Do they have to take the baby after it is born to another room to be washed?

Bonnie - posted on 05/28/2012

Where I live, the hospital here wipes the baby down really well with towels and then the first night, a nurse will bring a baby tub into the room for the first bath.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/28/2012

This just keeps bugging me.

We should really watch the way we think of this, because phrases like this one, "We were allowed to dress our baby ourselves." are just really sad! The hospital isn't guardian of your baby. They don't have custody, they can't exceed your rights unless it's a life or death situation.

We should try to word it like this more, "I didn't allow the hospital to wash our son after he was born."

The baby is yours. Not the hospitals. The hospital works for you, they aren't in charge of you.

They're there to help you, and keep you well, but not to dictate stuff like how you care for your baby.

Cyndel - posted on 05/28/2012

I do it myself, I take the baby into the bath with me, hubby is there to help, and when I'm ready he takes the baby in a towel and I get dressed and come dress the baby. But honestly Vernix is wonderful for their skin and protects it, baby's don't really need a bath for a few days.

Alicia - posted on 05/28/2012

I didn't allow the hospital to wash our son after he was born to let the vernix be absorbed by the skin. The hospital was fine with my choice and just dried him very well with blankets. The vernix was soaked in around 2-3 days and its a GREAT moisturizer for the baby. No need to bathe after baby is born. Our hospital was WONDERFUL about our wishes to be with our baby 24-7. Even when he had to be in the NICU they didn't make us leave and were very cooperative.
Good Luck!

Jacob - posted on 05/28/2012

no.. now days they don't usually bath the baby for a day or two
the mucus over the babies skin helps keep the babies skin etc
they like to keep the baby skin to skin on the mother as long as possible the first hours
good luck with your little one ;-)

Kimberley - posted on 05/27/2012

We were allowed to dress our baby ourselves and give the first bath. It depends on the hospital. I would talk to your midwife and let her know you want to do it. Unless there is a problem with you or bubby then you should be allowed : ) These days, they usually arent bathed until a day or 2 after the birth

Katina - posted on 05/27/2012

Yes they have to check all part of them and make sure they are ok for the first 24 hrs by the next morning u will have ur baby no? About that

Shelby - posted on 05/27/2012

I had c-sections with the delivery of each of my children. They both got their first baths and dressed in the recovery room where I was.

Jennie - posted on 05/27/2012

I had my babies in England & I took them home unbathed, we wanted to do it as a family. I am now having this baby in the states and there is no way they are taking my baby away to wash him/her, that is my job & I would prefer to do it in my home where I know it is super bug free & our other children can join in the 1st baby bath! Keep ur little one with u & enjoy every precious newborn moment cos it can't b got back! X x x

Samantha - posted on 05/27/2012

I've had 3 kids in 2 hospitals - the first bathed him day 2 in my room (day 1 he was in icu) the other hospital let daddy wash them less than an hr after delivery in the delivery suite with me using a portable baby bath. Both hospitals had a nursery & could take baby if u needed a rest (your choice) I kept mine with me :-)

Grace - posted on 05/27/2012

I love doctors and nurses and even hospitals but the plain fact is there is no NO medical reson to wash the baby after birth in fact some research said you shouldn't. the hospital I had my two kids at respected the fact I didn't want my baby washed I did it my self later in the room with my hubby and I just washed their hair to get the goo out. Look it up on the net educate your self

Aunt Cece - posted on 05/27/2012

If there are no complications requiring instant attention in the NICU it seems like you can hold your baby the minute it's born. The dad can cut the cord, and the nurse can wipe the baby off while you hold her. They do need to put the eyedrops in to prevent infection, but I think most places would let you hold the baby for awhile. They do need to get baby's vitals and if you want footprints, etc, some places do all that right there in the birthing room. Our grandson was born, handed around to all who came into the room after he was weighed and measured..then we all left so my son and his wife could have time alone with him. We did not go into the delivery room until after my grandson was born, per their wishes..We were all on cloud 9 anyway..Our grandson was born at night, so about 9PM, the nurse gave him his first sponge bath..and we got to watch and take pictures..Now, they are having another baby in November, in a different city, so I have no idea what the birth plan will be there..I'd let your doctor know your wishes and birth plan before you go into labor...Good luck and have a happy baby!

