WWYD having a baby in lockdown...

[oflancs]

WWYD? Baby due in the next few weeks. Family members who could look after toddler while DH and I are in hospital all live so far away that they would have to stay overnight. Can they come and stay for this purpose? Surely an exceptional circumstance as a toddler is clearly vulnerable and cannot be left alone? I know I could in theory give birth alone but how awful is that. And against all the guidance on the need for birth partners even during COVID due to the positive effects for both mothers and babies.

I had a baby 3 weeks ago and my 2 little boys stayed at my parents overnight. We all isolated for weeks beforehand x

I think that's absolutely fine. I wouldn't hesitate in having them stay to help 😊

My local Trust's official guidance on this is that it's absolutely fine but to make sure everyone involved has shielded for at least two weeks before the birth. Check with your hospital trust but I would bet anything it's the same.

But what if one or both households can’t shield?

I was told ‘it’s fine as long as both houses shield beforehand’ when I had my DS but my DF was being treated for cancer (twice weekly hospital apt’s) and my DH was a key worker. So not quite sure how we were supposed to do that.

Yes they can. My 3yo stayed over with my parents when I went into hospital to have baby - and that was during stricter lockdown 8 weeks ago.

@Pumpertrumper if you can't you can't. I think they accept that it's just not possible for everyone. Either way it comes under caring responsibilities so if you do need to it's not illegal. We didn't want to take the risk mixing households in our family regardless because so many of our family are vulnerable so I ended up birthing alone. It actually worked out really well though for us so I don't regret it but you need to do what's right for you and your family. Only you can decide that really.