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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Post-delivery Ward silly question!

47 replies

Jen306 · 11/04/2020 21:39

So if you have to be admitted to the ward after delivery Partners are no longer allowed to stay and absolutely no visitors at all.
So what do you do with the baby when you want the toilet or shower? It seems very strange to just leave them in their cot next to your bed with no one there with them! Not sure I’d feel comfortable doing that in hospital!

OP posts:
RainMinusBow · 12/04/2020 06:09

With my first (awful and prolonged labour) I'd had an epidural and so was totally numb from waist down for hours after delivery. Even back then 13 years ago, I pressed my buzzer for help because I needed to go to the loo for a wee and to clean myself up (heavy blood loss) but nobody came and husband has been sent home.
I tried to get out of the bed and get to the loo (which also meant leaving my newborn who had just vomited a whole load of meconium), but when I put my feet down I simply couldn't place them in order to get enough strength to walk.
It's stayed with me and I still remember it vividly.
I'm currently 33 weeks' pregnant with my third but using an Independent Midwife this time so very much hoping to give birth at home.

ScarfLadysBag · 12/04/2020 06:17

In our ward you just left them if you were nipping to the loo. I didn't see anyone taking their baby with them and there wasn't room in the toilet for a cot anyway. I'm not sure about a shower - I waited till DH was there, but I guess you would buzz the midwife and see if they could help out.

ReallyLoveChickens · 12/04/2020 06:20

The birth centre in our hospital is allowing partners for delivery but they can’t stay after that and can’t visit unfortunately.

The last time I gave birth was 7 years ago so it may have changed now but when I wanted a shower/wee I told the nurse and they kept an eye on the baby.

GrumpyHoonMain · 12/04/2020 06:22

I was in the pnd ward for 5 nights. I was told to open my curtains when I went to the loo. All ‘looking after’ my baby meant was that they would make sure he wasn’t kidnapped - I often returned to him screaming his eyes out. If you can try and and wheel him in with you.

edgeware · 12/04/2020 06:35

The breastfeeding support lady watched my DS for a while when she wasn’t busy. I was close to the toilets and just popped for a wee anyway, all he did was sleep!

Crystal87 · 12/04/2020 06:48

I used to just leave them and go really quick and tell a nurse where I was going. I'd prefer doing it when my partner was there but wasn't always an option.
I asked once if I had to take them into the bathroom with me and was told I wasn't allowed to do that and that they would watch them. I always returned to no one watching them however. The baby will be fine, the ward will be more secure without any unknown visitors and the baby wears an electric tag if you're worried about anyone taking them.

Mybobowler · 12/04/2020 06:53

Like another PP I just left my baby asleep in her cot when I went to the loo. It didn't occur to me to take her with me! I only showered when my partner was on the ward but I'm sure the midwives would have watched her.

I'm sure it varies from one hospital to the next, but I've seen some amazing testimonies coming out of our local maternity unit that the postnatal care has been amazing, and that the staff are really doing their best to fill the gap left by partners and other visitors. Good luck, OP!

Joans3rddaughter · 12/04/2020 06:57

Does the postnatal ward not have a baby tag/security system in place?

istheresomethingwrongwithme · 12/04/2020 07:05

With DS2 I wheeled him to the bathroom with me in his cot. I nipped to get my food and to the loo as quickly as I could and left him in my bay. He hated the little glass bowl cot, so cried the whole time I was gone Confused

Sandybval · 12/04/2020 07:12

Ask the midwives on the ward when you get there, when I was in they said to just leave the curtains open and they will keep an eye, different ones might have different policies and ways of working. It was fine though, for me preferable for wheeling him into the toilet, Ew.

cosmo30 · 12/04/2020 08:11

I left mine in the cot too when going for a wee, in a four bed bay. Didn't get told not too!

Theholidayarmadillo4 · 12/04/2020 08:12

The cots are on wheels which is great as they work as a kind of zimmer frame to push you along to the looGrin

SpudsAreLife84 · 12/04/2020 08:14

I've had 3 children, on 3 hospitals and my DH has never been allowed on a ward with me and last one was only 3 years ago. They encourage you to push the little cot thing with you to the bathroom and/or shower and the facilities are more than big enough to accommodate this. Its absolutely fine, don't stress Smile

GalileoGalileo · 12/04/2020 08:18

You leave them in the cot. Ours had pressure sensors in them and little keys - you turned the key and took it with you when you left the baby - if anyone picked baby up an alarm would go off, so you would know if someone picked up/took baby. Ward was locked down so felt safe to have a wee.

tinierclanger · 12/04/2020 08:20

When I was in with both of mine you just took the baby with you everywhere. It’s not a new situation to be on your own on the ward, you would normally be overnight anyway. You just push the little fish tank with you.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 12/04/2020 08:21

I had my dc 8 yrs ago and partners (thankfully) were not allowed to stay on the wards.

When I needed a shower I left the baby in the cot thing and went. The ward is locked, CCTV on the door. No one is stealing your baby. It’s safe.

Megan2018 · 12/04/2020 08:29

We had to just leave them by bed (this was Sept 19).
I waited until she was quiet/sleeping then quick dash. The loos were close. I didn’t stay long enough for a shower as due to bed issues I stayed in the room I delivered for 12hrs after birth that was ensuite, was only on postnatal from late eve until morning.

loserssaywhat · 12/04/2020 08:51

When I gave birth to my daughter 5 years ago nurses would not look after your baby if you left the ward for any reason unless it was quick trip to the loo. You had to take them with you when you showered. So this has definitely been hospital policy in some places for a while.

Original poster
Jen306 · 12/04/2020 21:49

Thanks for the replies I just wanted to know - it seemed like all the options I could think of were slightly odd leaving them on their own vs taking them with you to the loo!

I guess I’ll just keep my fingers crossed we can go straight home as a family from the delivery suite and if I have to stay in I’ll obviously ask what the policy is at our hospital regarding this but I just wanted some idea what to expect.

OP posts:
Allgirlmum · 15/04/2020 20:49

I left my baby in the cot to go to the bathroom didn't think not to this time going in Monday I'll be asking them to send me straight home from delivery

Savingshoes · 15/04/2020 21:57

Providing you aren't hemorrhaging, you have passed urine, I would self discharge as early as you feel ready.
That way, your family are on hand to support you and your new baby whilst you heal.

shutupsteph · 15/04/2020 22:09

The first night I was on the ward (gave birth at midnight, up onto the ward at about 2am and DP sent away straight away with no warning so was a bit of a shock as we thought he could stay to help me settle at least) I didn't go to the toilet or shower until DP came next day at about 1, which made my first pee even more difficult. I didn't know I could or how to call the midwives as nothing had been explained to me. In hindsight I could've wheeled DS into the bathroom with me but that was the last thing on my mind! My postnatal care was dreadful as a whole to be fair, hopefully your midwives have enough time to be able to offer you better care x

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