Around these parts, PACU stands for post anesthesia care unit (another
word for recovery room just to keep all those who love to be confused
confused).  I am very interested in reading Holly's compilation of what
everyone is doing about breastfeeding in the recovery room or "PACU".  I
work in a level 3 public hospital with over 5000 births per year.  Are
c/s rate is above 40% and climbing. Yes, I have a huge dent in my office
wall (see head banging: late onset, lactation associated).  But we need
to have some way to get these babes to mothers.  I have been told that
our PACU is not allowed to have babies in it because it is against the
sacred recovery room law.  Well, part of it makes sense unfortunately.
The nurses who work in recovery room have critical patients and their
staff to patient ratio can not accommodate the newborn.  Hospital budget
will not permit another nurse in the recovery room for the babies.
Therefore the babies are taken 6 floors up in the hospital to the
transition nursery and, if lucky, get to mom 4 hours later (and sound
asleep). One IBCLC is responsible for the whole hospital and out
patients and can not be in recovery room for all the couplets.  I am
told that the babies can not be left there even if there is a
significant other to watch the infant since the infant is in the
transitional state and needs to under her/his own observation.  If any
one out there has a similar scenario that they have been able to solve,
please let me know.

Mary Westra

In South Florida where the sun and beaches are lovely but not the
maternity care.


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