Labour & Birth in Lockdown

[phillips30]

Hello all,

I'm due to have my baby in just over a weeks time. I have a child from a previous relationship and the plan had been for her to stay at her dads house whilst I am in labour and having the baby. My childs dad is now refusing to have them during the lockdown. I am really unclear on what to do with my child now when i am in labour. My sister lives a 1 minute walk around the corner from me and has offered to lookm after my child for me but I don't know if this is allowed? Would this be seen as an exception meaning that I could take up my sisters offer? I really want my husband with me during labour and birth and he really doesn't want to miss his childs birth, but if I can't use my sister as childcare then he will have to stay at home with my child. I am absolutely terrified that I am going to have to go through this alone :(

You won't be alone, you will be with a midwife who will support you. The situation is horrible and I really feel for you but you can do this, trust me you can.

I'm so sorry that you are even having to do this.

I’m 30w at the moment and quite worried that I will have to go through the birth without my husband. A friend is currently 36w and she has been told to be prepared to have no birthing partner with her. It’s bad enough that my husband potential won’t be there but now I am also beating myself up that my baby will be born into the whole mess and be potentially at risk. I’m so upset that my dad won’t get to meet his granddaughter for weeks 😔 it’s just all getting a bit much!

I've watched the corona virus report today and a GP on the BBC questions answered part has soothed my mind somewhat. He said that it is not a wise idea to send children to grandparents to be looked after whilst I am in labour, but if you can find someone of less risk then that is fine as it is completely understandable to need childcare so your partner can be with you as long as good hand washing procedures etc are followed. My daughter will be going to my sisters house which is a 2 minute walk around the corner from my house. I've just seen that my hospital has said that my husband can only be with me whilst in active labour and will have to go home afterwards. I'm really hoping for a smooth labour so that I don't have to stay in the hospital for too long afterwards, its heartbreaking to think that if I had to stay in for 3 days afterwards that he won't see our daughter until she is brought home. My next task is figuring out how I will get to/from the hospital as neither of us drive! I hope your labour goes smoothly for you :)

I hope people stick to staying at home so that we can get through this quicker, It's horrid to think that potentially family won't be able to meet the new arrival for weeks!