Christine - posted on 05/27/2012

I would assume that it would be easier to wash the baby wherever they usually go to do it unless they had portable items. My daughter was left in the room with us for quite some time before they took her to wash. If it's the fact that you don't want the baby to be taken so soon, they can wait a short while for this to happen. Plus, this gives you that first few moments to nurse. It was really nice. I'm not sure if they have portable washing station or anything for you to watch...

Lucy - posted on 05/27/2012

Kale, I have had both experiences. With my first, they brought her to me for a few seconds after she was born to show her to me but then whisked her away because I was having issues with the epidural having gone too high and was paralyzed from the neck down for a while. With the second, I searched until I found a Dr. and hopsital that did 'birthing in' which meant the baby stays in the room with the mother after birth, and never leaves the mother. I could hold him right away because I refused any meds, epidurals or medical interference. I got up immediately after the birth, after I held hime and nursed him a bit, and took and shower and washed my hair. Oh, that experience is SO much better. More and more hospitals are doing it. That was at Texas Women's Hospital in Houston for me, but my daughter in law had our granddaughter at Grady Memoria in Atlanta, which is the main county hospital and they also had 'birthing in' and we were all there for the birth. I had the incredible honor and privilege of assisting. So much easier to bond when your little one is right next to your bed, even while you are delivering the afterbirth.
Yes, request birthing in and request that the baby not be taken anywhere else in the hospital. This also reduces the chance of your baby picking up an infection from some other location. I would personally insist on it. I don't care how clean they think they are, hospitals are places where really bad bacteria can be found just everywhere. You have a right (whether legal or not) to keep your little one under your watchful eye, from the very moment he/she is born. YOU are MOMMY, which in my book is a title that must be respected and obeyed. Use your authority. And go girl!

Tina - posted on 05/26/2012

My partner was with me when they prepped me for surgery he got cleaned up and covered up and was with me the whole time. Babies were checked over in the same room but they have the facilities for that in theatre. My first wasn't bathed at all in hospital staff were too busy but my second was bathed on the 3rd day in my room they have basins to use. By rights you should be in the room so they can show you how to bath baby properly and safely. Although it's not rocket science. It's a good idea to be shown the best way to do it. It make the whole bathing experience alot more relaxing and easy once you are home especially if you're a first time mum and a little scared. Obviously any concerns you have should be discussed with your doctor and at at your antenatal appoinments. Never assume what's going to happen or what hospital policy is always ask questions and look into your options.

Stifler's - posted on 05/26/2012

I had a caesar and they never took renae out of the room or separated us.

Pamela - posted on 05/26/2012

It depends on the hospital policy. If you have rooming in it may be possible.

I do feel that having home births lessens the time of separation because a mid-wife or family member does the washing of the baby and it can be done in the same room as the Mother when all is prepared before the birth.

My babies were born at home and I encourage others to experience this unless they have specific problems that require c-sections.

Ask your doctor. Doesn't hurt to ask, even if the answer is "No".

Jean - posted on 05/26/2012

I live in California. I have five children. All were vaginal deliveries. I think it is different if you have a c-section, being that is major surgeries, but the hospitals I delivered at, four different ones, all washed the baby in the room with me. As soon as I delivered each child and the uumbilical cord was cut, they wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid him/her on my chest. I was given the opportunity to breastfeed and spend about an hour with the baby. Then they would take him or her to a small cart in my room where the baby was sponge bathed. One of my kids had issues maintaining body temp so they put him under a heat lamp on the little washing table in my room, for a little whil, once an hour or so. He was fine about 10 hrs after delivery. Another one of my babiesbreastfed and fell asleep on me and I noticehe started turning kinda purple....he had only been in the birth canal for 5 minutes, rapid delivery.....and his body "forgot" he wasn't still in the womb. All they had to do was rush him over to the little washing table, unwrap him, rinse him, and give him 15 minutes of flailing arms and legs and heart wrenching crying, he never had another issue. None of my kids ever went to the nursery, and when the nurses insisted on borrowing each little miracle to do state mandated blood and hearing tests, I always insisted on accompaning the, usually while my partner slept (I personally have a huge adrenaline dump during delivery and even though all my babies but one were born between 10 pm and 2 am, I can't sleep for the first 24 hrs, and i go nuts at the hospital cause they are always telling me to lay down and rest......my rump gets sore......I wheel the little basinet down the hall......if it really worries you, ask the hospital what their policy is, and if you don't like their answer then check out different hospitals. :) in Cali I think its standard that baby stays in your room unless c-section, baby need emergency care, or u have a bossy nurse who wants to take care of a baby......

