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Dedicated July 2021

What should we do?

MaryElena, on December 7, 2021 at 5:26 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 1 16
My husband and I are expecting our first baby! We’re so excited however I need some advice. The majority of my husband’s family is unvaccinated and we finally told some of them the exciting news. We’re in NY and they’re in FL. I’ve already spoken with my husband and we mutually agree that we don’t want a whole group of family members to show up for the baby’s birth. There’s not much they can do because the hospital will most likely only allow my husband in the delivery room. We also feel we should keep it between us so we can cherish the first few hours with our newborn without any unnecessary drama. Most importantly we don’t want unvaccinated individuals around the baby since they can be extremely vulnerable to infection. My MIL who is also unvaccinated said she wants to buy a plane ticket and it’s making me a little anxious! We tried to explain that she might not be allowed but she believes things might change. I don’t want to offend any of my in-laws but all we want is for them to respect our privacy. After the baby arrives we can definitely make arrangements for them to visit. Luckily we have FaceTime and other ways to communicate. Are we being irrational or unfair? They might be really angry because she is part of their family too. We’re not trying to exclude them or be disrespectful but our child’s health is our highest priority. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

16 Comments

Latest activity by MaryElena, on December 10, 2021 at 10:04 AM
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    Congratulations! My advice would be to be straight forward with her. Don’t leave anything up for interpretation. If she’s unvaccinated and you don’t want her around your child, your husband needs to tell her sooner rather than later that that’s your stance on it and set boundaries.
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  • M
    VIP January 2019
    Maggie ·
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    Yes, to this. This isn't about being offensive or disrespectful. This is about your baby's safety. Agree on your boundaries and present a firm, united front. The unvaccinated family members will likely be upset, but that doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong. They have had 6+ months to get with the program; none of this is new information.

    We don't have children, but my husband and I have had to draw this same boundary with his family due to my husband's immunocompromised condition. It sucks, but they all have a choice and choices have consequences. Keeping him alive is way more important to us than their hurt feelings.

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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    I agree with others. I would be firm and say that you don't want unvaccinated individuals around the baby. If they don't like it, they can either not see the baby in person or get vaccinated. My husband and I are currently trying, and my mom is unvaccinated. I firmly intend to implement that rule if/when we are blessed with a child. Your baby's health is a bigger priority than their hurt feelings.
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  • M
    Dedicated July 2021
    MaryElena ·
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    Thank you everyone for your well wishes and encouragement! We will eventually tell them. My husband will definitely address our concerns and ask them to respect our wishes even if they’re disappointed. My husband's exact words were “If they can’t respect our decision and prioritize our child’s safety than we have every right to cut ties completely.” He’s very protective about this child and I’m so grateful for all of the synonymous words of encouragement!
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  • Heather
    Super November 2021
    Heather ·
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    Congrats!! Smiley laugh So, exciting!
    Definitely stand your ground. I understand their excitement, but they have to respect your wishes on wanting a safe environment for your child. Because of everything with COVID it's so unpredictable. And you just really don't KNOW.

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  • Shelly
    Dedicated May 2022
    Shelly ·
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    Congrats! I have young children and I believe in vaccinating to stay safe. I may be the minority here but I don't think whether someone is vaccinated or not should be the issue, as vaccinated and unvaccinated people can spread covid to your baby and since you baby can't get vaccinated yet, I don't believe anyone should be around your baby. This is just my opinion. Your family and his family need to understand this. It's possible for your baby to get it either way from anyone.
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  • M
    Dedicated July 2021
    MaryElena ·
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    Thank you Shelly! Yes I totally agree but I also believe that being vaccinated can minimize the severity of infection. My MIL is convinced that the government is using this virus to tear families apart and force citizens to comply to their demands and that the vaccine is “fake” (my husband and I are absolutely appalled by her statements) so we kindly requested that she not be present at the hospital because the staff will definitely not let an unvaccinated visitor near the baby. Thank you for your encouragement!
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  • M
    Dedicated July 2021
    MaryElena ·
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    Thank you Shelly! Yes I totally agree but I also believe that being vaccinated can minimize the severity of infection. My MIL is convinced that the government is using this virus to tear families apart, force citizens to comply to their demands and the vaccine is “fake” (my husband and I are absolutely appalled by her statements) so we kindly requested that she not be present at the hospital because the staff will definitely let an unvaccinated visitor near the baby. Thank you for your encouragement!
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  • Shelly
    Dedicated May 2022
    Shelly ·
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    Yes, you are correct but it does not keep your baby from getting it nor does it minimize the severity since the baby isn't vaccinated. You do what you want, it's your baby. Your MIL sounds nuts lol
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  • KiwiDerbyBride
    VIP May 2015
    KiwiDerbyBride ·
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    Congrats! My stance is no vaccine, no visit - and that includes the flu vaccine if your baby is born in flu season, and the TDaP booster if they haven’t had one in the last five years. There’s just too much at stake.
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  • M
    Dedicated July 2021
    MaryElena ·
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    Thank you!! Yes, I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ve always been respectful towards my in-laws and will continue to be. My only concern is that MIL thinks the vaccine is “fake” and that virus is just a way for the government to control what citizens do. I asked her very respectfully, I hope really hope she listens. She seems to do what’s only convenient for her. My husband works is an EMT and works with patients every day and we’ve tried to tell her the hospital will not let unvaccinated visitors near our newborn. I didn’t want to pick a fight with her so I left it alone. All we can do whether she wants to face reality or not is kindly ask for our wishes to be respected. I told my husband, “This is our baby, we have final say. She can no longer make plans whenever she feels like it without consulting us first.”


