Auckland Hospital

I am going 4 weeks early because I am high risk and bubs will be born by an  elective c-section and may end up in NICU.  I have a private LMC and I was wondering are husbands allowed to stay for the first 24-48 hours after birth and how much is it?

 

I don't think they're allowed to stay - well I had one night in Auck Hospital after my boy was born, and DH couldn't stay. He was *supposed* to be out by like 9pm or something I think? Or maybe even 8? But he ended up staying til about 10.30pm, the nurse/mw (I don't know what exactly she was) was really really lovely and didn't say anything.

I believe that it is every patients right to have a support person present, regardless of visting hours.

Check out #8 in this list - http://www.adhb.govt.nz/cetu/imgs/legislation&ethics.htm so I dont think that they can actually make your DH leave. Obviously they can make it uncomfortable for you, but your DH can always sleep in the lazy boy chair that is normally in each room.

Also - if you bubs is in NICU they are likely to be alot more accomodating. They do have some overnight rooms in NICU, but am not sure if they are "daddy friendly" as well.  I will ask my brother as they were in NICU for about 4 weeks with my nephew (who was born at 32 wks / 800gms)

 

I gave birth at Akl Hospital & had both my babies early - Gina was 4 weeks early & Emma was 9 weeks early.
Gina never had to go to NICU and stayed with me the whole time - we had a room of our own as she needed to be under the lights. DH spent a lot of time with us and was never told to leave, he would often stay past 10-11pm but never stayed the night. I imagine he could have.
Emma had to stay at NICU for 4 weeks and I actually discarged myself early from hospital as I found there wasn't much for me to do and I hated not being able to touch or cuddle her There are family rooms at NICU, we got to stay in one for 2 days before Emma was discharged.
And it's all free

kiwigal, i think if you manage to get a private room there should be no problem. If you happen to come across a nurse in NICU called Suzy Just, tell her you know me & see if she can pull any strings for you.

Chontelle. Chonny short for Chontelle. lol.

I'm sure they should have no problem with your DH staying then if it a private booking & i'm sure you will be more likely to get a private room. Why not just talk to your OB and see what s/he says....they may be able to advise you on this

good idea. it's the best thing to put your mind at ease i think

I wanted DH to stay the night, but they absolutely refused to let him. Something about being a "women's ward" not a general ward. So men were not allowed to stay. Not even in private rooms. Thank god we transferred to birthcare for the subsequent 2 nights, cause the first night was the worst night of my life! Oliver wouldn't feed, therefore he wouldn't sleep, just cried all the time. I hadn't slept for about 36 hours and was exhausted. And the midwives were really slow to respond to me needing some assistance, and I hardly ever called them...

Yep, DP was not allowed to stay either. Although they were really great letting visitors come at any time, even as late as 9.30pm. They opened the doors up especially.

I found it hard though, having had an emergency c-section after 38 hours of labour. I was so exhausted, and unable to move for the first couple of days, and one night Joshua was choking (something to do with the mucus that normally gets pushed out of their lungs in a natural birth but has to be expelled afterwards when a c-section is done) and I was ringing the bell and NO ONE CAME for at least 15 minutes He was right beside me in the bassinette, but I couldn't move to reach him. I was screaming and screaming for someone to come and when someone finally did she said "well you should have rung the emergency bell". Which was on the wall. On the other side of the room!!! If I couldn't move half a metre how was I to be expected to get out of bed, walk across the room, and push the buzzer???? Oh, and I was in the room right outside the nurses station