New hospital rules stress out expectant mother
SPRINGFIELD, Ore - Swine flu is changing the visiting rules at RiverBend Medical Center: The hospital is only allowing one visitor at a time in patient rooms on the maternity floor.
Hospital officials said the new rule was implemented to protect some of their most vulnerable patients from the flu.
Heather Helm, 19, is expected to give birth to her first child at the hospital. She said finding out she could not have more than one of her family members in her room gave her stress.
“I kind of panicked a little because I want to be able to have the support that I feel I need and for me that’s more than one person," said Helm.
Helm said she doesn’t know how she will choose who will be in the room with her when she gives birth. Because multiple people have helped her through here pregnancy, she was hoping to involve all of them in the birthing process.
“They've helped me through everything and gave me all the information and took me to my doctor appointments and my classes, and really helped me out," said Helm.
RiverBend Hospital said they will keep the new rules for a few weeks.
