midwives/pregnancy?

Question

When i was pregnant with my daughter a few years ago,,you had to stay in with your first baby for 10 days,now they want you out in 6 hours-my daughter is pregnant and they now say from the first of April you have to take everything in yourself-nothing is provided at all.milk-bottles-anything at all to do with the baby.My daughter asked if breast feeding didnt work then what would you do-the reply was you will have to wait for someone to bring it in-what are your views on this

Answer 1

Times change, you may not agree with how it is now but I for one am grateful you don't have to stay in, I will happily go home after six hours as long as the doctors give my baby and I the all clear to do so, and the six hour thing is a choice anyway, you don't have to leave after six hours, you can stay a few days if you like, but if the baby and mother are well then isn't it better to free up a bed for a mother and baby who may not be so well?
I think it's horrible to have endure those first few days all alone in a hospital, at least at home I will have the support of my husband and family, because to be honest the midwives are too busy to give any real help after the baby is born, you are just expected to get on with it, no matter how tired you are or traumatic your birth was.

We do have to take everything in because the NHS can no longer afford to provide newborn/new mother essentials,(don't get me started on who is to blame there!) I don't see why you can't just pack a few bottles and ready milk along with everything else just in case?

It might sound strange but a new born baby doesn't 'need' to be fed straight away, the reason the baby is usually put straight to the breast is to establish the technique of breast feeding early on and to check that they have developed their sucking reflex. They don't actually require food immediately because they have reserves within their body to sustain them.
So if you had to take in bottles for her later it shouldn't be a problem but just pack them anyway, it's easier!

Answer 2

If the birth was straightforward and the baby has been checked over, then the safest place for the mother and baby is at home, away from all the superbugs that circulate in hospitals.
Presumably your daughter is going to buy some bottles and formula in case breastfeeding doesn't work out anyway, so I don't see that taking them to the hospital makes much difference. From 1st April women are entitled to an extra 3 months paid maternity leave. That extra money has to come from somewhere, and I guess the policy makers figured that most women would rather spend a few pounds on bottles and formula to take to the hospital and have an extra 3 months with their baby.

Answer 3

They will have spare stuff just incase im sure, but to be truthful people gave birth in caves in the past, birth is a natural process not an illness and should be treated as such.
I'm pregnant at the min and the only reason i am even going in hospital is because its my first and there maybe unforseen complications. I will be in the birth centre and will be discharged after 6 hours if all goes to plan
If its not broke dont fix it, i would rather someone who needs medical attention have it instead of me being unnecesserly proded poked and checked for days on end for no reason.
I dont like hospitals too much and know the best thing for me will be privacy and my own surroundings.

Answer 4

Really?

I'm due May 11th and I had no idea I have to bring milk and bottles into hospital with me, I would have gone there with nothing. How do I know if breastfeeding will work for me and my baby, I guess I should pack some pre-made carton milk.

If the government have done this because they've given the OK for 3 extra months maternity leave then it's stupid, the maternity pay is only £108 a week and not everyone can live off that and will have to go back to work sooner anyway.

I know the labour party is in financial difficulty but how much more can they do, how much extra can we pay out for and why do we continue to pay for there mistakes?

Answer 5

I wasn't aware of the bottle issue. I'm sure that if breast feeding didn't work they would have some bottles as reserve. They won't let the baby starve. If she is still worried she could buy a couple of bottles (the baby will need these for water in a few months), sterilise them by boiling and buy one of those small cartons of milk.

There is enough to worry about when you are having a baby the midwives have just placed unnecessary stress on your daughter!

Answer 6

In the UK the hospitals provide the bottles but not the formula - if your daughter wants to try and breastfeed but is worried that she wont be able to - take a few small cartons of ready made milk in her carry all and then she will be prepared - they're not very expensive, and at least it will put her mind at ease.
Hospitals are trying to make cut backs - why stay in hospital if there is no need to, its just using up a bed and tax payers money.
I agree - in and out is the best policy - especially if its not your 1st child. As long as you know what your doing of course!!

Answer 7

bloody hell! where i am they keep u in 3 days minimum, regardless of how it went if it's ur 1st, and i've not been told they don't provide bottles etc. i've already been told i'm in for 6 days due to a scar on my stomach that may need attention after a natural birth. personally not minding, extra bed rest for me! : )
My midwife is useless, swear she's not actually meant 2 b there. anywayz, maybe your daughters is like this? i'd suggest she goes to the maternity ward at the hospital and asks the nurses there.
but if this is the case n not JUST a useless midwife i think its disgusting! we women have enough to think about while we're in the hospital without having to worry if there's enuf formula left, or nappies, or if the bottles are clean etc. if i find thats the case i'll be sending a snotty letter/email to the head of the NHS and the **** that decided this was a great idea, and i suggest all women, whether expecting or have had children already, follow suit.

Answer 8

I think this is a cost thing and many people were taking liberties. You take everything in your hospital bag any way,, nappies, sanitary products, nipple pads, baby wipes, anti-bacterial wipes - for hygiene, babies outfits.
As for milk despite intending to breast feed, your daughter could choose a brand she would prefer to use, if finds it difficult to self feed. There probabaly will still have milk if required as I think companies give it free to hospital so that you start using there particular brand. Plus I think it's another way of promoting breast is best.

Answer 9

6 hours?? Are you giving birth or going through the drive thru?? I have never heard of this or the bottle thing. I work at a hospital and I go to a midwife. Here in Ohio, in a normal delivery, you stay for atleast 24 hrs and they give you supplies to use for the baby while there

Answer 10

In our hospital here you stay for 2-3 days after giving birth and they provide everything... heck, you even get a carseat if you don't have one to take the baby home in. I think she needs to check out another hospital to have her baby at.