Leanne - posted on 05/26/2012

depends on where you are the first bath i have done in there nursary but i have only had girls but if you ask the resulte maybe differant

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/26/2012

Julie they don't have to take them away for any test. You can go with your baby or they can bring the test into your room.

Yeah I don't doubt you can get a dr who agrees with you on everything, but one in your area, who delivers at a hospital near you' who your insurance takes, not as likely. I couldn't find a dr I could trust so we opted for a homebirth with a midwife. Sometimes theres no one whofits you and you either have to give on some stuff or search for another option.

Julie - posted on 05/26/2012

In my hospital they keep the baby with you or your spouse. I had a c-section so they took them to our room while I was in recovery but it was very quick. And they will take them away for hearing tests or other tests.

Sherri - posted on 05/25/2012

If you have the right doctor, have a fantastic relationship with them. Almost all of this should be discussed before even going into labor. Once your doctor and you are on the same page no one should have a problem and not have their wishes not honored. Unless it is at risk to mom or the baby.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/25/2012

I said no to eye ointment and hep b because there's no reason he needed protection from those stds.
Same with refusing the std testing in pregnancy, I simply wasn't at risk of having it.

They do do things for ease of staff.
Yes some stuff is for the sake of the patient but some also is for comfort for the staff.
I don't hate hospitals. I just don't like how they take a healthy thing like pregnancy and turn it into a dangerous seeming scary time where women feel out of control and sometimes taken advantage of.
Like this topic. Of course you can refuse them bathing your baby. It's not their place to tell you what you can or can not do ith your baby.
Same goes with other things in hospitals. We have to work with the drs and speak openly and tell them our expectations and know we can trust them to not lie or lisle ad us or sugar coat it or make it out to be worse or use scare tactics.
There's a lot hospitals do right, but low risk births are one place I see them failing women and babies

Rachel - posted on 05/25/2012

my first 3 were in the nursery for bath but my last one they did it in my room while i got cleaned up.. All depends on the hospital.

Sherri - posted on 05/25/2012

Yes you can say no to eye ointment and Hep B. shot although honestly not sure why anyone would. They asked me if I wanted these things done it was never an automatic.

Although seriously I am willing to bet no matter what you say you can not have your partner with you during prep time for surgery and I honestly don't understand why you would risk the sterilization of the operating room rather than have him wait for 5mins till it was safe to allow him in. Also I don't care how much you demand it, in this situation they can still say no.

I also don't think you are making up them taking your son. They obviously were not trying to harm your son but do what they felt was best for him so they could have room to work on him and have the equipment in the area they move them too to if he needed intervention.

Also I have had 4 children and not once was I ever tested for STD's. The longest one in 1997 and the most recent obviously you know Bentley 3mo's ago.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/25/2012

Sherri its very ignorant of you to assume I have not researched this. I have. Extensively.
As I planned for my second birth I read books, online articles, documentaries, studies, etc all about hospitals and their policies.
There's sample birth plans that have a spot for (I don't want my partner seperated from me for any reason including a c sedtion) yes it is possible for him to be with you the entire time. Yes you have to demand it.
I'm not making that up about the continuous monitoring either. It's true.
And same with Eric's birth. It's not something I'm making up it really happened and they really could have done it at my bedside if they wished to.
The hospitals also claim you 'have' to be tested for stds or give eye ointment or hep b shot but these are all things you really can say no to.

Sherri - posted on 05/25/2012

Sarah most hospitals don't even do that anymore. The reason they used to do it was because they had the facilities located to give baths in the nursery. The majority of hospitals have now gotten rid of nurseries and the baby remains with the mom. They also used to just give the bath when they took them for their screenings and shots. However, most now try and keep the babies with the mom's unless absolutely necessary.

Sarah - posted on 05/25/2012

Sherri, you didn't answer my question about separating babies from their mothers. I can see your point about the need for a sterile environment for surgery, but that's a far removed situation than taking babies away for washing.

