Dear Heather, many US hospitals are changing to labor, delivery, recovery
rooms (one room) and some even include L,D, R & P -postpartum.  Depending
on the hospital the baby usually goes to a transition nursery for all the
tests etc.  for a period of time.  The better places just do it all in
mom's room.  Many drs and nurses have a fear of doing anything in front of
the parents which is silly to say the least, but we are bucking big time
birth traditions here.

Remember this is a medical process (not a birth :-(  There are places that
are beginning to stand out as great examples of how to do it, but still far
too many that have labor (1 room) delivery (another room) recovery (another
room) and postpartum (another room)  !!!!!  Or any combination of the
above.  Physically the way the units are set up precludes any other system
and change involves big bucks.  Guess who pays for plans for new units?
You're right, the people who see mother/baby separation as a good thing -
ta ta - the formula cos.  Any hospital who is renovating is going to LDR or
LDRP.  Makes sense in containing costs!  Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

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