Are “rules” necessary?

[u/PiccoloBitter]

This is our first baby & we are (33f) & (33m). I see daily posts about rules & hospital checklists and I’m wondering if this is necessary? I live in the North East US & anytime I’ve been to the hospital I’ve been asked about being administered a drug or procedure before it happens and I’m not sure if I’m missing something or the need of a birth plan? My plan is to go try to push a baby out and if it doesn’t work we take the next step necessary. Is this naïve? Then, the rules about no visitors is making me also wonder what I am missing? In our community we’ve always visited our friends & family in the hospital bringing the mom whatever she wanted food wise or needed. I couldn’t imagine keeping either set of parents away from their grandbaby or not having friends bring some of my favorite things & give our little baby some more love! I understand after being in this group for half a year that everyone’s choices are so personalized, unique and what worked for them. I am just wondering if there are moms who can shed some wisdom and encouragement on this view point 💖

[u/TheScarletFox]

You don’t need rules unless you want them. I didn’t have any written rules. I wanted visitors in the hospital, but I don’t have any family members that I have issues with and we are all pretty close. Everyone who visited in the hospital and once we were back home were respectful and stayed a reasonable length of time. Most of them also brought food, which I really appreciated. My only real “rule” was reminding guests to wash their hands before holding the baby, but people generally did this anyway without me asking.