Diary of Parenting Overseas...Entry #6

Entry #6....Hospital Norms

• Make sure to bring a copy of your passport and visa with you when you check in! Even if your water has broke and the process of labor has begun, they insist upon it!
• Nurses tend to be there with you ALL THE TIME!! Privacy, I don't believe, is a vocabulary word in the hospitals in India. When using the toilet, dressing, and/or showering, they are right there with you and ready to lend a hand..literally!
• Nurses also tend to think you know nothing and they know everything. Be ready to get advice on every detail they think you should know: your nails are too long hence you will hurt your baby; you can't have your baby if you don't feel the pain; here's how you should change your clothes; the baby is crying and this is why; you should feed the baby your milk; and so on....
• Be ready to have 3-4 people in your room at one time. Some you may know their purpose and some you may not. While feeding your child, the dietitian walks in to get your dinner order, the head care consultant is asking you questions in regards to your stay, the nurse comes in to give you medicine, and then another young Indian lady walks in and just stand there. It is quite possible for some hospital staff to walk in, look around the room, check you and the baby, stare for a few minutes and then leave. The feeling of utter confusion is completely normal. Chances are, they are no real purpose, but only wanted to come see the "white" baby.
  
• The process of getting discharged from the hospital is not organized at all. Don't stress if you ask all day when you will be sent home, they tell you they will let you know and then in the evening give you 30 minutes to come pay the bill and get ready to leave.