Ok, I know I said I was going to study but this is breaking news! Below is the updated H1N1 Flu Visitation policy from a local hospital group. Ok, so they don't really say birth is safer at home but that is certainly one way of interpreting their policy. I should note that mom and baby should NOT be separated if mom has H1N1. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not encourage mom and baby separation but rather maintaining general sanitary precautions (http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/aapnews.20091012-1v1). And for great food for thought on midwifery and the swine flu, read this, http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/preg_H1N1fluvirus.asp.
Updated H1N1 Flu Visitation
Limiting Visitors Protects You and Your Baby
We continue to take every precaution to prevent flu exposure while you are in the hospital.
The 2009 H1N1 pandemic continues to evolve. The rates of illness continue to rise rapidly within many communities across the nation.
Beginning Saturday, November 7, 2009, due to President Obama’s recent declaration of a state of national emergency, we are taking additional steps to facilitate our response to protect patients, visitors and staff.
Visitor policy is more restrictive during flu season:
o All visitors will be screened for flu-like symptoms
o The number of visitors will be limited to 1 adult per hospital stay. The designated visitor may be a spouse, significant other, family member, doula, or other visitor, but only one, and the visitor must be consistent (no rotating visitors).All others should remain at home.
o Children (Including siblings) may not come to the hospital.
Your home is the safest place for you and your newborn to avoid potential exposure to H1N1 or any illness. We are working closely with your doctor to ensure your hospital stay is no longer than absolutely necessary.
If you are admitted with suspected H1N1 – after delivery, you may be separated from your infant to protect the infant from exposure.
Consistent with our current practice, we will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines and update our policy regularly. You may check the website for the most recent updates.
Love it!
Except the part about not letting the baby be with mama after birth if she's suspected to have H1N1. It seems like her antibodies, presence, breastmilk, and nurturing would be more helpful than a potential *suspected* (but not even known) possibility of H1N1.
Posted by: Kathy | October 31, 2009 at 06:59 AM
Good point Kathy! I just posted a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics which does not recommend separation. Thanks!
Posted by: Kat | October 31, 2009 at 08:11 AM