L&D Nurses, A Question...

[TinkerbellMama]

First of all, let me say that this is not one of those, "should I go to the hospital or just soak my severed toe in rubbing alcohol while asking random strangers on the internet for opinions," questions.

My neighbor is pregnant. The father is an illegal immigrant. He has no ID whatsoever. No license (obviously), no passport. How is this handled when they "band" the baby and parents? Will he be able to get a band without providing ID? Will he be allowed in the delivery room? Will he be allowed to hold or visit the baby (if he/she goes to the nursery) without valid ID? I'm sure this issue must come up (in some communities more than others), and I know medical care would not be denied based on citizenship status, but this one has me a bit puzzled. Thanks for your time.

P.S. Yes, my neighbor is a trainwreck. Feel free to comment on such if you'd like...I won't share those comments with her...and I totally agree. She just met this guy like 2 months ago and got pregnant the first week. I have long since given up trying to actually help her not make horrible decisions. I limit my assistance to practical matters in managing her already screwed-up dealings.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I would think it would depend on the hospital and how they handle the security. When my niece was born my brother didn't have to show any id to get his "daddy" band and neither did my nephew (5 years old) for this "brother" band. But they were married...

 

[dcgrumpy]

DH didn't have to show any ID when our kids were born.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Yeah, I really can't remember how they handled it in my case. Obviously, they pulled our son OUT OF MY BODY so they were pretty sure I was the mother. I know I had to show my ID earlier in the day, but I believe that was to prevent insurance fraud, and make sure I really was the person on the card. I can't remember if dh had to show his at all.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

It depends on the hospital.

DD was born at a big Boston hospital, and DH had to show ID to get into the L&D floor.

DS was born at a small local hospital and we could have walked off with all the babies on the floor and no one would have noticed.

So long story short, I think the policy varies by hospital.

 

[chris1gill]

I think you should just call the hospital in question and ask... our hospital required no ID from my husband, whereas, as reported some hospital's will require ID & what constitutes ID?

 

[npmommie]

I would call the hospital, I am sure this is not the first time this situation has come up.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I agree...she should just call the hospital and ask. But she won't. Not her style. What she'll do is show up in labor with him and just "wing it"...that's how she handles everything...by not handling it!

If it were me, I'd call now and find out what the deal was. Then again, I would never be in her position. I don't have sex with strangers and then shack up with them two days later AFTER learning they are illegally in this country and have no documentation whatsoever! I figured some DISers might know the answer, though, and figured it was the least (VERY least, lol) I could do to ask.

 

[maelstrom]

I agree...she should just call the hospital and ask. But she won't. Not her style. What she'll do is show up in labor with him and just "wing it"...that's how she handles everything...by not handling it!

Would it be possible for you to call up the hospital in question? Nobody here is going to be able to answer with 100% certainty for your hospital.

 

[MareQ]

Why don't you call INS and ask them???

 

[kpm76]

I delivered at Women & Infants and DH said he didn't have to show ID (I could not remember...lol). I would remind you though of the story in RI regarding the first baby of the new year....the family was on TV and the dad was here illegally....not a good outcome.

 

[AllyandJack]

DH had to show ID to get the bracelet and to have his name on the birth certificate. This was in June, so it could be a new thing.

My OB knew who I was, so I didn't have to show any ID.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I delivered at Women & Infants and DH said he didn't have to show ID (I could not remember...lol). I would remind you though of the story in RI regarding the first baby of the new year....the family was on TV and the dad was here illegally....not a good outcome.

Oh, do tell...I missed that story!

She will be delivering at W&I or Memorial, not sure which one.

 

[malibuconlee]

The birth certificate was what I was wondering about as well.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Nevermind, I found the story...I forwarded it to her, too!

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14992649/detail.html

And that's another good question...about the birth certificate...I remember what a hard time the birth registrar gave me since my maiden name is now LEGALLY my middle name. I can't believe I had to argue with her about that! She wanted to list my name as First Middle MarriedLast and that's simply not the case. (In the end, I won, lol.) I wonder what they will say when he can't provide ANY proof of who he is??

 

[delilah]

We had a complicated situation at our hospital that involved a mom who was an illegal alien. Not only that, she presented false ID which misrepresented her as an adult (she was less than 18 when she delivered). She then wanted to return to her country of origin, but the baby wasn't allowed to go. It was placed in foster care. A really messy situation. It made no difference to CPS whose body the baby was pulled out of.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Most of the illegal immigrants brought into our hospital are brought in in handcuffs, so we know who they are.

I can't answer about L&D, but if he wasn't here illegally, she wouldn't have this problem would she. I think she should send him packing before they both end up in trouble.

Suzanne

 

[jama]

I haven't worked L&D in a few years but we put the second arm band on whomever the mother wanted.. be it husband, boyfriend, sister, mother...
There were several illegals who delivered but I can't remember how the birth certificates were handled.. we had a clerk who only did birth certificates..

 

[jama]

I also was going to say you can call the hospital's L&D unit and ask. They are used to getting all kinds of questions!! You don't have to give your friends info.

 

[happily single]

I delivered my 3 at Women & Infants and don't remember dh (ex now) having to show id. I literaly could throw a rock and hit Memorial from my house. I have only visited their L&D once ( I was in the room with df and df's dh) I did not have to show id, but I did arrive shortly after her and they just verbally confirmed I was allowed in. They were a much small place (only 10-20 maternity beds) compared with W& I and I think they are more "relaxed" with the rules

It probably doesn't matter, sounds like she probably is just asking for help, but not really wanting help.

Is she scared to go to W&I because of the issue with the dad getting deported after he was shown on the news?