Induction (during coronavirus)

[Babygray2020]

Has anyone UK wise, been induced with coronavirus going on.. at the hospital I’m giving birth at I’m allowed 1 named birth partner, but I’m just wondering through the induction process is that also allowed. I know things are changing rapidly every minute, but it’s my first baby & It’s very scary specially the thought of giving birth with the whole virus
Thanks again

At my local hospital you have to go into the antenatal ward alone and have the pessaries/gel there. Your birth partner can only join you when transferred to Labour Ward - so you could be on your own on antenatal for 2 days or more, be prepared for that! Local policies do vary so it's worth checking - I know some places are trying to avoid using antenatal ward and starting inductions off on LW itself so your partner can stay, BUT they don't all have space to do this. Midwives will all have PPE, and all the visiting restrictions are aimed at keeping you as safe as possible from the virus. Good luck!

As PP said, my local hospital is only allowing birth partners on delivery suite and induction can take days. A friend of mine took 6 days of induction before her partner was allowed in when she was dilated enough to go to delivery suite. She gave birth, had a couple of hours with him and baby and then was moved to postnatal and he had to go home and come back for them the next day.

Just be prepared for induction to be a slow process, anything faster is great!!

My last induction took 2 days it can be so slow I've got one Monday and fully prepared to be in for days

Can I ask about hospital food during lockdown. As inductions can take days, does the hospital still provide food as before or are there and precautions you have to take etc?

My induction is in 2 weeks and half of my hospital bag looks like a secret food stash!

Yeah, you'll still get hospital food, though it's not the nicest! Some hospitals still have small shops open (mine has M&S food!) but most of the cafes etc are shut.

I had my baby 7 weeks ago just as all this was getting serious. My sister is in labour now and has been induced and is alone. Feel so sorry for her. First baby. She is 4 weeks early so no doubt will be on the postnatal ward for a bit and no partners allowed on there. He can stay for the birth and has to leave 1 hour later. X

Had pessaries (let's call it chemical induction) with my first. She was 1 week and half overdue. IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!!

For my second, also overdue, I refused. Actually had a obstetrician tell me that she was given that option and she insisted in having c-section instead!

There are other induction techniques. Balloon, breaking the water..... I would at least try those first.

Chemical induction is painful, prolonged labour, increased chance of c-section.... I was most definitely not pushing properly... they had to use ventouse while 2 nurses pressed their whole body weight on their forearms on top of my belly.