~If I Had Known~
By Jennifer
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
Valdosta, Georgia
February 12, 2017 8:35am CST
I am exhausted and I am so ready to go home. Josiah is eating better and we are able to go home today. 
The only bad thing about this experience is the fact that they don't take the baby to nursery for mom's to get rest after labor. 
I have never been through that before. I prefer the baby go to nursery in the hospital at night because it's the last couple nights where I will actually get to sleep!! 
If I knew about this before having him here-I would have found another hospital. Rest is super important after going through so much.
They think it will help with bonding-being extremely exhausted and miserable is good for bonding with baby apparently?? 
Did I miss something? 
It should be up to the mother if they want the baby the whole time or not. It wasn't like this last year with Julian...
So ready to get home!
The only bad thing about this experience is the fact that they don't take the baby to nursery for mom's to get rest after labor. I have never been through that before. I prefer the baby go to nursery in the hospital at night because it's the last couple nights where I will actually get to sleep!!
If I knew about this before having him here-I would have found another hospital. Rest is super important after going through so much.
They think it will help with bonding-being extremely exhausted and miserable is good for bonding with baby apparently?? Did I miss something? It should be up to the mother if they want the baby the whole time or not. It wasn't like this last year with Julian...
So ready to get home!30 people like this
34 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@LadyDuck That's why they have bracelets that identify them and parents have matching ones. I think it should at least be the mother's choice in the matter-but I think there should be an option for it. This is stupid the way it is now... I am exhausted!!
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (458026)
• Switzerland
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies I agree and I remember that I wrote about the bracelet when a user here pretended that every day there are dozen of children exchanged. May be in some third world countries, not in the United States and Europe.
3 people like this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies They have ankle bracelets on the babies here that set an alarm if the baby gets close to the doors leaving the birthing center.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
12 Feb 17
They started doing that at the hospital here quite some time ago. I knew they did it when my grand daughter was born 9 years ago. I never really understood it. I always thouget it was more important for the mothers to get their rest while they can after going through labour. They need to get rested up so they can take care of the little one when they get home.
I am glad you and baby are headed home today. 
5 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
12 Feb 17
For the first few days the baby doesn't do much but sleep anyway, so plenty of time for mom to rest.. it's not until a few days later that the kid forgets what sleep is!
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@Happy2beme When I had Julian last year things were the same as they always were so I was quite shocked. And I'm exhausted!! Yeah I think so too. Our bodies just went through a LOT and we need some rest!
Thank you I can't wait to get home.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies I can imagine you would be exhausted. I hope you can get some rest when you get home. Hopefully little Josiah will be a good baby and let you get some sleep.
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
12 Feb 17
Gosh how times change. When I had my son 39 years ago this year, they kept new mothers in hospital for five days and the babies were in the nursery almost all of the time except for feeding. I rested and I was so glad of that.
Don't gpo wearing yourself out when you get home. Will you have any help?
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@mysdianait Thank God my husband was able to stay home more than I thought he was going to be able to.
1 person likes this
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
12 Feb 17
I agree!! The times have definitely changed!! The mom and baby stayed overnight to make sure things would be alright with both mom and baby. The baby would be in the nursery at night though. I think it should be mandatory, whether you're a new mom or not, to be kept overnight and baby in nursery.
Hope you get rested up and don't over do it!! Btw, congratulations!!
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
16 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies Oh gosh yes! Ho ever would you have managed all by yourself doesn't bear thinking about!
@Juliaacv (48420)
• Canada
12 Feb 17
They started that rooming-in business when I had our second child 26 years ago.
She wasn't able to room in because she was in the NICU in an incubator, but I heard the cries from other babies on the maternity floor.
I don't think that it lends itself to the best set up for the mother going home recuperated and ready to put her best foot forward, she's too tired and still healing. 
I know that what sleep you do get at home will probably be more restful, and that will make some difference.
I know that what sleep you do get at home will probably be more restful, and that will make some difference.2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@Juliaacv They didn't start it here until this year. Julian went to the nursery at night last year when I had him. This is all new and it should be an option for the mother. It should be the mothers choice I think. Yeah I can't be the best mother when I am truly exhausted the way I am... It's stupid the way their doing things now. Thank God I am DONE having babies!!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48420)
• Canada
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies I totally agree it should be the mother's choice. When I had our son I had a great rapport with my doctor, and he actually got me 2 more days in the hospital to mend and rest before I went home. I really milked that one. When I had our daughter I couldn't get out of there quick enough, as soon as she was out of the incubator and had the approval to go home we were dressed and standing at the elevators, when a nurse came along and asked me to return to my room. I didn't know why, but I had a C-section with her, and they use inside stitches but they leave a knot on the outside, and she had to cut it. I laid on the bed and lifted my coat up and lowered my pants just enough and quick as could be we left.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@marlina Nope not anymore. =(
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@marlina Yeah I am truly exhausted and I need some sleep! This is stupid to me.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies They don't even ask if that is what you prefer?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
12 Feb 17
My daughter in law slept with her daughter in the room and held her most of the time. 22 months later, she gave birth in a pool of water in her living room with the help of my son and a midwife. Did the same bonding. True, she was exhausted, but the kids turned out super terrific. Happy to hear you can both go home today!
