Masks in childbirth?

[NotYetBaby]

Now that the government has announced that masks are compulsory in hospitals as of 15 June, will we be expected to wear them when we give birth? This has really panicked me!

I have been wondering the same... And hoping the answer is no! Hopefully someone in the know will be along to comment soon.

The gov website says outpatients... I would assume women in labour would be classed as inpatients?
I’m really struggling with masks, I used to have panic attacks and wearing a mask really triggers that feeling. I’m practising at home for short periods of time!

I highly doubt it - how would you use gas and air etc. But yeah labouring women are in patients. Maybe would need to wear for scans or opd clinics/monitoring.

I had to wear one for my c section and when in recovery that was a couple of weeks back.

I'm worried about this! I'm due for a section in 4 weeks and with all the stuff around you when in theatre I'm anxious a mask will make me feel suffocated. Also theres a worry of communicating wrong. When speaking with the midwife I struggle to hear properly sometimes, so I hope it doesnt effect that!
I cant see how they could use them for a normal delivery though! You may need gas and air, breathing techniques etc...
Fingers crossed!

I asked my midwife this on Monday and she said "we have more of a fight over anything trying to ask ladies to use masks so we abandoned the masks"

@em90792 I had the same feeling, I'm really claustrophobic. The doctors let me take it off in theatre but made me put it back on in recovery, which by that point I really didn't care to be honest.

I'm booked in for a c section in 2 weeks time. I'm fully expecting to have to wear one, and for the most part happy to, but I was sick in theatre last time, so that's not so good 😐

We were asked to wear them fior CS in May...I had mine on until the baby came out then the anaesthetist helped me take it off so I could kiss the baby & it didn’t go back on the entire stay (except when I walked down the hall to leave!!))