Changing hospital guidelines in maternity units.

[SpaceDinosaur]

That’s just it really.

I’m 19+5 and second pregnancy. I had pre eclampsia last time.
I still haven’t heard baby’s heart beat. My BP has been taken twice in all of my appts.

My trust are (understandably) saying only the mother can attend any appointments. So no partner at the scans. Disappointing but understandable. No partner any time except labour and delivery.

They have withdrawn the ability to opt for a home birth. Again, understandable.

I have now heard from two separate sources that a hospital relatively local to me has said that no partner for labour and delivery. I can not verify this on the relevant websites of the hospital in question but I’m worried.

I’m 20 weeks off. Ish. I know it’s a “long” time but I am worried. I will not be going in to deliver alone. I need someone to shield me from the examinations, conversations, interfering and unnecessary bull shit. I had my first, silently, no pain medication, no examination, no touching me and I need to be left alone. My husband enables that and ran interference for me throughout.

I know that I honestly won’t go in if I have to be left and that’s bloody irresponsible.

Has anyone else found themselves worrying about this?

It's a worrying, shitty time. I get it, I'm in a similar position but...

If you had pre-eclampsia last time then you're at an increased risk of having it again. Home births are being discouraged because they are concerned that busy ambulances may not be able to get there quickly if you need them. Birth partner or not; go to hospital to deliver. It's best for you and best for baby.

I know I’m at risk of getting Pre Eclampsia again. The consultant put me on baby aspirin and passed me back to the midwives.

I also wouldn’t usually contemplate a home birth but interference, intervention, “get on the bed so we can examine you” “we’ll break your waters now” (all things demanded of me in my first labour and refused but only listened to when my husband reiterated and cited my birth rights) is not better for me or for the baby.

Oh, and I know it’s not a home birth I’m talking about. I wouldn’t qualify. It’s a free birth. Which is even less ideal as there’s no MW present.

You’re only 20weeks, surely the restrictions may have been lifted by the time you go in?

With your history the consultant may offer you an induction date. Take it. You can then explain your birth plan to the midwives while you are able to — retreating into yourself is a natural part of the birth process for some women and midwives are aware of it and like to enable it as much as possible. Discuss what you will (and won’t) consent to and write it down and they will try to make things work. Just be aware that not doing some things may lead to interventions but they will explain what happens. For example I said no to ctg monitoring as I didn’t want the mw to ‘chip’ the baby so they said in that case if there was any dip in his heart rate I would be rushed to theatre which was fine with me.

See if your hospital has a midwife-led unit if you prefer a calmer less invasive environment.

Honestly though, I think the risks of free-birth are much higher than being I hospital and not having your ideal calm birth. Please talk this through with your midwife.

They can’t deny you a birth partner, unless something absolutely major happens, I’ve been researching it! The uk birthrights have written a whole document about it.

I’m in a similar situation, I had shoulder dystocia, retained placenta and haemorrhaging with my last labour, which means I’m not allowed a home birth (even if they were still happening) and midwife led units reject me due to the issues. I have no doubts the hospital treatment I received last time contributed heavily to the issues I suffered. Midwives not listening, forcing me into an epidural and threatening forceps after only pushing for 10 minutes to name a few! I NEED my husband there to advocate for me. And I would be tempted to not go in as well if they said no birth partners. But as I said as far as I know it’s a legal right to have a birth partner and if they were going to change it they would have done already (and the backlash would have changed their minds pretty quickly anyway.

I’m due in 8 weeks but not expecting to go longer than another 6 weeks.

Every bit of research concludes the same thing, that birthing partners reduce the need for intervention and mentally and physically benefit both mother and baby. The royal colleges (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Royal College of Midwives) have all said that the recommendations of having a birth partner far outweigh the risk of any potential infection, and it poses a significant threat to life should they try to enforce a no birth partner ruling.

This petition also has over 300,000 signatures and so I believe it now can’t be ignored by the government

www.change.org/p/nhs-protect-the-right-to-have-a-birth-partner-during-covid-19

And this is the statement from birthrights

www.birthrights.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Final-Covid-19-Birthrights-31.3.20.pdf

No hospital in the uk AFIK is refusing a birthing partner for established labour. It goes against all guidance currently published. I have been following this intently as I’m due on Saturday with my first baby. Yes no partners to antenatal appointments or postnatal ward but birthing partners ARE allowed during active labour and the recovery.

Hopefully by the time you are due to give birth things we be more relaxed.

Thank you all. Especially @kittykat7210 you’ve been really helpful and I’m glad I asked.