    Thank you for the advice!
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  • Samantha
    Super May 2022
    Samantha ·
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    Virus or not, its totally natural to want that time alone with your husband and your first child. I didn't let anyone at the hospital for the birth of my son right away, and only after a half day or so of him being here did I let immediate family only in. People need to remember how emotionally and physically taxing labor is, and how this moment is yours!

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  • Alyssa
    Super December 2021
    Alyssa ·
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    THIS THIS THIS. COVID is not the only concern for newborns. And even for people with all 3 of these vaccines, masks are still not a bad idea when people meet the baby-RSV doesn't have a vaccine and is extremely dangerous to young children, especially in winter.

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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    Our daughter and SIL just had their first baby. They made it clear visitors were strictly limited to grandparents, and even those visits were minimal, quick, "meet the baby" type exchanges. They also let us know they expected us to get several vaccinations (e.g., Covid, flu, T-DAP, all recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics) prior to the baby's birth. SIL's parents dragged their feet, so they didn't meet the baby till a few weeks after she was born. Your number one priority is now your family and your baby -- decide what your boundaries are, clearly communicate them, and then enforce them. Good luck and congratulations! Smiley heart

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  • Kari
    Master May 2020
    Kari ·
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    FIRM BOUNDARIES.

    Even if there wasn't a pandemic, couples need privacy and support when bringing a newborn into the world. It is you and your husband's baby, not anyone elses. NO ONE should be showing up at the hospital or your home unannounced and uninvited, grandparents of the newborn included. YOU get to choose what support is helpful to you - whether that's someone in your house helping with baby or house duties, Facetiming loved ones, someone bringing you a meal so you don't have to cook, or them just staying the hell away and sending a text to let you know they are thinking of you (with no expectation of a reply) but otherwise leaving you alone.

    Talk with your husband and get on the same page about expectations for your childbirth experience and having a newborn at home. Childbirth is traumatic. Your body goes through a lot, whether you decide and are able to do an unmedicated vaginal birth or need more advanced intervention such as an epidural or c-section. You will be tired and exhausted. You will have so many emotions. The last thing you need is the stress of unwanted visitors, unsupportive family members, or those who don't believe in the same safety precautions as you do to protect your baby, a baby you grew in your body for 9-10 months and protected with your life. Ultimately, if you are the one giving birth, you have the final say in what is and is not permitted around you during labor and immediately after.

    Additionally, with Covid, I think you are absolutely right to be concerned about unvaccinated individuals around you, while pregnant, and around your newborn. I would absolutely not allow unvaccinated people anywhere near my baby. If you plan to be firm with this (and I 100% think you should), get on the same page with hubby and make it clear to your families that only those who are vaccinated will be able to meet your baby face-to-face. Let this be known early. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles all have plenty of time to choose to be vaccinated before the arrival of your newborn if this is a priority to them.

    It makes me furious when people think they are entitled to anyone else's baby. If you or your husband's family try to guilt trip you into doing things that make you uncomfortable, stand firm. Your duty as a parent is to protect your child, not to accommodate those who want access to your baby.

    Congrats on your little on on the way!

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  • M
    Dedicated July 2021
    MaryElena ·
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    Thank you so much, Kari! Your kind words are very much appreciated and I will gladly follow your advice. Needless to say, my MIL has got me a little anxious. I told my husband, “This is no longer about what’s convenient for her or anyone else. If she wants to have visiting privileges she must respect the boundaries.” I’ve never been disrespectful to any of my in-laws especially my MIL but honestly if she doesn’t adhere to our requests, that wouldn’t just be disrespectful to us but to our child. My husband also said, “I don’t care if we don’t agree on vaccinations but any parent will tell you their child’s well-being comes before anything.” We’re staying completely focused on our child. Thank you again for the encouragement! 😊
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