Ask what floor/ward you'll be on.

Something I thought of while at the castle... Before you go in, ask what floor or ward you'll be on. My hyst roommate and I were in the "Family Birth Unit". Great for us - we were fine with having our hysts. It's a cheerful place with lots of happy people (and stunned new fathers), friendly nurses, crying babies, little kids running around, not a lot of sickness and drama. We liked it. But I could see how it could be a cruel experience for women who really aren't happy about ending their reproductive lives. If you don't want to be in some kind of Ob/Gyn area, be sure to ask. I mentioned it, and they told me they can also send people to another floor - but nobody asked me my preference. Just something to check into beforehand.

I got dropped on the medical surgical ward. My hospital will not put a newly crowned queen in a maternity ward.

Here maternity, fertility treatment, gynecologic sugerty and gynecologic oncology are all different wards.

I also got put in a maternity area, but it wasn't a problem for me because I have never wanted children. I can understand how difficult it would be, though, for many women to see all those babies around. Good idea to ask!

I had my choice of hospitals, and my doctor and I talked about it before surgery. She said that at one hospital gyn patients are sometimes on the same floor as maternity. Frankly I have never wanted kids and if I am not feeling well I certainly did not want to hear crying babies. I went to the other hospital which has a GU/GYN surgical floor, had a great private room and an uneventful stay.

At the hospital I went to, they put women who are giving up their babies for adoption on the GU/GYN floor which I think makes sense, since there are a lot of feelings, etc. associated with babies. It is insensitive (and probably decided by men) to put new mothers and babies on the same floors as hysterectomy patients. Okay, I will get off my soapbox now.

I agree that it *could* be insensitive. In my case it was fine to be in with the new moms. It was kind of nice to be on a ward where people were generally happy and well. I think it helped my DH, who doesn't like being in hospitals anyway, to be on a floor that was so upbeat (and didn't smell funny). They did tell me that they never put hysts and new moms in the same room, at least.

By the way, I was thinking of asking for a private room, after some of the stories I'd heard about screaming roommates and their big, noisy families, but I'm so glad I didn't! I had an awesome roommate, going through the same stuff as me (but one day ahead), and her company made my stay a whole lot more enjoyable.

Oh, and a friend reminded me that in this part of the world, anyway, there are many women who are, shall we say, somewhat superstitious. They wouldn't want a hystersister next to them on maternity, because she might be some sort of a hex... sheesh!

When I had my surgery, my hospital was overcrowded so I was put in the birthing center. My roommate was a great lady who had a hyster 3 hours before me. We made a great team who helped take care of each other. Our nurses were great, but usually very busy due to the many numbers of babies being born while we were there. I did enjoy the upbeat atmosphere where I was. The only "awkward" time for me was when a nurse came in on the 2nd morning and asked, "do you feel like you just had a baby?" I knew she was teasing because of where we were, but it did take me a moment of wondering why she would joke like that to anyone just back from a hysterectomy. I remember lifting my head off the pillow to respond, "well, --technically, NO!!" But, all in all, the experience was better for me due to the cheery room, nice shower facility, and upbeat atmosphere.

Linda:

You are very lucky you had a wonderful roomate. I requested and was lucky enough to get a Private Room. From previous hospital stays I always got stuck with terrible roomates. I did not want to take the chance again - so I am happy I was able to get a Private Room at the end of hall as it was nice and quiet. Wow - crying babies and that didn't bother you - unfortunately it would've driven me nuts! :evil: Sorry Moms with babies...But I am happy you had an eventful stay while you were there. In another site you mentioned pajamas and I think that is a must. And like you said upbeat pair of pj's - I brought a colorful, cheerful pair w/ me also - changing into those after wearing those charming johnnies was a pleasure and made myself a lot more comfortable. You keep getting better - and walk, walk, walk but again, very slowly and don't overdo yourself. You sound from what I have read in others sites that you are recovering well. The Best to You and all you other Ladies.
[Edited by MLou on 12-27-2000]

Well, we couldn't hear the babies in our room (and they always kept all the room doors closed on this floor), only when we were out cruising the halls. Any other context, and yes, crying babies drive me nuts, but I figured they had a right to be in the birth unit. I was wondering how the nurses stand it, 24 hours, a dozen or so babies... If you think of it as the sound of a strong, healthy baby, it's easier to listen to.

About PJs - What I did for my first surgery (hysteroscopy/laparoscopy) was to get some dull, gray sweats from WalMart, figuring they'd get me through, and I could wear them in the yard later. They shrunk too short the first time I washed them, so I didn't even want to get the mail in them. Boy, a week or two in drab, boring, ill-fitting gray sweats will make you feel awful even if you're healthy. Blecch. Wear stuff that cheers you up! Sounds dumb, but it does help.