It is not a surprise to most people that you will find germs in the hospital. There are some families who cite that risks of infection at hospitals as a reason to have their babies in places like birth centers or home birth, though the majority of women still chose to give birth in a hospital. For these families, it is important to avoid a nosocomial infection, or one that is actually from hospital germs.
Everyday, people enter the hospital and bring their own personal germs. Viruses and bacteria are brought in by hospital employees, nurses, doctors and the visitors - who are all healthy people. When you add in the germs from the patients at the hospital it can be a real cesspool.
Hospital Protocols
Hospitals work very hard to ensure that germs and infections are not passed around from patient to patient. Many times you will find that the labor and birth unit, as well as the postpartum unit, are not mixed in with other patients who have communicable diseases. This does provide a small layer of protection.
Hand Washing
In addition to this measure, the hospital staff is trained in infection control - how to specifically prevent the spread of germs from one patient to the next. One of the biggest factors in preventing germs from spreading was discovered shortly after births began occurring in the hospitals. As more and more women became ill after giving birth in the hospital, a bright young doctor declared that washing the hands of the care providers between patients would help. He was obviously correct! Now hand washing is a very important part of germ control even today.
Clean Medical Equipment
Medical equipment is either disposable, meaning it is only used one time; or it is sterilized between uses. So items like needles, IV kits and exam gloves are disposable. Other larger pieces of equipment are usually placed in a medical grade sterilizer, following the hospital's protocols for sterilization.
Avoid Skin Breaks from Needles or Surgery When Possible
Hopefully when you enter the hospital you are healthy. This is a great benefit in the fight against infection. Well-nourished, well-rested, healthy individuals are less susceptible to infection. While it is not always possible to be well rested at the end of pregnancy, it can help boost your immune system.
Avoiding unnecessary procedures can also help prevent the spread of infection. This means that the few holes poked in your skin, either by injection, IV or surgical incisions - the less likely you are to get an infection.
Room in With Your Baby
Keeping your baby with you at all times can also be a step in the right direction. It reduces the exposure that your baby has to other workers and babies in the central nursery. It also allows you to help boost your baby's immune system by allowing for better breastfeeding.
Avoid Premature Birth
If you are giving birth prematurely, you can assume that your new baby, as a preemie, will be immunocompromised - meaning he will have a weakened immune system. This makes him more likely to become ill, even from a virus or bacteria that would not phase someone else or even a full term infant.
Watch Your Child Closely
Being mindful of the sterilization protocols and ensuring that everyone wash their hands and use only equipment dedicated to your child, new or recently sterilized can help in preventing infection. You are your baby's best advocate.
