Son of a....../Edit to add a little something

If I were you I would have the baby in the hospital and when she gets a clean bill of health leave. I think that some leverage needs to be applied to that rule. Children who are saying goodbye to grandma for the last time I am sure are allowed in the hospital. With that said, I have broken many a hospital rule when my FIL was in and out of the hospital. I don't care what people think about that either. Since my husband is a nurse, I know that he is going to spread germs from patient to patient no matter how many times he washes his hands.

As for a sitter, What I would do if I were you is call some daycare centers and see if any of the owners would be willing to come at a moments notice if it is after their hours. Either that or have a family member come stay with you a week before you are due...

I'm sorry you're put in this situation, Julie. It stinks to have things be up in the air.

I just wanted to mention that I worked in mother/baby and the neonatal ICU for 10 years and I can understand why the hospitals are implementing these policies. (Ours here is doing the same thing) You would not BELIEVE some of the things that go on with visitors. There's the couple dragging their 4 kids, all with snotty noses, in at 2am to visit a neighbor they barely know. There's the mom with a kid who has strep throat wanting to bring her kid to meet the new little brother in ICU (never mind the risk to the other babies). Not to mention the drunk, and drug induced psychotics you have trying to get information about a family member that they can't even tell you the last name of. I've found that most people are generally considerate and have some sense, but there are always a few that don't and that puts all the patients at risk when they're already immune depressed. 

Julie that just sucks!

The hospital that I work at just put the ban on starting this past Monday- no visitors under the age of 14, unless they are visiting their newborn sibling.

Vicki you don't work at Doylestown do you?? No one has told me anything about a policy like this YET.

How far away are you from Danville?  I think it's Danville.   I don't know what hospital he works at, but my BIL is a CRNA. 

I'm at Abington, but I work off-site.  Not sure what they are doing at Doylestown, but Liz I'm sure these restriction will be lifted by the time you deliver.  Are you delivering at Doylestown?  Here is part of the announcement that we received:

AMH Announces Visitor Restrictions

To help prevent the spread of influenza, hospital visitors must be over the age of 14.

Exceptions:

• Siblings of a newborn

• Children with special permission

Children are generally more at risk to carry influenza infection and are less likely to follow precautions for preventing the spread of germs.

Patient and Visitor Mask Use

AMH is now asking patients and visitors experiencing flu-like symptoms while in any of our facilities to please:

• Wear a mask

• Use hand sanitizer

He works at Geisinger? 

I honestly don't know. 

Danville is about 1 1/2 hours north west of where I am at.

Geisinger is in Danville. That is were I am delivering at. It is also where I had my 2nd child and also my RNY.