Covid and birthing partners

[Wingingit07]

AIBU to not be able to understand why birthing partner rules haven't relaxed with COVID 19?

The same rules have been in place regarding 1 birthing partner in active Labor only since March and so much else has changed on relaxing rules. I can have my hair cut and have a hairdresser around my face for an hour but can't step near within 1m of my parents or have my partner at hospital before 4cm dilated or more then an hour after birth. Seeing all these people at the beach and streets crowded with pub goers but still no change.

Whilst I understand it is to protect NHS staff surely all these people not social distancing isn't going to result in protecting the staff? If my partner is isolating with me, what difference will it make him being on the ward for 2 hours compared to being there the whole time with me I'm really confused and open to understand why it is still so strict?

Whilst I understand it is to protect NHS staff

There's a "but" after this..?

Depends where you are I think. Where I am birth partners are now allowed in with you at all stages of labour, including the induction process.

It's still 4cm to be allowed a partner in my area, I m not due till October but I m avoiding social media as it's making me less hopeful of the situation if I need to be induced or monitored before 4cms.

It's my first baby so don't know what to expect but I m comfortable with the idea of examinations, it must be awful for mums that would prefer not to have them because of past trauma and make themselves do it to meet that 4cm criteria.

@gindaddyredux

'surely all these people not social distancing isn't going to result in protecting the staff? If my partner is isolating with me, what difference will it make him being on the ward for 2 hours compared to being there the whole time with me I'm really confused and open to understand why it is still so strict?'.... That is the but? 🙄