Scared of being alone in the ward with the baby

[mareylu]

Hi ladies,

I'm 38+1 with my first baby and I am absolutely petrified at the thought of my husband being sent home and me being left alone with baby girl in the ward overnight. I know this might not even happen, depending on when I give birth, but still, I'm more scared of this than actual labour! I know nothing about babies, how am I meant to take care of her completely on my own!?

Have anyone of you had any experience with this? Will the midwives be helpful, or will I literally be left alone with the baby? Did you manage to get any rest at all? I'm so scared!

You probably won't be on your own but if it's at all reassuring I was and I had no clue but it was absolutely fine! Take a phone charger and then you can just google/mumsnet for everything you need to know 😂

At first your baby will just want cuddles, food and sleep and nappy changes. Ask the midwives about feeding (very regular for a newborn), read about safe sleep guidelines and maybe practice nappy changing (cotton wool and water to wipe clean, pop some cream on and then new nappy. The newborn nappies have a line down the middle that goes blue when wet which helps reassure you that there is some output!)

It seems terrifying but I had no idea but quickly picked it up as we went. I gave birth just before visiting hours ended so DH went virtually immediately but I think it's unusual. There was a buzzer for midwives and a very nice other mum across the curtain and we watched eachother's babies when we popped to the loo, but most people just used the buzzer a lot

You'll be fine. I had no clue about babies either. Your mummy instincts will kick in. X

No-one knows what they're doing. Everyone's winging it. The staff and other mums will know how you're feeling and help all they can.

With my first I was home within 6 hours, didn't go to the post natal ward. Also a lot of it is instinctual- trust yourself and I'm sure you'll know what to do. If in doubt offer a feed and cuddle!

I spent so much time worrying about this before my baby was born. Honestly you just get on with it x

The staff came and woke me up every hour or two to take my blood pressure and make sure I fed the baby -you'll be desperate to be left alone by the end of it! Good luck and remember that nobody knows what they're doing anyway but we all get through it nonetheless! Enjoy that first night, it's surreal and lovely and you'll never forget it!! X

Do you know for certain you can’t have anyone stay with you. Our hospital allow a partner to stay (in a uncomfortable recliner by the side of your bed all night) my OH didn’t either time but definitely could have.

I'd never held a baby before I had dd .. ever !! The nurses/ midwives were lovely with me and card for her while I slept . I was fairly sick etc but still they will know if you aren't experienced with babies ( or tell them ) don't worry .

I remember this with my first I just sat on the ward in our little area petrified to sleep incase I missed a feed or something happened to her whilst I slept I remember I must of dropped of at some point and she woke me up crying so I gave her a feed and then tried to change her nappy but she had done this really jet black sticky poo that was all over her clothes and body, just everywhere and I remember freaking out like wtf is this? It was fine but scared me and I think I got maybe an hours sleep that night, it did get easier though I learnt from her when she was hungry she would cry to tell me, I also used to use the pampers nappy with the blue line on to show when they are wet. You'll be a great mum the fact your worrying now shows that

Another thing too I loved being with the other mums on the ward we didn't speak much but it was so reassuring to know I could hear someone else baby crying and knowing it's not just me who was on their own sorting the baby out. It was a nice bonding experience to before my partner got to join us like doing night feeds etc

I’d never had anything to do with babies before having mine, never changed a nappy or anything! I was that exhausted I slept straight away afterwards but visitors were allowed in whenever. You will be ok and the midwives and nurses will be there to help you with any questions. Good luck!!

Oh what an exciting but scary time. Definitely be honest with the midwives. My friend happened to be in hospital the same time as me, her ds was born just hours after my dd. I was ok as my job for many years had been working with children right from birth plus I had nieces and nephews so I was quite clued up. She's never even held a baby really and was very forward about asking for help with changing nappies, bf (I had my mum to help with that, she didn't) and even got them to help her bath.