Birthing partner

[Stebell23]

Hi all first time poster here. My wife is freaking out as we are due to get induced next week and now she has heard with the coronavirus around I am not allowed to attend this appointment. Also she heard that I am only allowed to be there in labour once she is 7cm dialated and only allowed to stay 30 mins after the baby has been born. We haven't been told any of this off NHS staff or doctors so I've tried to reassure her that it's all just hearsay and that I will go with her and not to worry (easier said than done I know) this Is our first child so I really don't want her to go alone I was just wondering if anyone had anything more concrete about NHS procedures during this times? Thanks

[Seb9]

Contact your midwife and she'll be able to confirm with you. No one here will know what your specific trust is putting in place so any information on here could be incorrect.

[BekkaG]

Hi try not to let the fear of the virus scare you the rules as I'm aware which have came from a midwife friend are once she your at the hospital you are allowed there for the duration on the basis you dont need to leave again for food check pets or other children as their simply minimising contact your advised to take snacks and essentials she doesnt have to do it alone but she is only allowed 1 birthing partner start to finish hope this helps good luck and all the best to you both x

[KiboXX]

I got an update from my maternity hospital yesterday. I think it differs from trust to trust but our new regulations state you are allowed your partner with you for the entire duration of labour and for 2 hours post birth.

Not sure where you’re based but this is from Cambridge Hospitals and they’ve posted the new restrictions on their Facebook page so you might be able to check yours on there x

[KayCan]

I had the exact same fear at the weekend as I am due on saturday, there has been alot of tears and sleepless nights.

This was all due to me reading too much online so I rang my midwife yesterday and she assured me that our hospital would not be doing this and that my husband would be allowed in throughout, but not allowed out once he was in (I should be careful what I wish for here right!!) She assured me that this policy would not change, so please tell her to ring them to see what your area specifically are doing because she might be worrying unnecessarily.

As for the virus, they are taking all the proper precautions especially where maternity facilities are concerned ie: 1 midwife will be with me throughout.

[Flor12]

Hi, I gave birth on the 21st March at Watford General Hospital and the rules had changed to 1 birthing partner only. If she goes to the postnatal ward after giving birth the birthing parnet was allowed 30 min a day. It wasn't allowed visitors at any time.

[claire16c]

Our local hospital is allowing dads in once labour is at a certain point, sorry not sure what but they’re not allowed on the induction ward when nothing has happened yet. But dads get sent away over night usually so try not to worry about this. Then dad can stay for 2 hours. Mum May be able to leave the same day if all is well and if not following morning- and dad would have had to have left at night anyway . So it might not be as big of a gap as she’s worried about x

[claire16c]

Plus.. she may go into natural labour before next week anyway! So don’t worry about induction until it happens x

[Emnicho]

You need to check with your midwife as it varies from Trust to Trust, but ours has implemented this rule. No birth partners are allowed in the antenatal or postnatal wards or in theatre for c-sections. It's awful. They really need to start testing then they could allow anyone who doesn't have the virus onto the wards. I've emailed my MP about it.

[Lindaashleyrosie]

It's so awful that you're even having to consider this. I'm so sorry for you. My partner can't come to my 12 week scan today but its a different ball game to this. I hope so much you can attend and support your partner.

We were planning on not asking at all and just rocking up. The only reason he is now not coming is because they phoned us. If your partner is worried, you consider just going anyway and hoping they don't throw you out.

Wishing you the best of luck and let us know.

[Sevy571]

I can't believe this! If you live together I don't see what benefit there is to limiting the partner's presence virus-wise!? When we know what a detrimental impact it can have on the mother and the birthing process to not have all the support you need and that was planned ahead!