"Being hormonal"?

Jeez. She just doesn't want her mum hanging around outside the operating theatre while she's having a C-section.

You never know

my sister was very hormonal while pregnant and was with family.

saraclara · 11/04/2024 13:45

I'm getting the impression that mum is a cleaner on the unit or some such. Because if she was a midwife or HCA, through her training she would surely know better than to take this stand.

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