[blparent] introduction, expecting

Fri Aug 24 17:04:14 UTC 2012

What you want to do is talk to the head of the maternity ward. Find out what they expect of new moms and how you will be graded.
I treated this like a readiness event, the baby was the product and in order for us to leave, there were control gates we had to pass. Find out what gates you have to pass through and what the criteria is.
If you feel bullied or intimidated (and you probably won't) then get some advocates.
Find out what questions you will be asked at the hospital and figure out how you will answer.

At the hospital where I delivered, their criteria for all moms is that they were emotionally invested in their baby. Be interested as much as you can in what's going on around you. This is harder then it looks especially if you've had a long labor.

I'd strongly advise having someone who is invested in you and the baby with you, both to help you in labor and to make sure things are okay with you, the baby, and the hospital. This can be anybody really.
Hospitals do treat patients better if the staff knows that that patient is loved and has people who care about him or her. It shouldn't be this way, but it is.
Be calm and assertive like the Dog Whisperer. Convey a positive energy.

Mention NFB, it demonstrates you have subject matter experts.
I doubt the hospital will tell you that they are treating you any differently. My case was unusual, and we did have a social worker visit our room. It probably was related to my blindness, though I can't prove it because there were other circumstances. The hospital told me at the maternity ward visit that the social worker would be by because I was outside the scope of typical patients, and because this was true, and because this had nothing to do with blindness, I saw little point in arguing. I just found out what questions I'd be asked.
You also may want to level with the hospital and tell them that you realize they have little to no experience with blind parents.  That will at least get the topic out in the open. They won't say it themselves because it makes them look bad.

This really won't be a problem unless you have things going on the list isn't aware of.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peggy
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 5:13 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] introduction, expecting

I think everyone's scaring you on here ... I would like to say that
generally things go okay for blind or sighted parents with the delivery of a
new baby.  I have had all three of my children, in a hospital, and have had
no problems.  While you are there, I'm sure you will be involved with taking
care of the baby, they will help you change it, bathe it, etc., if you can't
do these things then I'm sure they'll have a cause to worry, but I'm sure
you can so I'm sure you'll be just fine.  If you can take some parenting
classes all the better!!

-----Original Message-----
From: Tatyana
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 10:22 AM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] introduction, expecting

Jo Elizabeth, my baby due is in the end of November. What do you mean  by
they  may want to involve child protective services? What  clarifying
questions could I ask them  to be sure  I'll be treated same as sighted
moms?

I'm really not sure that I'll see nurses at a maternity tour in a hospital
that actually will be   around me  in labor.
Thank you.

Tatyana.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jo Elizabeth Pinto" <jopinto at msn.com>
To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 1:31 AM
Subject: Re: [blparent] introduction, expecting

> Hi, Tatyana.  When is your baby due?  Taking maternity classes at the
> hospital where you plan to deliver is a good start.  Introduce yourselves
> around to the nurses and staff so they can get to know you before you
> arrive in labor.  For my own peace of mind, I asked if the hospital had
> any policies that would make the staff look unfavorably at a blind mom or
> want to involve Child Protective Services right away.  I felt the direct
> approach was best, but a lot of people don't go that far.
>
> Jo Elizabeth
>
> I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's
> brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived
> and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.--Stephen Jay Gould
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tatyana
> Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 7:03 PM
> To: Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: [blparent] introduction, expecting
>
> Hello all,
> I would like to introduce myself,  I'm blind and I'm expecting my first
> child. My husband and I are going to take child birth classes and
> maternity
> tour in a hospital. I would highly appreciate    sharing your  experiences
> in a hospital. I'd like to learn how I can be best prepared for my labor
> and
> delivery process, what accommodations I need to ask for. This is just my
> first question and surely I have tons of them. And also,is there blind
> parents group near Washington DC? I live North- West of DC and would be
> happy to chat with newly  and expecting parents.
>
> Thank you very much, hope to hear from you and have a great day.
>
> Tatyana.
>
>
>
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