Was your DH allowed in recovery?

[Benjy]

I'm having a caesarean in two weeks and have been told that DH will not be able to join me in recovery. He will be sent back to the ward to wait for me there. Is that normal?

i didnt have a CS but was in the recovery area, on a drip to be monitored, the people who had CS were there too and my dp got to stay with me as did all the other new mums partners/husbands

I was in a recovery room after em-cs with two beds (both occupied) Not only was DH with me, but they also let in my mum, sister, MIL and FIL! I wish they hadn't, I was trying to eat my toast and stare at my baby!

They all just turned up after DH rang to say I was having a section and waiting to go to theatre. Next time he is not to phone anyone until at least an hour after the birth...!

JemL - It was YOU

Yes, my DP was after my ECS. Had been a long night and he fell asleep on the floor next to my bed! Think he rather amused the midwives actually!!!!

strikeuptheband Your experience sounds so similar to mine. DH was allowed in recovery with me which was where I stayed for 2 days but the babies were whisked away although we did get to look at them briefly first. He could go and see them in NICU but I had to wait about 12 hours until I held DD2 (he somehow bullied them into letting him bring her to me as she was in much better shape and was only in NICU so as not to separate the twins)It was 24 hours before I held DD1 when, similar to your situation, they allowed DH to take me up to SCBU in a wheelchair to meet her. It has haunted me ever since TBH and I felt/ feel so cheated. Like you I'm obviously very grateful to the wonders of medical science in making sure my daughters survived but really did feel as if my babies had been stolen and don't think I will ever really recover from that. Sorry, hijack.

Back on topic... Benjy, I really think you need to kick up a stink. There is no reason your partner shouldn't be there to give you emotional and practical support. This kind of thing really annoys me. If they'd not allowed DH to be with me after they'd taken my babies I'd have been in even more of a mess and it meant he could go backwards and forwards between NICU and recovery and give me updates and bring me photos. As others have said, when you and your baby are in recovery after the op DH should be there to help you and you ought to be together to share the experience you've just had.

Good luck with this Benjy.

That sounds bonkers. Why shouldn't he be allowed in there?

DH was in recovery for my first, emergency section and like others, was able to report about DDs condition by going back and forth to SCBU.

With my second, elective, he took DS to recovery for weighing, checks etc, while I was stitched. Then we both stayed there for about an hour. I think it's vital to have some support at that time.

Benji - that is an archaic rule. In my unit parners are present in recovery. Insist that you want him there - there is no good reason why he should not be.