I was denied the MWLU last time (same hospital, simply the floor below!) as I had a pessary induction because of my BP. In an ideal world that’s where I would want to be. Delivery is ruled by doctors, drugs and intervention. I want no part of it.

I really hope that I’m worrying unnecessarily and that the two sources are mistaken. They couldn’t offer any more than word of mouth and seemed to take some sick pleasure in passing on the bad news.

Deep breaths, positive mentality and informed partners.

All I needed last time.

I don’t know of any trust refusing birth partners. In the trusts near me, 1 birth partner is permitted in active labour, but not on the postnatal ward.

I am having an elective section towards the end of August and hoping things have settled a bit by then.

In addition, I may have just been very lucky, but with my first birth, the MLU was full, so I ended up on the central delivery unit. They were still so supportive of all my wishes - we had our LED candles on, music, lavender oil etc, and they were supportive of me declining examinations etc too. It may just be ‘luck’ as to who you get caring for you on the day, and you may be luckier this time.

I know this is a scary time but loads of people seem to thrive on spreading misinformation and fear.

You're only 20 weeks, the whole world changed in the last 2 weeks! Try to stay calm and keep talking to your midwives about your wishes and other ways these could be met in the event the situation changes.

You could also talk to a private midwife if that provide you some reassurance and continuity.

I had my baby last week and was allowed a birth partner from the point I was in active labour (so 4cm) to the point I delivered.
No one was allowed on the ward at all so I had to carry all my own bags and the car seat down to the car which was a pain but they were discharging people as soon as was safe and sensible so I was there less than 12 hours.
It was a bit lonely not having dp there afterwards but honestly not the end of the world and it was quite nice having peace and privacy to get breastfeeding established. The midwives were very helpful and understanding compared to when I had my first too.
This could all change before you have your baby and probably will but I just wanted to give you a positive take on it. Try not to worry until you're closer to the time. Good luck!

In an ideal world you'd get your dream birth
. Sadly now we're far from ideal.
So in effect if the situation remains you'd have 2 choices labour with medical support and increased odds of success. Don't because of your principles and accept the outcome maybe negative.
Which is more important? The journey or the destination?

If you can't find out on the website just call the unit and ask?
I agree with pp so much has changed in the last 2 weeks I wouldn't get wound up about 20 weeks time yet. I'm 31 weeks and trying not to think about it for a few more weeks myself.

I would also recommend speaking to a midwife about your concerns re advocacy and wanting a free labour so they can talk through options and make sure your wants are well documented

There is so much misinformation floating around on social media, please dont take it as gospel. Look at the official hospital or local NHS pages (possibly on facebook) and see what they are saying. Ignore screenshots and messages on your local pages unless they give the official source.

@Whatelsecouldibecalled
Our hospital isn’t allowing anyone.I asked when I had to go in with reduced movements. I would just call them and ask. I’m due Sunday and have now just resigned to this. They’ve also shut everything bar consultant unit.

For OP, you really are miles off, chances are by the time you pop it’ll be back to normal. Things are changing daily currently. I went from having a homebirth, to them all being suspended, to having the MLU, to that being closed, to having hospital, to now being on my own in hospital on a consultant unit. Everything I didn’t want. All within the last two weeks.

@rosehip345 what trust is this please?

@SoloMummy rights are not principles. For me the “journey” is just as important as thedestination”. People who cite “at least baby’s healthy” clearly don’t place the mothers mental or physical health at the same importance as the baby. Mothers are not second place.

@pantsforhats as much as a private midwife would be incredible, my husband is furloughed, I’m self employed and my business has had to cease until further notice. We’re currently stretching 80% of one salary to cover the work of two and are fortunate enough that we can tighten our belts enough to manage that but a private midwife is simply not an option available to us at present.

I think you need to stop worrying about something that's 20 weeks away. It's not good for you or baby.
I'm 5 weeks away from a scheduled section and I refuse to worry because 5 weeks is a long time and things are changing rapidly.

@SpaceDinosaur
Then I think you're going to need a change of mindset!

Guidance is birth partner for active labour so I would be challenging a trust that goes against that. Midwives should now be wearing fluid resistant surgical masks and as partner is likely to live at same address the added risk is minimal! Partner cannot come if symptomatic or self isolating but otherwise guidance is for one birth partner.

[quote SoloMummy]@SpaceDinosaur
Then I think you're going to need a change of mindset![/quote]
Hey!
So, didn't change my mindset but thanks for the positivity.
Refused induction
Everything was fine and healthy.
Gave birth naturally and drug free in hospital at 40+17 having protected my birth space and declined examinations and interfering.

I'm surprised you're worried about birthing without a midwife as you clearly think you know best anyway and don't require any assistance.