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Hospital fears
Lately I've been getting a bit nervous about the birth. That sounds so silly as I'm only 22+2!
What I'm most nervous about is the hospital. I've heard some awful stories about how pushy the midwives are and I haven't really decided whether I want to breastfeed or not, though I'll probably try it. I've been speaking to my oh's aunt and she says if you don't breastfeed or if you use any products like baby wipes instead of cotton wool and water they will keep you in longer cos they think you can't look after a baby. I'm young as well and I've heard some horror stories about how hospital staff treat young mums really badly.
Since I've been pregnant, I'm so funny about personal space and I hate the thought of people touching me and telling me what to do. What's worse is my oh knows this and he's the same, if anyone tries to patronise me or anything he will go mad and I'm scared we'd be kept in hospital longer because of that.
Has anyone else worried about this? I dunno...I'm being silly...but I just want me and oh to do it our way. I think a home birth would make me feel more relaxed but I can't see myself not having pain relief apart from gas and air! lol!
What I'm most nervous about is the hospital. I've heard some awful stories about how pushy the midwives are and I haven't really decided whether I want to breastfeed or not, though I'll probably try it. I've been speaking to my oh's aunt and she says if you don't breastfeed or if you use any products like baby wipes instead of cotton wool and water they will keep you in longer cos they think you can't look after a baby. I'm young as well and I've heard some horror stories about how hospital staff treat young mums really badly.
Since I've been pregnant, I'm so funny about personal space and I hate the thought of people touching me and telling me what to do. What's worse is my oh knows this and he's the same, if anyone tries to patronise me or anything he will go mad and I'm scared we'd be kept in hospital longer because of that.
Has anyone else worried about this? I dunno...I'm being silly...but I just want me and oh to do it our way. I think a home birth would make me feel more relaxed but I can't see myself not having pain relief apart from gas and air! lol!
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Replies
I'm 39+5 with my first and live abroad so can't give you much advice about the hospital but what I can tell you is that you will be so uncomfortable by the end you will just want the baby out! That's how I am feeling now and to be honest although I know it is probably going to hurt like hell I just want to meet my lo now and get it over and done with.
From friends I have spoken to in the UK about their births there is a big variation on how they have been treated from hospital to hospital, but I have never heard of anyone being kept in for using baby wipes or not breast feeding!
Main thing is they want to make sure you are the baby are ok, is your lo feeding ok etc before you go home but they seem to let people go home within hours in the UK.
Over here (Norway) you are encouraged to stay in for a few days at least so they can show you how to change and bath your baby, breast or bottle feed and are as rested as possible before you get home for all the sleepless nights!
By the way though you don't need to use any products on a newborn other than cotton wool balls and water as they don't really get dirty (other than the nappy end!), and it can aggrevate their delicate skin. Get a few books and read up so you know your stuff and can make your own decisions, also SMA do a great free DVD for first time mums going through all the newborn know how.
Try not to worry about it and enjoy this part of your pregnancy as it all goes very quickly!
Liz xx
i got a chart i had to fill in for the amount of milk my daughter drank at each feed, so they could see how much she was having which is understandable but they didnt watch over me or anything...if i had a problem i asked. they showed me the basics like how to bath and best way to feed/wind etc but after that i was left to it. i dont think you will have a prob with them crowding you etc (unless they are overstaffed which if its nhs i think will be opposite). i dont think they can keep you in for those reasons, but i would think it would be responsible for them to make sure you are confident in what you are doing before you go home, but only for the good of yourself and the baby.hope that helps x
I've even been managing to breastfeed in front of my step children, the son just totally ignores us, although the daughter tries to sneak a look but at 11yrs old she's just had the "talk" at school and is curious!!
Good luck
Obi
Good luck & try not to worry too much
Hilary x