Dr. Christine Sterling posted the video, which amassed one million views on her TikTok account @drsterlingobgyn, in which she shared her view on visitors at the hospital after childbirth.
“Unpopular opinion from an OB/GYN,” she said at the start of her video. “Nobody, unless they really want to, should have visitors to the hospital after they give birth. It’s a lot, y’all.”
According to Lancaster General Health, there is no set timeline as to when new parents should see visitors and if they should come to the hospital. It largely comes down to how they feel and what they are comfortable with.
“Remember that bringing a life into the world is a lot of hard work, and you deserve time to rest and get into the groove of motherhood,” the hospital said. “Between feedings, diaper changes and nurses and doctors checking on you and baby, there’s a lot that happens during your stay.”
New parents are also advised to consider germs and their own recovery before allowing visitors to see them and the baby.
Sterling expanded on her opinion in an email sent to Newsweek, pointing out that people have described the birth of their child as “traumatic.”
“Birth is an incredibly taxing event physically and emotionally,” she said. “Having people visit the baby and chit chat with you while you are bleeding, dealing with urinary incontinence, breastfeeding, in pain etc. is often not conducive to healing, disrupts bonding and interferes with sleep.”
She said from her perspective, whenever the postpartum person wants to have visitors is when they can have them.
“Some patients prefer to get through the bumpiness of the first two weeks, during which many people experience baby blues, before having visitors,” Sterling said. “The pediatricians on the other hand would probably like, especially during cold and flu season, for people to hold off even longer.”
Sterling noted that a baby who has a fever in the first one to two months of life may need to be admitted to the NICU, and it is critical to protect their immune systems.
She also said there are different types of visitors.
“Some visitors are there to support the new family and are important emotional and social support. Others, I call them ’lookie-loos,’ are there to see the baby and expect the postpartum family to host them with a clean house and food and drink,” Sterling said. “If you are going into someone’s vulnerable postpartum space, enter with a spirit of service to them.”
A Mixed Reaction
Sterling’s opinion ignited a discussion among viewers—some of whom disagreed with her message.
“Am I the only person who would much rather have visitors at the hospital than a revolving door of people stopping by once I get home?” a viewer wondered.
“I like having visitors,” another TikTok user wrote. “I have a big family and they are pretty supportive. My husband’s family is really involved as well.”
“I loved getting visitors,” a comment read. “The days can get boring.”
While some disagreed with the notion of barring visitors from the hospital, many were in agreement with Sterling.
“Third birth…didn’t tell anyone my baby was born until we were HOME,” a viewer said. “Best experience ever.”
“I loved our alone time to bond,” one comment read. “People could visit once I was home and comfortable.”
“Same opinion from a former [labor and deliver] RN, now [certified nurse midwife],” another viewer wrote. “COVID restrictions helped our moms sleep, breastfeed and recover in peace. They loved it too.”
Other parenting and pregnancy stories have gone viral, including a video showing how a woman’s husband took care of her throughout her pregnancy.
Another video, this time posted by a nurse, revealed five “crazy reasons” some fathers missed the births of their children, while one video showed a group of people “tailgating” the birth of a loved one.
Update: 11/09/22 1:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional comment.
