Do you think appointment and birth rules will change again with lockdown 2?

[LuckyFlash]

Just that really.

My trust has been letting partners come to 20 week scans since July and in the last 2 weeks have started letting them come to 12 week scans so things were moving in a very positive direction.

Just speculation really but I’m wondering whether people think this will remain given they have clearly worked through how it can safely be done, or whether we’ll just go straight back to square one because of the lockdown.

Obviously hoping it will be the former given I have my 20 week scan in 3 weeks and DH is desperate to come and see our first baby for the first time!

What are you expecting to happen?

[HotDiggidy2017]

I thought the same to be honest, got a 20 week scan in December, keeping my fingers crossed it’ll be fine by then but expect it’ll be limited during lockdown 😖😖

[pinacollama]

I’m worrying about that too, my 20 week scan is on 10th. I’m hoping there are enough safety measures in place to allow them still to come but not sure how realistic that hope is! For me it was more about having some support- I’m super anxious about the scan and it would help to have him there.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I’m due on Friday and scared shitless about changes to the birth partners/ visiting hrs/ childcare for my eldest.....considering every trust operates differently I’m guessing I won’t know until admitted

[FtmNov22]

I'm due in 3 weeks 😭 I'm hoping there wount be any more changes on the birth partner restrictions and visiting after. Allready anxious about the current restrictions. I've got a growth scan on monday, partners not allowed but will be waiting in the car park incase they want to induce me, at the moment hes allowed in from the start of induction and can be there between 9am-9pm but I'm so nervous it will change untill active labour again 😔

[Pumpertrumper]

I think 20 week scans are probably out of the window now and we’ll just need to accept/get on with that.

It’s those giving birth alone I feel very sorry for as most will still be women who became pregnant with no idea about covid/lockdown and probably wouldn’t have chosen to do it like this.

I’m afraid I have less sympathy for women who made a conscious choice to get pregnant during lockdown/covid times (like myself- I am also currently pregnant). We knew the situation

[biscuit13]

Im due on Wednesday and now I'm so worried that things will be restricted again 😞 I NEED my partner with me.

[howmanyroads]

I've got my 20 week scan on the 11th Nov and while I'll be absolutely gutted if my husband can't come I'd rather the hospitals and staff are kept as safe as possible

[NoNameIdeas]

I'm due in 5 weeks, have a growth scan in just over a week. Husband not allowed to scan or follow up appointment and hasn't been able to come to anything else either.
Current restrictions are birth partners allowed once in established labour until taken back to ward after birth, but then only allowed 3-4pm each day after that. No other visitors allowed. Hoping it doesn't get any worse than that!

[Rachel12551]

Due in less than 3 weeks.

Had no idea about Covid when I got pregnant and it has affected every aspect of my pregnancy. My husband has not been allowed to any scans or appointments.

My trust is currently allowing partners in during established labour only. If this tightens up and he's not there I have no idea what I'll do

[LuckyFlash]

Really keeping my fingers crossed for those of you due to give birth in the next few weeks!!

[FizzingWhizzbee123]

I think...

1. Yes, most hospitals will restrict partners coming to scans again
   

1. Will continue to allow birth partners during active labour
   

1. But restrict visiting hours on antenatal and postnatal wards
   

1. I think schools and nurseries will (hopefully!) remain open
   

My DH basically missed out on most on this pregnancy anyway as all my scans were during the first lockdown. Now my labour will be in the second lockdown. Yaaaaaaay.....

[biscuit13]

@FizzingWhizzbee123 im exactly the same, my husband missed all the first scans as they were during 1st lockdown. Our baby is due Wednesday do looks like it will be born during 2nd lockdown!! Cant believe it 😔 im praying the hospital won't change its rules.

[FtmNov22]

@FizzingWhizzbee123 my partner has been to nothing too 😔 we have had 3 private scans that hes been able to attend to. We found out I was pregnant the week we went into the first lockdown! Now I'll be giving birth during the seccond lockdown! None of my family have no sympathy and their response is your not the only one, your just have to get on with it 😔

[BG1234]

@FizzingWhizzbee123 @Rachel12551 @FtmNov22 @biscuit13 I’m same as you ladies- due in just under 3 weeks. Found out a week or so before 1st lockdown. Partner hasn’t been allowed to anything- early scans, midwife appointments, consultant appointments, late growth scans. We didn’t go for a private scan either so he’s really ended up getting a raw deal. Now we are facing this 2nd lockdown with labour approaching and probably new measures in place.

