COVID - Birth in Edinburgh / Lothians - Partners

[OnNaturesCourse]

Has anyone given birth, or know what I can expect, giving birth in Edinburgh / Lothians regarding birth partners?

I've asked my local midwife and she's a bit clueless (I'm going into a different health board area to give birth)

I am wondering : if my partner can be there throughout, including if I am induced? And what happens after birth?

I have an enormous fear of hospitals stays. With my first we were kindly given a side room so DP stayed throughout the whole induction (3 days) and birth. Understand this might not be possible now but I'm trying to prepare myself by knowing what could happen.

I checked this with my midwife today (due in 6 weeks). I'm having a C-section though (Royal Infirmary) so the info I have was specific to that (partners are allowed at that).

But at least relevant for you is the post-natal bit - partners are allowed on the post-natal ward between 1-8pm, which had me pleasantly surprised!

Thank you for posting that.

The post natal is surprising but I am hoping I'm not on the ward too long afterwards.

My other concern is home is about a hour or so away from hospital so I really don't want DP being sent away.

Hi OP

I'm not sure if we may have the same community midwife as she's unfortunately not been much help either with the ERI rules but I had done some digging as I was concerned and it appears that partners are allowed during inductions and labour and also on the ward between 1-8pm.

I believe that post natal it is about 2hrs they can stay and then after that they get sent home unless you are in a private room.

I have heard from a couple of people that have been in that the midwifes in the ERI have been very good during Covid and that they are trying to give women the best possible experience during a shitty time so I think you'll be ok.

Also incidentally, heard that they are offering a Covid test to women (and potentially partners) on admission. I was advised to say I didn't want one as had no symptoms as if you come up positive they won't allow partner in. This is only hearsay though....

I think it very much depends on your hospital.

My hospital is allowing partners 24/7 on the labour ward, so they can be there right from the off. Then it is 9-9 on the post labour ward. So the rules are very good...

@MrsKnightley53

Hi OP

I'm not sure if we may have the same community midwife as she's unfortunately not been much help either with the ERI rules but I had done some digging as I was concerned and it appears that partners are allowed during inductions and labour and also on the ward between 1-8pm.

I believe that post natal it is about 2hrs they can stay and then after that they get sent home unless you are in a private room.

I have heard from a couple of people that have been in that the midwifes in the ERI have been very good during Covid and that they are trying to give women the best possible experience during a shitty time so I think you'll be ok.

Also incidentally, heard that they are offering a Covid test to women (and potentially partners) on admission. I was advised to say I didn't want one as had no symptoms as if you come up positive they won't allow partner in. This is only hearsay though....

This is exactly what happened really.

My waters broke naturally so I can only confirm my experience but thought I would incase anyone else is looking for info.

My partner was allowed to stay with me through triage and in the delivery room. We were offered covid tests on arrival to the delivery room, and were advised we could also request a test upon leaving the room if we preferred.

They are asking a lot of the mothers if they'd like discharged from the delivery room, assuming all is well. In my case we had to wait a minimum of 6 hours for baby to have the newborn tests and heating checks done - these need to be done after 6 hours to check on the heart and my local team of midwifes were able to do them at home (so I'd assume this varies from team to team, and if your team can do them you could potentially get home even quicker) They also wanted me to empty my bladder and have my BP/temp checked, and for baby to attempt a feed.

There were signs up saying ALL post natal visiting was suspended including birth partners on the post natal ward unless under special circumstances. Basically I think it all depends on how long they think you'll be in for, and how busy the ward is.

Partners should be wearing masks but they aren't pushing this, although my partner had his mask on the whole time anyone else was in the room... Whenever someone entered the room there wasn't an immediate push for his mask to be back on, but that could be because they could see he was putting it back on as soon as he needed to. I had my mask on in triage until on gas and air, I never put it back on after delivery.

All in all it was a pretty normal experience aside from my poor partner feeling the heat a bit more than usual because of the mask, and being discharged so quickly. I'd definitely say to anyone going in not to worry, and the midwifes will do so much to support you and take your requests into account. (ie I wanted out of there ASAP as didn't want to be without my partner)

Hi OP

Firstly, congratulations!!! I'm so pleased everything went so smoothly for you.

Im expecting to be in any day now so I really appreciate you taking the time to confirm how it went as it's put my mind at rest, especially when you've never had a baby before never mind in a pandemic!

Yeah I think the midwives are happy to get people out quickly if that's what they want. I'd much prefer to be out quickly and have my partner there rather than be sat on a hot and noisy post natal ward. Simpsons always has pretty good feedback from everyone.

Enjoy your lovely baby and relax at home 😘

@MrsKnightley53 I'm glad I could help put your mind at rest, and I hope everything goes smoothly for you. If you get midwifes by the name of Kirsty (triage) or Shona (birth Centre) then you will be grand. They were absolutely amazing.