How Many People Can You Fit in a Hospital Room?

As those of you who know me know - I am a private person in regards to my private parts.  My roommates made fun of me in college for standing in a corner while dressing so no one say my naked-ness.  I am a master of bra-removal while still wearing a shirt.  I DREAD every girl doctor appointment I have ever had to suffer through.  I'm not a fan of swimsuits, and I would rather be shot than breast-feed in public.

So, an hour after delivery and it is time to attempt the first breast feed.  Keep in mind that both babies are in my room under warmers, and have at least 2 nurses attending to them.  My nurse and my doctor are both in the room, and other random people in scrubs keep coming in and out.  Plus, L and I are there.  It is a post-birth circus. 

Then, the lactation consultant joins in on the fun and she says, "Would you mind if a couple extra people came in to observe?  It isn't every day we have an experienced mom of twins breastfeeding. It would be great for them to watch and learn."

L just looked at me and started to laugh....

And while inside my head is screaming, "NO!  Please go AWAY!  Everyone OUT!"

My voice says, "Sure."  Yep, I am a post-birth self-advocating WIMP!

So, while I get ready to try and feed these new babies for the first time, exposing my chest to the entire room, I look around and start to count.

"1 person, 2 persons, 3 persons, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12....Twelve stinkin' people in the hospital room not including me or my husband while I try to attach a child to my chest."

So, the girl with the naked-phobia is now exposing her chest to a dozen random people.  Ugh. 

To top it all off, one of the observing crew with the lactation consultant decided she needed to ask me questions while I was attempting this.   "How was feeding your first set of twins?  How long did you breastfeed them?  What bra size do you wear?"

(OK, she didn't ask me that, but she might was well have with as violated as I already felt)

I felt like I may as well have been up on stage dancing around in a nudie bar. It was a long, grueling, uncomfortable 15 minutes until the lactation crew left, all but a couple nurses cleared the room and I was able to put my gown back on and tie it tight around my neck, keeping all my parts private once again.