How many people are allowed in the delivery room UK?

[Miajesse97]

hey ladies I was just curious to know how many birthing partners your allowed? As my partner and mum and I'm there without a doubt but my older sister is desperate to be in the room ? Is 3 allowed? I understand with c section only 1 but what about natural?

Mum and partner are in there without a doubt*

Best to check with your hospital to see what their policy is. A friend had her partner, her mum & her sister in here without any problems but I know it depends how risky your birth is considered to be

only two as far as Ive always been aware.

In my area, hospital policy is 2 but some hospitals can be flexible. Call your maternity unit and ask xx

I would check with your hospital but with mine in the birth centre in the hospital there wasn't a limit (as long as you didn't have a football club and people were not in the way etc) but in the labour ward 2 was the max and 1 for c-section

In my hospital it was one birth partner only so you wouldn’t have been able to have your Mum and your partner there.

Without wanting to stir, surely it's about what you want/need and not what your sister wants?

I thought it was always two, it was when I gave birth last year but different places might have different rules.

Once you’ve got the bed and any other birthing equipment in, plus the place for midwives to work, gas and air outlets, all your belongings and a bed for the baby there isn’t much room.

Plus there will likely be 1 chair, maybe two - where will the other person sit? What about when the miswife’s in? This could be for hours and hours.

If you need forceps or something then there really won’t be room as that’s at least 2 more people coming in.

I’m sure most places would let your sister visit for a bit but imho even two birth partners is too many. It can be very dull! The last thing I would have wanted when in pain would be to hear 3 others chattering amongst themselves.

Our hospital is max 2 but if they tell you to get out you get kicked out and then only one is allowed back in and it must he parent of baby or birth partner.

Had two birthday in two different areasjust and was only allowed one birthing partner

Usually 2 (I’ve been in 3 hospitals) and only 1 if you have to go into theatre. They are normally small rooms so 3 is a lot of people.

My hospital was 2. And no swapping in and out allowed.

Do you want her there?

It's 2, lovely. Most women chose their husband and mum. Best of luck x

My hospital doesn't have a limit so it would be best to ask. Last time I just had 2 and will be the same again but my sister had 3 (mum, partner and sister). When my she had a C section it's just one in the operating theatre but was also able to have another person in her room before and after.

Most women chose their husband and mum - really ? - I've never known anyone want their mum as a birthing partner (unless they don't have a DH/DP).

Ragwort
I'm only 20 so my mum is still a massive part of my life and best friend so I wouldn't be able to go through it without her 😌

Was only one in mine and no swapping about was allowed.

so I wouldn't be able to go through it without her 😌

You would.

What Ragwort said. I have only ever known people have their mum as their birthing partner if they had split from their partner. So no I wouldn’t agree that “most women chose their husband and mum” (although obviously fine if that’s what you want and the hospital allow it).

I had two one was unfortunately my dad - this was not planned at all but two hospitals I’ve worked in only allow one.
A lot allow 2 but I’ve never heard of 3 being allowed.

Good luck anyway you’ll be fine x

Must add my mum was my other birthing partner!

In the midwife led unit I gave birth to my 2 DC in, there was only one allowed. And there was no waiting area, just birthing suites and post natal wards, so it really was just the one.

We were told only 2, but I think it's case by case. They don't want a rowdy bunch. So say three. But if the family looks respectable they allow it.