St Mary’s Hospital Manchester - not allowing partners to scans

[MrsRose2018]

Hi ladies,

This is more just an FYI for anyone delivering there!

St Mary’s have just confirmed no Partners are allowed to accompany mother’s for ANY scans - 12 week/growth scans etc. Also not allowed to accompany mothers for other tests such as gestational diabetes etc.

Still allowed in for the birth though (small mercies).

DH/I am obviously gutted he can’t be there for my growth scans but 🤷‍♀️ Greater good I guess...

😢

Xx

Same at St George’s in London as of last Thursday. I’m devastated DH won’t be with me at the anomaly scan in any event but have diagnosed pre existing anxiety disorder which has got worse during pregnancy and substantially in the last couple of weeks for obvious reasons. Im sad from a sentimental perspective but mostly terrified there’ll be something wrong with the baby and he won’t be there.

Personally I think it’s mad - we have a small 2 bed flat and any infection he’s brewing I’ll be brewing too - but I think this is the case at most hospitals now.

@Dollywilde I’m so sorry to hear that!

I’ve got anxiety and a “bipolar” condition called cyclthymia- I was on long term meds prior to this pregnancy. Also have a MC last year so can totally understand how awful you must feel!

I’m trying to not bitch and moan because I know the measures aren’t there no reason but... like you it’s me and DH in our house alone. I guess it’s because if they set out exceptions any pregnant and scared women may lie and say “it’s just her an DH isolating alone at home” when really that’s not the case...

I hope everything goes well at your 20 week scan! Mines a growth scan cos I’ve got a high BMI so similarly hoping things are ok

Xx

Thanks @mrsrose2018, I’m sorry you’re in a similar boat. It sucks doesn’t it . Xx

I think this is the case at most hospitals across the UK now.
I had my 20 week scan on Thursday and had to go alone. I was nervous but, as it happened, it turned out to be a lovely chilled out experience.
All the women in the waiting room were in exactly the same position and the sonographer was lovely. She totally put me at ease.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there about being unable to make any exceptions. it sucks but I do think it's for the best to keep all of us (and the staff themselves) as safe as possible x

@MrsRose2018 Can I ask, where did you get this information from? I’ve not heard anything from this hospital so far

Hi @Hoping11

The attached is on their Twitter page right now and there is a comment from someone specifically asking whether partners can go to scans/apps etc. St Mary’s hospital have replied and said no but they can for births xx

I have a growth scan on Tuesday at wythenshawe and have been told I have to go on my own I only knew this cause my midwife called to check for me xx

I’ve just been told for my first scan I have to go alone, I’m in the North west too!

Our local hospital is the same.
I don’t mind going alone (even after having bad news at previous scans twice) just a shame for my dh as the scans are a nice chance to be involved.

Oh and I’m in the east.

Does anyone know what's happening at Liverpool Women's?

It's a national directive across all NHS hospitals.
It's to stop footfall through the hospitals.

No big loss for the gestational diabetes, it's the mos boring thing I had to endure, except for the actual lockdown...

Can you have some photos and print it at the very least for your partner and family?

I think all hospitals don't allow anyone for the scans and visits. They have limited space in waiting area and want mothers to be able to practice social distancing, so avoiding crowds inside. Plus, less people in less chances of bringing the virus in the hospital, where a lot of pregnant ladies are.

You can have some photos of the scans. I heard lots of ladies were given at least one photo for free, my hospital does this. Others had loads of photos for free too, so at least they can share this way with their family.

I wonder if this is just for actual at Mary's hospital or for all the other centres that fall under in - I get my scans done at lance burn health centre so not sure!

My friend just habe birth in Prague and had to deliver alone. She had been depending on her Czech husband for language support so I think she is amazing. We women are incredible and we will survive these trying times but I do feel real sympathy for anyone who is pregnant at the moment and I'm very practical by nature and not always the most sympathetic sort Good luck

@Miltonj it's a national directive so pretty sure it applies to all hospitals/centres in the UK

Yeh I’m not bothered about my GD test in two weeks! I’ll just bring my iPad and download a book/movie for the wait!

I’ve heard some women say that the two hour wait after the glucose drink is being abandoned in some hospitals as it wasn’t practical for isolation purposes having them sat around in the hospital... we shall see!

Judging by the absolute belting I’m getting every day almost all day I’m not too concerned that something is wrong development wise (fingers crossed 🤞) but like another poster I’m sad for my husband as it was his chance to have a sneak peak of his son!

Hopefully photos will be an option and baby is compliant - photos were not possible on last 2 occasions as he wouldn’t keep still/was face down ass up 😂

Let’s just hope things don’t really go to shit as if I had to deliver without him omg... xx

Yes I think now it is a policy across all hospitals now that partners cannot a company you to scans/appointments. It is sad but I can also understand how important it is for staff and other pregnant women in the department x

@Bezalelle just to confirm this is the same at the liverpool women's - they've got some helpful info on their website about all the new rules.

we've got a growth scan & twin clinic next week for our twinnies and my poor DH is going to have to sit out in the car park while he waits for me as otherwise i won't be able to get home! i've got my GD test at Aintree the day after too... lots of waiting around in the car in DH's future.

@MrsRose2018 can I ask have you had your growth scan and if so could you still get a picture printed? I’ve got a growth scan at 31+4 tomorrow and hoping it will be an option x