Post natal visiting times...

[shellyhansin]

Probably an BU. Had a baby yesterday and he's not very well. Been admitted to hospital with him. He's on a normal PN ward so not desperately sick, but too dangerous to send him home now.

My partner is with me. Great that they are letting him stay on the chair next to me. I'm so thankful for that.

Thing is, I just want my dad. He's only allowed to visit for two hours and he's a 4.5 hour drive away (at least). I'm struggling with being in here and worried about my baby. My partner is amazing but we are in each other's pockets.

I also don't really get a lot of what is going on. I thought family could visit throughout the day, my dad is a gp and I wanted him to be here throughout the day to help me understand things. He's like my best mate, my dad. I can't describe it, I just need him.

I know IABU expecting him to be allowed to visit. I don't really know what I'm asking. Worried about my baby and want my father here with me.

How do I cope without my dad?

I understand I sound a bit pathetic right now...

Your dad can visit within the visiting times which are usually advertised on the ward. If you want his medical opinion could you ask for a staff member to call him or have access to babies notes? My baby was in special care so I can say from experience that you need all the support you can get as its a really difficult time but they have to have visiting rules for CFs on wards. I was on a ward in tears as they wheeled my baby off to special care and the CF in the next bay tried to have about 20 visitors! I literally couldn't hear the doctor. Could your dad find accommodation nearby so he can come in during visiting times?

Could you ask if your dad is allowed to be present the next time you speak to a doctor? If your dad came around visiting time could you have the visit on the ward then go for a small walk just with him to help you talk about things?

Where I gave birth you could have one person with you all the time (and they could sleep in the chair) but everyone else had to come during visiting hours. Could you ask whether your DF can take over from your DP and stay with you? If he's been trying to sleep in a chair your DP might appreciate going home and getting some proper rest anyway.

It's frustrating because I'm on a ward with mainly healthy babies. If he was in the neonatal unit we would be able to have visitors (immediate family) all the time. I'm somewhere in between. I completely understand why we are on this ward and I'm so grateful I don't have a deathly sick baby. We could be here over two weeks however and I'm just so frustrated. They won't let him switch with my partner unfortunately so when my partner isn't here I am on my own. They are really strict.