to be worried about infection?

[BestZebbie]

I am posting from a postnatal ward during my first night with my pfb, so am v. prepared to be told IABU. My worry is that the lady in the next cubicle has just been warned her baby may have meningitis - though on antibiotics and expected to be OK. Istr from uni meningitis scares that it is very dangerous and very contagious - pls reassure me that this is somehow a totally dif. situation and eg: midwives handling her DC and then moving straight onto mine aren't a risk to my very new PFB!!

You really don't need to worry - if there were any risk of infection they would move the poorly baby ASAP.
But I have 2 children and I understand how worrying some things can be; even if they're actually not! Please don't worry and enjoy your night with your PFB - you' ll never get another

Neonatal types of meningitis are really not at all contagious from baby to baby, and even meningococcal meningitis (which will have been what you've heard about in scares at uni) you need to be what's known as a kissing contact (ie spent several lours in proximity of or had intimate contact with like kissing and cuddling) to transfer it (hence it being an issue at uni, lots of people from different parts of the country so with different immune profiles all snogging each other!!)

It isn't something that can be caught by airborne transfer, the midwives will be washing their hands and to help you feel safer (in general, not cos of the patient next door) just ask them to wash their hands in front of you before they touch you or your baby (oh, and huge congrats for your undoubtedly gorgeous and squishy pfb too!!)

You should not worry about it. Congratulations and enjoy your new bundle of joy!

If you are worried, ask the midwives to explain!
The baby would be barrier nurses in a side room if there was infection risk.

Her baby may have meningitis from group b strep, therefore not contagious. Baby will be ok having IV antibiotics.