4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@DianneN I feel like twenty something years with your babies is plenty of time to bond with them. I need my rest to be a good mother for my children...
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@DianneN Since we can't hire a nanny it's just me doing it all. And I am tired. I am waiting to be discharged from the hospital so I cant sleep if I wanted to...
2 people like this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies She was lucky to be able to have a nanny and slept when the kids slept. We all need our rest. I would be asleep rather than myLotting right now. 
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
13 Feb 17
I know that in some hospitals rooming-in is optional. The mother gets to choose if the baby sleeps with her while they are both in the hospital or if the baby sleeps in the nursery. I guess, different hospitals have different policies.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@allen0187 Yeah to me that's how it should be. It should be the mom's choice-not the hospital's.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215405)
• Chile
12 Feb 17
So sorry! Did your husband help with the baby´s needs?
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@marguicha My husband hasn't been able to be here because we don't have a babysitter or family to help!
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@marguicha Nope, 9 hours away.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
12 Feb 17
Hardly ideal for you to be able to get close and bond. If you are so tired like I imagine you must be. Anyway so glad he is eating now and you will find ways of resting when you are back home.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies
I wanted to feed my youngest myself at least the first bit you know the most important part of your milk and they took him off me and he spent all night in the Nursery giving them all what he had got.
I managed to bond other ways though. You will do it I know you will you are a great Mom.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 Yeah I think it's better and easier to bond when the mother is feeling her best. When she isn't clearly bonding is going to be harder....at least for me.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81540)
• Onaway, Michigan
12 Feb 17
Wow that sucks I can see why you want to go home that is crazy.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81540)
• Onaway, Michigan
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies I wouldn't either. I hope you both go home today and are able to get some rest.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
13 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies Here too the babies are in the same room with the mothers.But usually there is somebody with the mother (a sister,mother,some other close relative or a nanny)to help out.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@silvermist I think it should definitely be the mom's choice. Not everyone has help.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
16 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies That is true. You should have had that option.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@JudyEv I agree! It should be the mother's choice. They said most mom's prefer it this way-not me though!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies With four at home you'd just be wanting a really good rest before going home to face the troops. :)
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Feb 17
I hear that's how they do it now. I hope you can get some rest.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@fishtiger58 It was weird to me because I had Julian a year ago and it wasn't like that.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@fishtiger58 No it was a different one but they said they just started this at that hospital 6 months ago. Go figure. Lol.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
14 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies Same hospital??
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47050)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
12 Feb 17
When my kids were born, all newborns stayed with the moms. If they had to go to the nurses' station to get vitamin shots or something, one of the parents had to go. They never left our sight. I was happy about it, personally. It might be strange, if you're not used to it, but it meant that you were always with them, and there was less confusion where the baby went.
I'm glad that you get to go home. I was always happy to leave.
@dodo19 (47050)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
12 Feb 17
@LovingMyBabies Yeah, I can certainly understand that. You definitely need your sleep. I do hope that you're able to rest up.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@dodo19 I am always with my kids 24/7 when we get home from the hospital and for the rest of their lives. Right now I need my rest! I need sleep to be able to be a good mom. I am only thinking about rest right now...
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Feb 17
@paigea Yes! It should be up to the mom-not the hospital.
1 person likes this
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
13 Feb 17
More and more hospitals are having baby stay with mom unless they need the nursery for health reasons. My eldest only left my room for 10 minutes to have the hearing screening. My youngest 2 were born at home, so they were with me constantly.
While I understand wanting the rest, there are many benefits to having baby in your room all the time. Bonding being the biggest one, and for first time moms, they learn to take care of baby on their own while still having professionals nearby.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@Morethanamom I feel it should be the mother's choice. He is my 5th so I know very well how to take care of him. For first time mom's it could be mandatory then but not for everyone.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
13 Feb 17
I hope you get some rest, I know you need it badly.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@andriaperry Thank God I am feeling better now. =)
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Feb 17
@ms1864 Yeah I was beyond my limit at that point. My husband was allowed to be there but we have 4 children who he had to take care of at home while i was in the hospital.
1 person likes this
