Some things need to change

During one of the rare conversations I had with my hubby the other day, the subject of how hospitals handle newborn babies came up.

Usually, unless we have friends in the medical fraternity, we seldom know about what happens to the babies right after they are born. We know they are taken to the nursery where the nurses clean them up, run some tests, give them a few shots etc but we really know for sure what really happens behind the scenes, so to speak.

When Stephanie was warded due to a lung infection, I was in the nursery a lot and I got the opportunity to observe what happens to newborns after they are taken from the labour room. Most newborns cry incessantly, which is understandable considering all that is done to him/her so shortly after being born. But what I could not comprehend is the fact that babies are left naked and alone to cry after everything is done.

It broke my heart to see the helpless babe struggling and crying under the blue light so I asked the staff nurse, "is the baby ill, why did you put her under the blue light?" She was surprised that I thought the baby was ill and said, oh, there's nothing wrong with the baby, she's getting "warmed up" under the light."

It then occured to me that this is standard procedure and that my babies must have all gone through the same harrowing experience minutes after they were born! I can't help but wonder who was the genius who thought that it is better to warm a naked baby under the light than in the comforting arms of her mother?? It is so unnecessary for the baby to be alone and obviously very afraid. I know that some would argue that the new mothers would need their rest, granted but at least the mothers should be given a choice. Even if the mother is too unwell to comfort the baby, I'm sure the babies' fathers or grandmothers would be more than happy to play the role, till the baby is assured and has calmed down.

It is no wonder that the babies are seen to be sleeping quietly when they are finally wheeled to the new parents, because they have exhausted themselves with all the crying!

I'm glad that for all my babies I have chosen to breastfeed totally because generally, the nurses will hand the baby to you within the hour of the birth to let the baby suckle and the milk flowing. So what they do is only a preliminary cleaning and tests and the baby is put in your comforting arms. I suspect that there's also less chance for the baby to cry for long periods.

No wonder home births are now gaining popularity in the west because truly, whatever that happens in the hospital, all the procedures are done for the benefit and conveniece of the hospital, not the patient.

Some things have to change, seriously.