The visitor thing has long been a soap box issue for me. One of the way's to
prevent this deluge is to get the parents thinking about the problem before
delivery. This can be done in childbirth classes or in the hospital's
orientation program. I teach our hosp. Parent's Night, which is an
orientation to the hospital. During the presentation I address visitors. I
tell the support people that it is their *job* to keep visitors to a bare
minimum. I suggest that parents decide ahead of time who is absolutely
essential. The discussion goes into their homes post-partum. I often make
jokes that mother doesn't feel like entertaining and the importance of
getting to know the baby undisturbed. I also point out that visitors bring
more problems than help, by asking what will mother need help with after the
baby comes.  I point out that mom is perfectly able to take care of the baby
and herself. ( You know, those grandma's that walk in to take care of the
baby, not take care of the house.) So far it works pretty well.