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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Are Bounty reps on maternity wards still a thing?

67 replies

PirateWeasel · 12/07/2018 15:34

I saw a thread on AIBU from 2016 talking about this and how awful it is, and I wondered if it still happens? None of my friends who've had babies recently have mentioned it so perhaps it's dying out or banned now? It flipping should be banned if it isn't - I couldn't get over the cheek of it when I first read about it in that thread!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 12/07/2018 17:00

Actually my trust stopped them!
They were a thing in 2015 when my friend had her DD but with the DTs in Feb, there was a drop in session to go to. Was so relieved!

harrietm87 · 12/07/2018 17:12

Had someone come round when my baby was born 11 weeks ago. We had a private room and she just walked in. When I realised it wasn't a staff member I asked her to leave. She said she'd just leave some freebies if I didn't want to talk to her but I was so angry at the intrusion I said no. I think it's disgusting that the hospitals allow them access when they limit actual visitors.

splendidsqueak7 · 12/07/2018 17:13

I was wandering if Bounty reps were still a thing too. I’m due to have DC1 in September, and find the Bounty thing kinda weird. I’ve written on my birth plan ‘no Bounty’, and might even print a little sign. My fam all live far away, and won’t see baby for a few weeks after the birth, so I’m super sensitive about who is around in those first precious days: just DH, marvellous midwife/medical team, and any invited guests. DH is practising his firm-yet-polite ‘no thank you’ in case of persistent Bounty-ing!

WhirlingTurkey · 12/07/2018 19:08

I'm still annoyed with myself for handing over personal details to the Bounty lady when DC1 was born. I said no to the photos, but for some reason filled in the form. I was having a tough time and I think it is completely exploitative the way they are allowed on the wards. It is very inappropriate. The people in the bed next to me had photos taken and I was cringing at the hard sell she gave them (and the prices!).

Also to the PP who said they don't try and sell things, of course they do, they are primarily there to take photos of your child and then sell them to you.

Whymustyoubringinthebirds · 12/07/2018 19:18

It is still a thing but I think it depends on the hospital, when I was in there wasn’t any and wasn’t meantioned by anyone and none of the other mums I am friends seen them either so think there aren’t allowed in that particular hospital

SiolGhoraidh · 12/07/2018 19:22

They annoy me enough that when I got my folder at my booking in appointment (my trust put your green book in a Bounty branded folder full of advertising) I binned it immediately and put everything in a plain manila folder from work. I really didn't like the idea of being a walking advert at every appointment.

as @splendidsqueak7 said, 'No Bounty' is definitely going on my birth plan, If I want photos of the baby, I'm sure the husband can oblige.

NanooCov · 12/07/2018 20:26

When I had DS1 the Bounty woman strolled straight in to my bay on the ward despite the fact my curtains were pulled. I was trying to express and not being very successful so was furious. She looked around for DS and said "Is the baby hiding?!" I had to tell her DS was very poorly and on SCBU. I lost my shit with her completely. They should be banned. Thankfully when I had DS2 8 months ago the hospital had changed their policy and they are no longer allowed on the ward - they have a little spot in the relatives room and you have to go to them if you want photos etc.

PatchworkElmer · 12/07/2018 20:34

It really winds me up that some sodding Bounty woman could come strolling in at any time, but my Mum was limited to baiting hours. How is that right?!

Ours came round when DS had been taken to intensive care. I’d been adamant beforehand that I’d just say ‘no’, but I was so tired, had lost a lot of blood, and felt very vulnerable and sad about my baby being unwell. She offered to go to special care to take photos of him- again, HOW is this allowed? It’s a totally unnecessary person on the ward, and therefore an unnecessary infection risk.

PatchworkElmer · 12/07/2018 20:35

waiting hours

user1471426142 · 12/07/2018 20:57

I put in my notes that I did not consent to the Bounty lady coming anywhere near me. If she had, I’d have written to the information comisisioner. I feel so strongly that they shouldn’t be on the ward.

emmaluggs · 12/07/2018 21:04

Yes I had briefed my partner on them to allow him to tell them to move on, I’d had zero sleep in the run up to labour, a baby who needed extra care after the birth so I was anxious about him and equally wanting to get home to some peace and decent food. They came round at an awful time we were still practising his latch, his blood sugars had dropped and she was very sharply told to go away.