Sherri - posted on 05/25/2012

Believe what you want Sarah but that isn't the case.

Dad is allowed in the room after all the sheets are put up to protect the equipment and keep what needs to be sterile, sterile. The only place dad can be is by mom's head. It can be a hazard and he could risk the sterilization of the operating room. They can deny him access while she is getting prepped and no matter how much you bitch and moan is not going to change that.

Laura your really are just coming up with reasons to slam hospital policies without actually researching or questioning why they have those policies. Trust me it is not to inconvenience you or make things uncomfortable for you. Obviously you just don't like them and it simply is because they don't see things the way you do, And obviously it is because they don't do things they way you want them done. You seem like kind of a control freak.

Sarah - posted on 05/25/2012

How is taking a baby away from its mum for no good reason for the safety of the mum or baby?

I'm with Laura. Hospitals routinely do things for their own convenience rather than for the overall well-being of the patient.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/25/2012

The room isn't any less sterile if dad is in there. I mean he's in there anyways just a few minutes later. They have him wait because it would be a nuisance to work around him as he stands there.
There's LOTS of policies that are simply are there to make things more convenient for the staff. These policies don't do patients any food, they're just for staff comfort.
Like continuous monitoring. It's proven to be less safe then intermittent monitoring but it's less work for nurses to be able to see the monitor of x amount of moms at a time so this helps them use less staff.
Or like with my son, he needed deep auctioning after birth as he had inhaled meconium. They cut his cord and carried him to the warmer very fast hoping to suction him before he took a breathe. This deprived him of oxygen for a few seconds that could have been problematic!
They could have suctioned him at my bed as he was still attached to the cord, receiving oxygen through that, but this would have been awkward and cumbersome as the bed is low and I'd be in the way etc.
So he was without oxygen for a bit because it was easier for the staff that way.

Sherri - posted on 05/25/2012

They can actually deny dad in the prep room for a c-section because they need to keep things sterile.

Laura you seem to just have a soar thing about hospitals. Hospitals aren't in to just bullying their patients. They have policies and procedures for very specific reasons and trust me not one of those is to inconvenience or bully people. It is for the safety of their patients and in this case that means the mom and the baby.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/25/2012

"allowed to go with"
This conversation pisses me off!
It's YOUR BABY.
They can't deny you your child. It's not their choice! Their policy is NOT law and you can say NO
If they say, baby must have eye ointment, it's policy. You can say no I refuse, it's my baby.
If they say dad can't be with you while we prep you for a c section you can say no actually he will stay with me.
Hospitals bully moms and dads around so much it's not right.
I mean you don't even have to go to a hospital to birth if you don't want to so its not their place to be dictating what you can or can not do with your child.

Cassandra - posted on 05/25/2012

When my son was born he was cleaned in the room I was in and they came to my room to give him his first bath. I don't know if it's different in other hospitals since the one I was in didn't have a nursery and it's their policy to keep the child in the same room as the mother.

Crystal - posted on 05/25/2012

When I had my boys, they were cleaned off in the same room, but when it was time for a bath they took them to the nursery and I was aloud to attend and help. Like everyone has mentioned it really does depend on the hospital policies. Do your orientation at the hospital and ask as many questions that come to mind. Congrats to you and your soon to be bigger family and good luck to you in the future.

Caroline - posted on 05/25/2012

Request? Who's having the baby? You discuss with them that you would like your child to be washed, checked, etc within your sight. I have two sons(adults now) and even back then, they were not taken out of my sight. Even better, if your baby's dad is in the room, insist that he help with the washing, apgar, hat, etc. Better for him to bond immediately! Best of luck!

Christal - posted on 05/25/2012

I never asked but the hospital i gave birth at they did everything in the room. They didnt even have a nursery for moms who wanted a couple hours to rest. My daughter never left my sight except 1 time to get get screened for jaundace or shots (something like that.)

Theresa Matthews - posted on 05/24/2012

You absolutely do have that right. I have 3 boys and noway were they leaving my sight

Meg - posted on 05/24/2012

i had both of my kids at a birthing center and they never once take the baby away from you. You breastfeed right away and keep the baby with you the whole time that you are at the center. Maybe you could check out some options along those lines. Take care!

