article campaigning re: 'Bounty' sales reps in maternity wards

[fl0wer]

You can add your signature to a petition linked in the text, if you agree with its writer.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2013/sep/26/kick-bounty-out-maternity-wards-parenting-clubs

[Otta]

Agree, horror stories aside, even for the average person, you are knackered (and I'm the bloke), you are emotional and you are over awed. In short, you are vulnerable, and you should be protected from fucking sales reps hassling you!

[oimissus]

does this happen at Kings (where I guess a lot of forumite babies were born)? Because until I read about it on Mumsnet I didn't know anything about this, I got the Bounty pack from the midwife pre-birth (and chucked most of it in the bin), but never saw anyone on the ward and I was in there for 5 days (though admittedly not out in the main ward for most of that time).

Link isn't working for me but from what I've read on MN it sounds awful.

[astrid83]

Yes it happens at King's. They came in to me on the day my son was born, handed over a bag of stuff and asked for my details. They did not introduce themselves so I just assumed they were hospital staff (I was kind of out of it!)....

[gwod]

Ive signed it and I urge everyone to.

After the birth of my 3rd daughter the Bounty lady did the rounds of my ward chatting to the other 3 mums about how heavy their big babies were and what a hard time theyd had in delivery. I was dreading her coming to me, Id kept my curtains tightly closed as my baby wasnt with me, she was in ICU fighting for her life, 3 months premature and only 1.5lbs. "Wheres baby?" "upstairs" I mananaged just that word.

Id had babies before, so I knew what was in the Bounty Pack, nappies and wipes that were the same length as my tiny little girl, insincere congratulations from baby care providing companies, and a Child allowance form that, sadly, I was never going to need.

All those days were difficult, but that day would have been a little bit easier without Bounty Pack

[oimissus]

I've now managed to read the article and have signed. Absolutely dreadful - complete strangers taking photos of women recovering from childbirth??? Under the aegis of getting child benefit forms out there? And the government pay them for this? The whole thing beggars belief.

[Strawbs]

Signed!!! Totally agree they are unnecessary just hours after giving birth..

[mima08]

Signed - completely ridiculous invasion of privacy!

[midivydale]

Signed

Gwod- I am so sorry for your loss. Your story highlights how outrageous it is to have sales reps at Kings when they have no idea of the circumstances the women are in.

[scareyt]

Signed. I'm so so sorry for your loss Gwod.

[Scribble]

So glad this campaign continues - the whole concept is disgusting and the practices almost unbelievable (had I not witnessed some myself).

[Chunksmum]

Signed x

[fl0wer]

Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm. Do send the link around to friends as well.

Can I add to the other commenters' commiserations for you, gwod. Respect.

[deirdre]

I signed this. Who needs a bag of leaflets. My child benefit was sorted out by the registrar when I registered the birth - there and then.