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Comment by giantg2 | Hacker News Reader

Another thing that isn't mentioned here is the hassle they can put you through if you have kids. For example, before they discharge you with a newborn they will ask you if you have electricity and some similar questions. If you answer no, they call child protection and have them investigate.

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Interesting. I don’t think we got those questions for either of our kids. We do live in an urban area though.

I recall some questions about food security and heat security though.

The only thing they (east and west coast hospital, last 5 years) asked is if we have a car seat. And for the mom to do a depression screening.

So you're required to have a car?

The standard process--can't speak to having a newborn--but it you've been under sedation is that someone will pick you up in a car from the hospital. Now, if you're at an urban hospital and happen to live just down the street might someone walking to the hospital to pick you up be OK? Maybe. Can't speak to what the rules literally say.

ADDED: An of course someone picking you up may rent or borrow a car, take a taxi, or otherwise arrange for transportation.

Where I live, there are taxis.

So in that case, you would put the carseat in the taxi.

You both make a fair point! :-) It hadn't crossed my mind that you still need a car-seat, even if you ride a taxi.

So: how are you supposed to move children around, if you don't own or can't drive a car? You can't be expected to carry a car-seat around with you, as well as having kids in tow.

I had a car when I was raising kids; I've never confronted this problem.

Your previous comment asked incredulously whether its mandatory to have a car when you have a baby, since the poster before you commented on mandatory car seat.

Now your current comment about taxis may enable you to put the whole puzzle together :)

PA asks these questions, the car seat stuff, and makes you sign a paper saying you watched a shaken baby video.

If they're worried about shaken babies, then they seriously need to fix the potholes we're so infamous for.

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