Danelle - posted on 05/24/2012

Probably depends on the hospital. You should make sure to take a tour of the hospital's birthing center, plenty early in case you should go into labor early, so you can ask questions like that and feel like you know a little bit of what to expect on the big day. Make a list of questions to take with you, you should have no trouble scheduling a tour. The hospital where both my children were born has a 'rooming in' policy to promote breastfeeding so unless the baby has a health concern that requires him to be in the nursery or NICU he remains with mom at all times. Unless they don't think mom is able to be up and around after delivery, or I think moms can ask for time alone if they want it, but standard is baby stays in the room with mom. With my first daughter, after we were moved to the women & children's ward, I will say that one of the nurses took the liberty of giving my daughter her first bath while I was in the restroom without asking me first. Bothered me that she didn't ask but honestly, I was exhausted. If that is something that is important to you, remember to tell the nurse who is helping you. When you are in the hospital having your baby, don't be afraid to ask for what you want. I had some wonderful nurses who helped make my experiences good ones. Good luck with your baby!

Amy DuMont - posted on 05/24/2012

A year ago last January my daughter had her baby girl by C-section. As soon as she was returned to her room the baby was brought in, too. I was not there so I don't know if they took the baby there right after birth or if they took her in when her mother was taken in. The babies stay with the mothers at all times unless there is some medical problems or concerns that may prevent it. The mothers can also request that the babies be taken for a short time if they want to get some rest. I agree with the others, though. Check with the hospital. They ask you to do a tour of the delivery facilities anyway. That would be a good time to ask your questions. You may want to write them down and take them with you so you don't forget any of them.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

Lol @ supervised. I mean it's HIS child. Why would the nurse be allowed to watch over his shoulder.
This is why I don't birth at hospitals anymore lol. They 'allow' you to bathe your own child or 'policy' insists on stuff or whatever.

Vickie - posted on 05/24/2012

Depends on the hospital ... and if they have everything they need in the room. I certainly would request it. I never let my baby outta my sight. I didn't have to. It was my first baby and they make you all paranoid with the super security in the natal unit. So I was almost scared to let him go anywhre without me or his father, I didn't trust anyone.

Alberta - posted on 05/24/2012

My 1st and 2nd baby they washed in the nursery. My 3rd baby (different hospital) was washed BY MY HUBBY ;) in my room. It was the only bath he gave any of our kids! The nurse stood there and supervised but he did it. That hospital you did "everything" in 1 room. Labor, delivery, recovery all in 1 place!!! that all depens on the hospital. Congratulations on your upcoming arrival!!

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

Yeah I guess I just figured if a company can do this I don't want to use them. But you're right, so far they've only had problems with the shampoo.
And I used to love lotion ing Eric as a baby but unfortunately he had a skin reaction to it.
My kids break out with everything it seems.

Sherri - posted on 05/24/2012

I don't use their baby shampoo. I use their baby wash two totally different products and not one that was part of this contraversy. Just because one item in their line is a problem doesn't mean every single thing is.

Also I don't lotion him because his skin is dry. I lotion him because he loves the rub down and also it makes him smell soooo good. I also don't ever take my babies in the shower I give them baths, my babies don't like water in their faces.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01... Anything that is said to cause cancer is a no no in my mind. My mom died of cancer when I was 15, two grandparents died of cancer, one is living with cancer.....

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

Wow, well Fierna wasn't bathed at all for two weeks and then it was a wet rag on her top half.
Then another two weeks til I brought her in the shower with me and washed her off with water only.
She got a water only shower/bath every week or two for her first year. Still haven't used any soap or shampoo or lotion on her. With the exception of baby wipes on her :-)
Idk. She doesn't stink, her skin is gorgeous, and it's all good!
I think soap dries them out so you need lotion. Don't do soap, don't need lotion.
Don't strip the oils and the body regulates itself better.
I like the natural stuff. I think our bodies were made fairly self sufficient and modern stuff just mucks it up

Sherri - posted on 05/24/2012

Yup have and I am perfectly fine with them and use them a few times a week on my newborn and did on the other 3 as well. I also lotion him up after every bath with Johnson's baby lotion and on days that I don't bath him I use Johnson's baby cologne.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

No. No I don't use soap on babies.

The chemicals in Johnson's are really worrisome. Do a google search, you will find some info.