This post on Empowering Birth blog on the H1N1 policy at a local was quite upsetting.
First, they (the hospital) do admit that “Your home is the safest place for you and your newborn to avoid potential exposure to H1N1 or any illness.” SO TRUE! But the policy continues by saying,
“If you are admitted with suspected H1N1 – after delivery, you may be separated from your infant to protect the infant from exposure.” Ummmmm… here again is a sterling illustration of the idiocy of some (ok, MOST) hospital policies. Good grief.
Neither the CDC nor the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend separation of the infant from her mother for H1N1 or any other seasonal flu. This is REALLY disturbing. Please, if you know of a mother giving birth in the hospital during the flu season, remind her of all the wonderful benefits of keeping her baby skin to skin during those first few hours/days.