I have sympathy for everyone due in the next few weeks. We really didn’t know what was in store for us (unlike those who have fallen pregnant since) and the timing of it all could not be worse if we tried! Hugs to you all x

[KinderWild]

In the questions after the press conf today BJ said they were going to ramp up testing and start using the rapid tests, the example he gave was birth partners. So I'm remaining hopeful that they will allow birth partners to be there in labour. Not sure about scans. I am organising a private one for my 20 weeks, before the scheduled NHS one, just so we can both go.

[Aahh99]

Im due 2nd January, pleased there's been a lockdown to get things under control before I'm due to give Birth.
Our hospital, recently changed it back to partner there with you from beginning of labour, whereas it was from 4cm before.

I really hope they don't change it back to 4cm rule! It took me ages to get to 4cm last time, like hours and hours. Then I needed epidural, I need my OH there for the epidural Going in.
We can only wait and see.
I'm Glad Boris mentioned maternity care in his speech.

[physicskate]

Why all the bashing of people pregnant since covid?? Unplanned pregnancies don't make you a bad person who shouldn't get any empathy... nor do age related reasons for needing to crack on, nor the myriad other reason why someone would have become pregnant in the last 7/8 months. How long did you require someone to put off getting pregnant before you thought they deserve a birth partner, someone to come to scans with them where they get good or the worst news they've ever had in their life?

The science says this thing may be around for years, decades. Are people meant to not have children in that time so you can be holier than thou?

Don't judge people before you've walked in their shoes...

[FtmNov22]

This whole partners having to test negative before they can visit makes me nervous too! Someone I know gave birth this week in the hospital I'm due to give birth in and hers and her partners test took 40 hours to come back, she was discharged with baby before they got the results!

[Glendaruel]

Due in couple weeks, most of my family don't really get it and try and compare it to their own experience and make it okay. One did text me and said this is shit, which was exactly what I needed, just to have someone say, I understand. It's the not knowing that makes it worse.

[wavecatcher]

No I don't think they will, it's been recognised this is so unfair on so many mums to be a and huge cause of stress. I think they will keep the current restrictions.

[Inkpaperstars]

I hope no one blames me for getting pregnant during covid. It was my absolute last chance after traumatic loss and needing IVF. I was told by the doctors every single month counted. Many others couldn't wait for similar reasons. Even those who could wait, don't know how long they will end up waiting. If I was much younger I probably would have given it till next year to see what happened. Also as a pp said, many are unplanned.

Our trust has just changed policy and allowed partners at scans too, I don't think that was in response to csses falling as they weren't really. I expect it will change again now though, which is a shame but I completely understand and accept it. DP said earlier he wouldnt want to risk going in and potentially raising the risks to any other patients.

[GanderousGoose]

@physicskate completely agree. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are, nobody is more or less deserving of sympathy and support if they have to labour alone. Such holier than thou attitudes and lack of compassion! It's rubbish if you're due in the next few weeks and may have to labour alone and you have my utmost sympathy but you're not in any position to judge anyone else and withholding sympathy for those who will have to go through it too is frankly shit.

[Grumpy19]

I agree with you @FtmNov22. How many women will give birth alone with partners shut out waiting for a delayed 'rapid' test. If you have quick labours you'll be alone.
I did get pregnant during the first lockdown (unplanned)but don't feel I deserve to be on my own during labour because of it!

[Aprilbaby21]

Im in 2 minds..

I deliberately got pregnant during covid because i had fertility treatment, for numerous reasons, it was a now or never.

But i do tend to moan less about the restrictions as i knew what i was getting myself into...
But thats me, and it doesnt mean im less sympathetic to others that got pregnant during covid and i think thats a pretty harsh attitude...

After all, there is more to life than flaming covid!!!

[Grumpy19]

Just to add, if I wasn't high risk I'd definitely be planning a homebirth and if I think I'll end up alone (in a hospital I hate) I'll probably go against consultant advice and have one anyway!