Submitted by f_thot_bitchgerald t3_10vet9l in vermont
I’m due in a couple of months with my second. My first was March 2020 but just before the world went crazy. Just wondering about anyone’s experience with labor delivery and postpartum at uvm in Burlington. I have an info packet about practical stuff but wondering about the more informal stuff. Nurses seem overworked and burnt out? How was it laboring in a mask?
Thank you so much for your reply, and congrats!
Hi. UVMMC Night shift Postpartum nurse here. Like others have said, no laboring in masks! But hospital still has mask policy so when your in hallways or other areas of the hospital, makes on. On postpartum, we do ask you to out your mask on when we are in the room, as well as visitors the the whole visit they are there. I am not very strict about this but some nurses for their own health or other reasons are. Our kitchen is open again! We have lots of great snacks on the unit for you and your partner. Only the birthing parent can order a tray from the cafeteria though. It’s not for financial reasons though, it’s literally because the size of the hospital has outgrown the patient population. The hospital is in the process of plans to design and build a new one. Current postpartum visitor policy (L&D has a different one) is 2 adults at the bedside and up to 2 siblings. Your partner does count as one of the adults. I’m just telling you the policy, some nurses are more lenient about it but some do stick very strictly to it. My ask is please don’t be upset with the nurse that is sticking to policy because someone else didn’t. One adult can stay overnight, no children overnight which is one policy that can’t be broke. Mother-Baby is an amazing place to work. I feel like even on days we may be short staffed or have difficult assignments, we really do our best to make all of our families know they are important and well cared for! Congratulations!
This is really helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to share. We had such a great experience our first time around I have been worried it would feel much like the rest of the world - overworked, extremely stressed, production line style. I know there’s babies born every minute but I was hoping to hear that the stuff was still treated well and able to remember that this is an enormous life event for families and encouraged/supported to bring that vibe to work. Thanks again!
My wife just gave birth at Fletcher Allen and it was a great experience. Easy parking, great nurses and doctors, and comfortable maternity rooms. Happy to share details if it would be helpful.
Thank you! Congrats 😄
I gave birth at UVM a month ago. You don’t wear a mask while you’re laboring, only when in the hallways and in recover when a staff member enters the room (though they didn’t enforce it). I had an overall very positive experience!
That’s great! Thanks for replying and congrats! 😄
An airport is a terrible place to have a child.
Looking for those sweet sweet airline miles
Kind of cool if it is on an airplane tho
Porter has great midwives and doctors. Small and very friendly.
Second Porter!!
We had both our kids at porter and I simply cannot say enough great things about our experience. We could not have been more cared for or more listened to. I’m almost sad we’re stopping at two just because I can’t get to hang out with them anymore!
We had a baby in late 2020 and they weren’t requiring masks then. I’d be surprised if they were now.
The entire hospital everyone is required to wear masks all the time (all my prenatal appts have been there). But thanks for sharing!
Sorry, I was specifically answering your question about laboring with a mask saying it wasn’t required even before vaccines.
I’m a man, and my kid was born at UVM in 2012, so I have zero helpful advice to give you.
I merely commented to salute your absolutely excellent username!
Congratulations and good luck with kiddo #2
Ha thanks!
I gave birth there almost 2 years ago - so not recent - but the doctor/nursing staff was amazing. Thanks all who work in L&D, and the mom/baby unit, you all were supportive, knowledgeable, and amazing resources to new parents!
I had a scheduled c section in Sept! My first was in Nov 19 before everything happened (not a c section).
Obviously we wore masks during preop, in the OR, and right after. Once we moved to postpartum, my husband and visitors wore masks when the nurses/docs came in, but there were times I did not (you will be covid tested upon admission). I had absolutely wonderful nurses (like in 2019), with the exception of one who was awful. I had a reaction to something and was vomiting and it was like she couldn’t be bothered. I did, however, mention it to another nurse and she rolled her eyes and remarked that it was beyond time for that nurse to retire - haha.
Overall, the care seemed like my 2019 experience and the nurses were true blessings. I still think of my L&D nurse from 2019 often (she was a god send!) and one of the overnight nurses in postpartum during my most recent birth. They both helped me through some tough stuff and were genuinely caring and compassionate women.
kmbpa t1_j7hegvc wrote
I just gave birth at UVM a month ago!
I didn’t labor in my mask. Once I was settled and had my COVID test done I took it off and no one batted n eye. I had asked my dr about this before I went into labor and he said the nurses aren’t enforcing masking, especially with negative tests.
They’re definitely busy over there but I NEVER felt like I wasn’t cared for. My nurses were wonderful and very attentive.
Visitors are welcome now. Technically two at a time but my parents came with my two year old and no one cared. Again I was told as long as it’s not a gaggle of visitors it’s fine!
I was discharged after 24 hours but that was my decision, they said I could stay longer if I felt I needed to.
Happy to answer any other specific questions!