to be saddened by way some American hospitals handle birth?

[eachpeach11]

Just watched a programme where a mum gave birth by csection. Baby was taken away whilst she was still being stitched. Think dad went too. She didn't get to see baby till 2 hours later. (Baby well)
So different to my last experience (1 month ago) where baby never left my sight. Was even offered skin to skin in theatre although declined as felt too wobbly.

[Francagoestohollywood]

"saddened", really?

What I find sad - like Edgar pointed out - is the high number of women who don't have insurance cover and that don't get adequate antenatal care... in one of the wealthiest country in the world!

[MoreBeta]

The over medicalisation stems largely from doctors wishing to avoid extremely high damages awarded in US courts. A doctor that does not intervene and use every medical test and procedure available will be sued if something goes wrong and it can be proved that an intervention or test that might have saved the baby was not used.

[Cahoots]

I had one of my three DC in the US. It was very clinical (in a bad way) and despite the fancy surroundings I felt I received the worst care. The medical treatment was fine but there was no 'care', IYSWIM. My DC came very very quickly and they kept trying to get me to sign bits of paper in between contractions. They really didn't like the fact i kept insisting on going on all fours despite me explaining that it hurt way, way less when i did so. I was then shown a video to tell me how to look after a newborn (and sign something to say that I had understood).
After the birth I was put in a shared room with an awful American family who ate pizza's and talked VERY LOUDLY for hours on end. The smell and noise was awful. Luckily, I left the following morning.

[dinkystinky]

erm, the post in the OP sounds alot like my DS1's birth in the UK - traumatic birth in labour ward, DS1 rushed off to special care and I sent DH with him (as I wanted a parent with him and I'd torn to buggery) and lying back being stitched up for the best part of an hour - finally wheeled down to see my son 6 hours later

[eachpeach11]

Sounds awful dinky Hope everything ok now. Baby in film though was perfectly healthy so I just found it strange that she coludn't stay with mum.

[lighthousekeeping]

And yet I've seen plenty of those US birth stories were the couple have had natural births, births in water, births at home so, it must happen. Also what about those that are in the shows re extended breast feeding and not using nappies? How do they get on? Do they fight for their choices or are they encouraged? The American healthcare system does fascinate me.

[FolkGhoul]

That sounds exactly like my experience of C section. I think it probably depends on the individual experience.

I was in recovery for 12 hours and didn't see DD until she was nearly 24 hours old.

[dinkystinky]

Thanks Eachpeach - it was pretty awful but he's a strapping 6 year old now so doesnt seem to have done him much harm

I agree, a healthy baby should be able to stay with mum and dad and have kangaroo care from either

My SIL gave birth in the US - natural birth, baby stayed with her at all times. So it can be that way there.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Well, I think I had the best of both worlds. I live in Canada. So, we have the US focus on good care and expensive post birth lovely rooms and all that. However, we have mainly free healthcare and MWs and a year of mat leave and VBACs if you want them. Everyone, come to Canada.

I had a CS and my surgeon was utterly lovely. He and the MW came and chatted with me and explained everything. Even left the room so DH and I could discuss it. They said it could be put off but they thought I would have one in the end (4 days and I never got over 2cm). All at 3am, BTW. DD never left my sight. They even offered skin to skin after the CS.

[RubyrooUK]

My UK birth also saw my DS given to my DH as I was in theatre. After I cried for 30 minutes inconsolably of the two hours it took to stitch me up as I wanted to hold my baby so badly, the anesthetist (sp?) eventually shouted at the nurse "can someone just bring her the baby for god's sake?" after trying to cuddle me a bit on the operating table - I was seriously distressed. My husband and son were brought in and I got to hold him eventually. After all I'd read about hospitals promoting skin-to-skin, I didn't really expect not to see my healthy baby straight after birth.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

NatashaBee

Are you she? Please say yes

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

^ ignore last post. Got mixed up with Samantha Bee