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Covid

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Original poster

Giving birth during a lockdown?

9 replies

winterbabyrose · 07/12/2021 16:31

Did anyone give birth during one of the full lockdowns that we have had here in the UK? If so, what were the restrictions like within the hospital when you went to give birth?

Reason I ask, is I am due our first in January and obviously I am PRAYING that we don't go into another lockdown with this new variant, (I also don't think we will, but given the Governments previous tack of doing a complete 180, I guess it isn't totally out of the question) but I am curious as to what the worse case scenario in terms of hospital restrictions could be. Nervous about my DH not being able to be with me etc etc. Or what the process could be when it comes to labour during a full lockdown. Can your birthing partner be with you? Did you have to go it alone? Where there limits on what you could/couldn't use in terms of aids etc? Did you have to wear a mask for part of the labour? Etc. Being a FTM I am nervous about the possible prospect of not having my DH there with me the whole time.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Covidwoes · 07/12/2021 16:37

Yes me, in January this year! Partner was allowed in before and during labour (masked). He wasn't allowed on the ward afterwards, then could only visit for two hours a day. Thankfully I wasn't in for long.

WhenSepEnds · 07/12/2021 16:40

@winterbabyrose

Did anyone give birth during one of the full lockdowns that we have had here in the UK? If so, what were the restrictions like within the hospital when you went to give birth?

Thanks in advance

Yeah I did. Husband could come. We had to have masks on if there were staff in our room but could have no mask when it was just us. Husband could be there the whole time. No visitors though, I had to stay in for two weeks with a bay as he was 6 weeks premature and needed some time in neo natal.shelf and my husband could be there 24/7 any times we wanted but no other visitors. They were really strict on making sure you washed your hands on the way in the ward, befor me and after touching the baby and washing hands everytime after using our phones. Had to wear the masks they gave us, not our own

Overthebow · 07/12/2021 16:41

Yes, summer 2020. DH was allowed in once I was in active labour but not before that or whilst I was being assessed. He was there for the actual birth but had to leave before I was transferred to the ward and no visitors at all were allowed on the ward so I was completely alone with newborn baby for two days. Midwives too busy to help much. DH had to wear a mask, I didn’t. Pretty much zero health visitor help once home and no breast feeding support. It was shit tbh, I’m not considering having another until the pandemic is completely over as not risking going through that again.

QforCucumber · 07/12/2021 16:43

June last year, one of the big 1st lockdowns, Went in to be induced - phoned husband as soon as they had a delivery room for me, he arrived and baby was born 45 mins later at 6:40. DH was allowed to stay with us in the room until around 9pm when we were moved to the ward, had overnight stay and then he came to pick us up at 10am to take us home - Nurses carried my bags and new DS to the doors where DH greeted us with the car seat.

The staff were amazing, I did not need a mask at all as I was an in patient - DH had to wear his, but once DS was born everyone left the room and we were alone for an hour or so - he took it off then and we took some photos, phoned parents etc.

Tee20x · 07/12/2021 16:44

I did in Jan 2021. Was induced so parter was allowed on antenatal ward all day up until visiting times ended at 8pm (I was there a while). When I was in active labour he was allowed to be there overnight and up until delivery. He was also allowed with me on the postnatal ward between 9-9.

wonderstuff123 · 07/12/2021 16:47

Hey,I had my baby at the end of May 2020. I had a maternal c section though so my experience may be different to others.

I had to go onto the ward on my own,get ready whilst husband waited in car. Then I was first on the list so I called him as I was going down to theatre and he met me there. We didn't have to wear masks at that point. He stayed with me in the surgery whilst I was prepped then got to stay for about 45 mins after she was born.

Hardest part was after he left because I couldn't feel my legs! But I had my baby next to me anyway.
And the midwife I had during the day was amazing (as this was in a trust that's had a LOT of problems) I made sure I did everything to make sure I could be discharged the next day and when it got to 4pm and I was still waiting,I basically told them I was going in the next hour! Then everything got sorted for discharge.

I think the biggest challenge,and I think this continues,is the fact that different trusts have different rules. So I know 1 hospital was telling partners they couldn't be there for a c section. I found Birthrights and RCM to be invaluable for advice on my rights and the ever changing restrictions. I followed them religiously on Twitter and signed up to emails.

I can't imagine how nerve wracking it will be being a first time mum but you will get through it. Don't be afraid to ask questions/ask for help but be understanding as well s midwifery is a bloody hard job at the moment. Good luck xx

FoxIvy · 07/12/2021 16:51

I did, it was completely fine. They were keen to get us home quickly which was even better (having experienced a post natal ward first time round). They even told me to take my mask off at one point. My only advice would be if you have a high pain threshold make sure you push for an exam or big up your contractions a bit - both times I was about 9cm when they assumed I was perhaps 3cm and it would have been rubbish to not have my husband at that point.

Bobholll · 07/12/2021 18:10

Yep. It was fine, in hospital it felt really normal bar the masks. DD2 was born in late March 2020, wonderful timing 🙈

My OH was only allowed in when I was in established labour (4cm). Luckily, I’d stayed at home for a while and when we arrived, I was 5cm! OH had to wear a mask but we were told he could take it off for short periods if he got too hot & needed a break. And for photos as well.

OH could only stay for a couple hours after birth but it was 3am so he went home for some sleep while I got cleaned up & moved to a ward. He was allowed back but I think that wasn’t the case in most hospitals. I had a private room (I just got put in one) & so we were very isolated from anyone. He couldn’t leave tho, if he did, he couldn’t come back. So he came about 10am & left at 2pm. We had DD1 at home so we would have done something similar anyway! I quite enjoyed my couple days in hospital. I got brought food & drink. OH made sure I had nice snacks to hand as well. I had help with my baba. The midwives popped in for chats. DD2 was sleepy so I watched movies & TV on my iPad. It’s the most rest is had in about 9 months with a toddler at home 🤣

The midwives are brilliant. Any bits you have to do alone will be fine I promise!

CalmDownBoris72 · 07/12/2021 18:22

Yes, early April 2020. It was full on fear mode then. It was awful. But, even then partners were allowed in for the birth. In hospital only the mother was allowed in if you arrived during labour, then you were examined and if in established labour your partner could join you.

My daughter was born at home and I did find it very different compared to my previous births in terms of the care given, everything was having to be thought about as opposed to happening organically. I guess the same can be said for hospital births too.

Good luck x

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