BlueBug45 · 13/07/2018 02:19

OP it depends on the trust.

In my trust in London you get absolutely nothing from Bounty and their app indicates they haven't "partnered" with it.

My friends' who have given birth in the last 5 years of so in hospitals that aren't "partnered" , and some are very vocal about their person info, haven't mentioned being hassled by the Bounty rep but have mentioned lots of other things they were unhappy with.

Annalogy · 13/07/2018 02:48

I gave birth nearly 7 weeks ago and they're definitely still around.

Offered me a photo shoot whilst I still had my catheter in safe to say I declined

I agree - the last thing you want when you've just given birth is someone trying to sell you something.

DappledThings · 13/07/2018 07:35

Was approached by one at first scan with DC1. Never saw one again after that and have 2 DC. This was all at King's in London 2015/6 and 2017.

HidCat · 13/07/2018 08:33

I had a good experience but this was 5 years ago. The lady came around and we had a nice chat, she took photos and I was already registered with Bounty for the free packs so didn't mind giving my details. I was given the details for a website to view the photos and opted solely for the free key ring that was bing offered. A few months later they ran a promotion with Snapfish and I got digital version of all the pictures, for free! Was a very pleasant surprise and gorgeous photos. Sounds like I was very lucky.

Bibijayne · 13/07/2018 08:54

How do you find out if they're a thing at your hospital? I want to be prepared to tell them to F-off in advance.

MagicFajita · 13/07/2018 08:58

I had one come in , give me a pack then leave. This was last year in South London.

I don't understand how it can be that bothersome, what do they try to 'sell' you?

annlee3817 · 13/07/2018 08:58

I just said that my dad was a photographer and that he should be the first one to take pictures of my daughter (white lie, my dad likes photography as a hobby) she was fine with that, left me with the pack and went on her way. Also if any try to make out you need that pack to get child benefit forms or tax credit forms that's rubbish as you can download them from the government website.

ellesbellesxxx · 13/07/2018 09:02

They just knocked, gave us a pack and left.. said nothing about photos

PinkCrystal · 13/07/2018 09:05

I loved them and the freebies! They also used to give out the child benefit forms in the pack. I got a lot of information from the books as well. And love my photos. I see it as a huge overreaction to ban them. Why not just decline?

Attic14 · 13/07/2018 09:15

I see it as a huge overreaction to ban them

I'm sure those who have sadly lost their babies or had them in intensive care wouldn't agree? We've had some shit experiences.

Maybe if people didn't use them and organised their own photos, maybe no-one would have to suffer. Why should marketing be on a hospital ward? It's not the place at all!

deenagh · 13/07/2018 09:21

I wish I had been more aware of how crappy Bounty is when DS1 was born in 2015. Luckily they didn't take any photographs or even offer to, becase I wouldn't have been able to afford them, but I'm not entirely sure I would have been able to refuse them!
But I gave over my details as I was still groggy from all the pain relief I'd had, and I didn't see the harm. I've only just stopped receiving junk in the post.
It's horrible that sales reps are allowed on wards of any sort. I'm just glad that I'm more educated on the whole thing now, as I'm due to have DS2 next week! I'm very much prepared for them this time around.

LooksBetterWithAFilter · 13/07/2018 09:26

I live in the highlands. NHS Highland banned them a couple of years ago after complaints from parents and pressure to do so.
I did get the photo fonecfor dd 15 years ago because I didn’t have a decent camera then it’s a lovely photo. By the time ds1 came along 3 years later I had a digital camera so said no wasn’t only in overnight and the woman came back several times to bug me about getting it done.

Attic14 · 13/07/2018 09:27

Some of the reps can be nice, and respectful (maybe @chocolate is?) but some of them use some shitty tactics, not introducing themselves and leaving new mums to assume they are health care.

I am surprised that these mad bats can waltz anywhere near us now considering GDPR laws.

Celebelly · 13/07/2018 09:34

@PinkCrystal

Because some women have had traumatic labours and babies who have been born unwell and shouldn't have to feel pressured to buy photos. The last thing I want when I've just given birth is for someone I don't know and who has no clinical reason for being there to waltz in and try to sell me tat. Just read the experiences of some of the women on this thread. You might have had a nice experience but it's by no means universal.

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