Stressing about being on post natal ward

[Roo9979]

I was very lucky with my first baby and managed to get sent home the first day..however with baby 2 I know it’s likely I’ll have to stay in as I have group b strep infection so they need to observe baby for at least 12-48 hours to check they don’t get the infection.

I’m feeling quite anxious in general but I’m a very private person and really stressing about this..I want time to bond with baby and be comfortable establishing breastfeeding etc. Can’t think of anything worse than being stuck on a ward with other mums and babies crying all night. Also no visitors under 12 years and I’ve not left my 2 year old before so two days + would be a lot.

I know loads of / most women have to stay at least one night so looking for reassurance that I’m being a drama queen and it’s not that bad or tips on how to make it easier! My hospital has an option to pay for private room which I would do but don’t think I’ll be eligible as it says only if baby and mum don’t need observation (seems strange as why would you be in at all then?!)

It’s one of those things really isn’t it? You can ask after a private room fwiw, but also bring along headphones, ear plugs, your own pillow, a long cable for your phone/iPad and just do your best.

I’m in for a week (maybe 10 days) and feel the same, the whole thing is ruining the excitement for me, but as pp said it really is just one of them things. It doesn’t help that our visiting hours are only 3-5pm

You can 100% ask for a private room and pay, but remember you can be moved in someone is higher priority than you. I’ve debated over a private room but just going to see how I get on. Good luck

I had to stay 6 nights after DC1 was born due to infection. It really wasn't that bad and I ended up feeling a little anxious about going home and being on our own 🤣 the first night was the worst with the noise etc (it wasn't that bad but I'm a light sleeper anyway) but after that you just get used to it. I'd download an app of white noise if the noise would get to you just for some background noise. I actually found it quite useful staying in as we got to really establish breastfeeding as had help on tap if I needed it. I felt like I had my privacy and everyone has their curtains shut. It was fine.

I found it much better on post natal second time during covid as no visitors were allowed. It was very quiet, because of the no visitors, they sent mums home as soon as possible so it was quite private, as a covid precaution they spread us all out well throughout the ward and there were plenty of staff to help with everything.
First time pre covid it was full of mothers, babies and visitors, staff seemed to have no time probably due to all the visitors they had to work round and it was hell. I did miss visitors second time but it was much better overall. I had to stay in as they wanted to check my iron levels the day after I gave birth.

They may just mean the level of observation for example someone that has had a large blood loss they may want to keep in a bay with other women incase they fainted etc there is more people around or it could be the location of the side rooms on the ward again someone that needs more observation it’s safer to have them closer to the desk etc. I obvious don’t know for your unit but I’m just guessing so hopefully if it’s just that you have GBS and it’s just routine observations for baby in view of that then hopefully you will be eligible for the private room. All the best for your delivery xx

I paid for a private room but didn’t like it. You’re far more likely to have midwives checking you/baby are ok, offering tea and helping with breastfeeding on a postnatal ward. I felt alone in the side room and worried about my strep group B possible baby.
It’s only one night.. you can do this. You might feel a bit fragile and grateful for the care

Ps I’ve done both and preferred the ward

Hope you get sent home soon and everything is alright. Its definately no fun being there, as you say crying babies all around.. i had to stay 10 days or so and baby started crying of course everytime when other babies cry . Its exhausting.
But theres good side of it too! Someone is there always to help you, you dont have to do anything so enjoy that part of it. And food is served to you too. When you go home its all on you I'm assuming like on every woman

I'm sorry you're feeling stressed about this. I agree with other pps - extra pillows, long cables, curtains shut. For what it's worth, i had an undiagnosed GBS infection (DD was early and my private test hadn't come back before she arrived) and DD developed sepsis. Luckily, we hadnt been discharged when it was picked up but she spent 3 days in NICU, 7 days in SCBU and we nearly lost her. I can completely understand why you want to get home but I wouldn't wish our experience on anyone. I know its easier said than done but just focus on the fact you are all being well cared for and it will be a tiny blip once you do get home. All the best for your labour and delivery!

I’ve been on wards for more than a day both times after I gave birth. First time around was due to having trouble breastfeeding and second time around I had a smaller baby who needed to be feeding a certain amount before we could be discharged.

I haven’t had a private room before so can’t compare. The ward has curtains around each bed so you can get your privacy if required. I didn’t particularly enjoy sharing one shower and toilet though. The other babies weren’t disruptive at all and not were the mums, everyone’s just kind of getting on with it quietly and in their own wee world tbh.

It will be over before you know it, just focus on the end goal - getting home.

I did 5 nights alone with my first born at the beginning of covid. It was ridiculously hard. But also a weirdly special time. Hopefully you don't have to stay in longer than 2 days. I think if you mentally prepare for the worst it can only be better.

@Somerandomgirl They definitely encouraged mums to do their own nappies and feeds etc. I don’t remember getting help unless I was a total zombie and they took baby away so I could sleep for a bit. Other than that I was woken up at 3 am and told to wake baby up and try and feed her. I was also advised to try and walk to the toilet myself carrying one of those IV fluid pole thingys. Your right about the food though, it’s nice to be served tea and toast when you’re absolutely exhausted.

I had to stay 12 hours after birth as I had an epidural and I couldn't wee at first. I had a private room and it was bliss. I didn't pay for it ... not sure why I was given it! They did pop in every few hours to check on us but it was so nice to be alone without the noise

I was in a private room while being induced as no spare beds. It was so much better than on the ward afterwards. The midwives took more time with me in the private room, I think it gave them a chance to hide from the stress outside! Definitely recommend it if you can.

I hated it, wish I paid for a private room, I felt so uncomfortable

With Covid most hospitals are discharging as quickly as possible.

I had Group B Strep, Gestational Diabetes and an epidural, I was still allowed home the same day :)

I also had exactly the same with my first child and went home the following morning.

I was worrying about this before going in last month. I just pictured myself walking down the middle of this ward to get to the toilet, blood all over my jammies and everyone staring at me as I struggled past 🙈 Turns out it wasn’t like that at all! I had a c-section so I was in a ward with other people who had all had c-sections. The curtains round each bed were automatically all closed at night and the ones between each bed weren’t opened at all while I was in. I had imagined it would look really rude if I was to close the curtains but because we were all stuck in bed pretty much the curtains were closed for us. I also thought I would be sitting talking to the person across from me the whole time - never happened! Everyone was so busy with their own baby that no one cared enough to look at or talk to anyone else 🙈 I was very glad to have a black dressing gown to put round me to get to the toilet because the part about the blood on my jammies definitely did happen 😂 I saw people saying to take a fan but I presumed it wouldn’t be hot enough that week, I really wish I had! The main thing that was bad was the noise and the fact nurses kept coming in and out the door (I was in the first bed right beside it and it creaked every time). I didn’t sleep for even a second the entire night and felt so much worse when I got home because of the lack of sleep, nothing to do with the baby either! It was just everyone else’s babies crying all night, buzzers going and the door opening. I did see people suggesting ear plugs but I was paranoid I wouldn’t of heard my own baby so I couldn’t have used them. I did take earphones and put one in to listen to some podcasts and had Netflix episodes downloaded to my phone but didn’t end up watching them.

It probably won’t be as bad as you’re expecting but I wouldn’t fancy another night in there 🙈

Pay for the private room if you can afford it