Perhaps the hospital meant that she couldn't take her baby home if she didn't have something to carry her in? I know at my hospital they do not let you carry your baby out of the hospital - you have to have a capsule or a pram to carry bubs in until you get to the car. I think it's a health and safety thing - ie you might slip and fall while holding your baby, causing injury to bub, which then leaves the hospital open to legal action if you were so inclined