Labour and Masks?

[Dreamcatcher34]

So I have a scan in a few days and an admin lady from the hospital just rang me to ask the questions, check I don’t have symptoms etc. She said from Monday anyone entering a hospital must wear a face mask. I asked if it meant I will have to wear one in labour in a few months time and she said yes.

I don’t see how that’s possible. I will be roasting hot, struggling with my breathing as it is and wearing a mask. Sounds awful. Also, how can I use gas and air with a mask on?

Starting to flap even though it’s a few months off.

Personally I don't really see that any midwife or doctor will be able to make a woman in labour keep one on think it would be too much of a battle and too much stress for all involved. I heard it was just all appointments not labour or even inpatients as if admitted which women in labour are you are given a covid test x

I can't imagine them making women wear masks during labour... What about if they need gas and air?
Also, the government said masks for outpatients and visitors in hospitals... This wouldn't include women in labour

I don’t see this happening, it seems cruel/impossible if you want gas & air?? Had my baby on the 20th April (so during the peak) and some midwives that came in our room weren’t wearing masks!

As mummy said above, pregnant women are being tested as a matter of urgency as it affects care giving, risks associated with needing an emcs and so on. Ask your midwife when you next see them to put your mind at ease, also hopefully the situation will be less terrible by the time you're in labour.

She probably just said yes as that's the official line, in reality (hopefully in a few months things will be a bit different anyway) I very much doubt they will forcibly be putting your mask back on if you take it off. My friend had a baby last week and the midwives are wearing PPE and she was tested, she didn't have to wear any.

Have the government released their guidance on this yet? I did see something that said “whilst No one will be refused care...”
Labour isn’t an outpatient appt so maybe it won’t apply. I shall not be wearing one in labour - I’d give birth in the car park first.

That’s reassuring, as I too would be in the car park. I can’t stand things on my face on a normal day, let alone when there’s a person coming out of me.

My Dsis had a c section during the peak. She was tested beforehand, negative result. No mask required. They can't make you wear a mask during labour. Good luck to them trying to enforce that. No gas and air? What if you vomit? When you're in the throes and trying to breathe they can't expect you to centre control over something unnatural covering your mouth and nose.

I dont know if every hospital is the same, but my local hospital published guidance to say you wont need to wear a mask in the labour room, but that if you need to leave the room for any reason that you will be asked to wear one.

I work in a hospital that has said women don't need to wear masks while in active labour.

RCOG have now clarified no masks necessary in labour