Genuine question about pregnant women enquiring about partners at scans/wards

[Lalla525]

Hi all,

I have a genuine question for people hoping their partners will be allowed at scans/ in the post natal ward soon.

Aren't you worried about other peoples partners being there as well (and thus increasing your risk of getting covid)?

I am going to a lot of appointment myself (high risk pregnancy) and will stay in the antinatal ward for weeks alone before birth and then in the postnatal ward a few days if baby has problems. It will be boring and awful. However, I am so glad I won't be exposed to other people's partners that I am happy to do it on my own.

My partner is currently WFH and isolating with me, but he could be a key worker. An asymptomatic one. Would you be happy for him to visit me? If not, why are you hoping partners will be allowed there?

I don't know if it helps anyone but I had a c section on 1st April just as partners were banned from the post natal wards. Honestly - the stay after was lovely! It was a shame for my husband he wasn't allowed to stay but the wards were really quiet, the midwives had loads of time to help and it all made for a very relaxing recovery with just me and one other lady and baby.

Please don't let it frighten you - it was a very positive experience.

I’m pregnant with #4 so I’ve been around the block. My partner is a doctor. I’m dreading my booking scan - my last 12 wk scan picked up a MMC. As I’ve said on a previous thread though I accept that for the greater good my husband can’t come. If it’s not good news I’ll have to tell him. Hopefully things will have improved by December but if there is a 2nd wave then I may have to give birth alone.

I’ll do all these things because my husband is a risk to all the other pregnant woman and staff and the well-being of the many has to come before the individual.

My fellow room mates were a major factor in how crap I found it, it wasn't solely down to a lack of staff to help.

I found the the post surgery ward was lovley. Quiet peaceful, you get a bigger cubical and you can just rest and relax. No visitors and there's only ever a handful of mums in. Oh and staff are more helpful because you need it.

But oh my god. The normal postnatal ward is the worst. It's not the mums it's the visitors. Kids running around. Too many people crammed into too smaller place. Constant nattering at an insianly loud level because there are so many people.

I'm actually pleased it's ladies only. I'll probably not feel the need to down pint after pint of water so that I can have my pee and get out of there.

Hi OP,

Just wanted to say my postnatal experience post baby was in no way a dream land, but wanted to reassure you that (this was pre-Covid), the first night post EMCS I was alone due to the way some procedures fell in my hospital and the midwives and nursery nurses did help change nappies, pick up the baby before I could move more, helped me feed and I was certainly fed three meals a day and given fruit snacks between (as I was on pre-birth ward too). Do take snacks for in the night and so on. I live in a very mutli-cultural part of London, and used my local hospital, and I would definitely recommend checking all the different food menus they had. On day three I found out I'd only been given the 'English' food options, and the carribean and indian food was so much better! Real flavour, spice and the jerk chicken was just amazing!!!

If your hospital offer them I would try and get a private room as quickly as possible, as you're likely to be staying a few days they should prioritise you. At my hospital there is a cost, but it's so worth it to have your own space and toilet.

Like a few people have said, I'm sure now the process has changed and partners aren't there to help, the midwives will know that those who've had an epidural, c-section, or more difficult births will need more physical help and hopefully adapt accordingly.

Please try to not let things worry you, it's amazing what you can do when you're in the situation. x