My daughter is 9 and she really wants to be in the delivery room. I have mixed feelings about this, I dont know if she could handle it, but at the same time I would like her there with me. Do the hospitals let kids in the delivery room???
2006-11-15 07:28:54 · 20 answers · asked by PRETTYGIRL 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Honestly, it just depends on your daughter. Some 9 year olds do great, and others are completely upset by the whole experience. It's one thing to see a baby born, but it's a whole different story to see your mom in horrible pain. Talk to your daughter about this, and make sure she understands that this pain is normal and will go away. Most children honestly believe their mother is dying, and it scares them.
And talk to your doctor about it first too. Some doctors absolutely will not allow it, and some don't care at all. Whatever you decide, you should have a back up person available to sit with her in the waiting room, if she gets upset. and take some movies and things for her to do. Kids tend to get really bored during the labor, and are not prepared for how long it really takes to have a baby.
and keep in mind, with the labor and the baby, scary things can happen, and happen quickly. babies are born blue and nasty, and sometimes they need some resuscitative measures. Sometimes c-sections need to happen quickly. Make sure your daughter understands all these possibilities.
2006-11-15 07:40:00 · answer #1 · answered by trivial 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My Labor and delivery would only allow 5 people in our room and at delivery time I had my whole family around me the hospital was really nice and I had about 7 people in my room at the time of my sons birth.
I would think that if she was well behaved and wasnt loud they would allow her. At my Hospital it was 2 children allowed with an adult.
I think that letting your daughter know how kids come into the world hand how preious it is to bring a child into the world would both educate her like no school could ever educate her and in the future she will look back and think do I really want to get pregnant at 16 and go through the delivery and takeing care of a baby.
I was not very young when I had my son, but I think that if I was in the delivery room and around the baby 24/7 afterwards I would have thought about my actions differntly. my mom never talked to me about babies or sex and I figured it out all on my own and from school, (not a good idea lol) If she is ready to see and learn I would say go for it, it isnt going to hurt her she gets to see her sibling being born and it might create a better bond between the two, or if she gets grossed out maybe not lol.
I think that if you can handle her in the room at delivery time and during labor she will be ok. Also if you do let her in and so does the hospital you have to let her know that if there is any complications ( not that there will be God Forbid) that she wont be able to be around, just so that her hopes arent crushed and she isnt pissed off while you are trying to recover and have to deal with her mopeing about.
2006-11-15 08:38:28 · answer #2 · answered by fleur_loser 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most hospitals will allow kids in the delivery rooms as long as the child is mature enough to handle it. I think they may have to have you and/or your husband sign a waiver. Are YOU comfortable with it, though? That is really important in this. Also, try to find a copy of a video of a woman giving birth. That way, she will know what to expect and can make an informed decision as to whether or not she can handle seeing it live. (You can contact your local high school for a copy of such a video, most likely.)
2006-11-15 07:33:24 · answer #3 · answered by Esma 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure about the hospital, but I think that being in the delivery room at that age and seeing the mom in so much pain could be traumaizing for a child. My 8 year old cousin was even traumatized by seeing her mom in a wheelchair right after delivery ...
I think you should have a grandparent with her in the hospital and let her come in as soon as the baby is born.
GOOD LUCK
2006-11-15 07:33:21 · answer #4 · answered by Tina R 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You know your daughter best, and if you think that she is mature enough, then I see no reason why she can't be a part of such a beautiful time in your lives. You could let her know that at any time she feels uncomfortable or queasy that you totally understand if she'd like to step out of the room and come back in if she feels up to it. Childbirth is no longer in the dark ages where even husbands were banned from the delivery room and is quite often becoming a family affair. Our hospital is opening a brand new Family Birthing Centre, and each room is like a Hotel Suite. You get to stay in the same room for your Labour, Delivery (as long as everything is going well and you don't need to be in a Delivery/Caesarean Room), and Recuperation. (Instead of being moved from Labour Room to Delivery Room to Recovery Room to Hospital Room) And the Baby gets to stay with you instead of going to a Nursey (which they still have too though, to give Mom's a little break and get some sleep if they need it.) Complete with sofas that pull out for Dad's to sleep over at night on, and whirlpool tubs to labour in, they also have little TV's for siblings to watch and mini refrigerators to keep snacks on hand. Many more hospitals are taking this more family friendly approach to Childbirth, which I think is wonderful. For some who may be "grossed out" with the whole visual of a baby being born, there's nothing wrong with them not wanting to see it and they don't have to go in if they don't want to. But for expectant Moms who want to share their wonderful Birth day with their children and family and friends, it certainly is nice to see the medical community moving towards creating more family-friendly environments for their patients' hospital stay. My oldest son wanted to come in when we were having our 3rd son and we, nor the doctor had no problem with it, and he was going to sit up by my head, so it's not like he was going to get an extreme close-up or anything, lol. But then I had some complications so he had to leave the room. He was disappointed, but understood, and missed number 4's as he was born in the wee hours of the morning. Kids nowadays know more about babies and childbirth then past generations, and I think it's nice that your daughter wants to be there when her new little brother or sister comes into the world. You also might let her check out some episodes of TLC's "A Baby Story" with you, so she can get some idea of what it will be like. Congratulations to your family and have a great Birth day!!!!
2006-11-15 10:59:21 · answer #5 · answered by Serenity 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I doubt very much they would let a child in the delivery room. What if there are complications? Do you want to freak her out like that? What if they have to do an emergency ceasarian, she wouldnt be allowed in for that, and being pushed out of the room because of an urgent emergency is not going to impress good things upon your little girl. Plus my boyfriend almost passed out when I gave birth to our daughter, he was holding onto me for support when I was trying to push her out. So I cant imagine what its going to do for your little girl. Plus she might ask a lot of questions and need to be supported. It will be to hard to support her while doing this.
2006-11-16 10:19:09 · answer #6 · answered by jennyve25 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say yes... my brother was 10 and he wanted to be in there with me- while everything was going well.... now when my epidural stopped working, and I was crying very hard, my dad took him out of the room. They only allowed 2-3 ppl in at a time. Also, whenever they would check me, both my dad and my brother would leave the room. My husband and Mom were there the entire time though.
2006-11-15 07:40:07 · answer #7 · answered by m930 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your hospital! Ours would but we choose not to let our 7 year old daughter in and that was a good thing because the delivery got a little scary (10 lbs 2oz and got stuck)
I am sure yours will go well, good luck
2006-11-15 07:32:20 · answer #8 · answered by me4tennessee 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most hospitals will allow anyone you choose. If you think she can handle it then let her, after all someday she will be an adult and probably have kids. She might as well know what its like. Hey maybe she will even decide that sex should wait till marriage.;)
2006-11-15 10:16:19 · answer #9 · answered by Chelle's Belle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure- let be in there and you'll never get a grand kid from her!!! When I was that age I saw a woman on an educational program have a baby and I was traumatized and even married a man that had a vasectomy!
We eventually had the vasectomy reversed and I had a baby but I was 30 years old by that time.
Seriously- NO! Keep her out.
2006-11-15 08:07:36 · answer #10 · answered by Alison 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