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Original poster

Upset about having to wear a mask during labour

122 replies

Peridotty · 14/05/2020 22:51

I am upset about having to wear a surgical mask during labour and my husband has to as well! :( We are in the US.
I won't be able to see my husband's face the whole time or expression when the baby is born! It's our first. I don't think I can take it off at all during the time I am in hospital. Upset about potentially having photos taken with baby with mask on and also the fact that the first thing baby will see are our masked faces :(

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LouiseTrees · 14/05/2020 22:55

Em... are you Covid positive? Where abouts in the US are you?

ofwarren · 14/05/2020 22:56

What about if you want to use the gas and air?

Original poster
Peridotty · 14/05/2020 22:56

No I am not positive but it is the law to wear a mask outside and inside public premises. I live in Massachusetts.

OP posts:
MillicentMartha · 14/05/2020 22:56

They don’t use gas and air in the US!

Original poster
Peridotty · 14/05/2020 22:57

Gas and air has been stopped since March for the next 6 months to a year (doctor told me today). It's either nothing or epidural.

OP posts:
wtftodo · 14/05/2020 22:57

They don’t usually offer gas and air in the us, it’s rare

Original poster
Peridotty · 14/05/2020 22:58

yeah they don't usually use gas and air much here. They give epidurals for > 90% of women at my hospital!!

OP posts:
ofwarren · 14/05/2020 22:58

Wow I didn't know that about the gas a d air! Why don't they use it?

SpillTheTeaa · 14/05/2020 22:59

I was going to say what about gas and air didn't realise they don't use it in the US.
That must be hard OP and I really feel for the people who are pregnant at the moment and just had babies.
Try not to over think it. Baby's eyesight is so blurry anyway. Just think about all the lovely pictures and snuggles you will have once you get home Thanks

IvinghoeBeacon · 14/05/2020 23:00

Oh goodness they aren’t comfortable and I think I would have found it horribly distracting as well as all the other disadvantages you mention. What happens if you refuse?

pondypandy · 14/05/2020 23:01

I think if you labour without an epidural you'll end up taking the mask off. Its not a rational time for a woman and you're not going to care about the rules. short of holding you down i don't see how they could enforce it.

Herpesfreesince03 · 14/05/2020 23:02

A quick google search says that you won’t have to wear a mask, but your partner will

IvinghoeBeacon · 14/05/2020 23:02

That’s what I was thinking pondypandy. I think I just wouldn’t have been able to tolerate it

IvinghoeBeacon · 14/05/2020 23:03

Ah that makes more sense Herpesfreesince03

Hagisonthehill · 14/05/2020 23:03

It's not great and women and partners in the UK wear them for sections.
It's difficult times but not much comfort having photos as the only reminder of you as a family if one or more of you then get it in hospital .

Hagisonthehill · 14/05/2020 23:05

And my now exh took a picture of me in labour and I wish I had a mask.Pushing does not look pretty.

Original poster
Peridotty · 14/05/2020 23:05

I am not sure if I can refuse! It's hospital policy. Every time I go in for my prenatal checks, they give me a new mask at the front door to put over my own mask! (double mask- my nose was running so much)
I got told off for being caught answering my phone with my mask pulled down today at the prenatal clinic (even though I was isolated in a room by myself)
If caught outside without one, the fine is $300.

OP posts:
Original poster
Peridotty · 14/05/2020 23:07

The front page of the hospital does say:

Please note, effective Monday April 6, all patients and visitors in any clinical setting will be supplied with a procedural or surgical mask which must be worn as part of our continued efforts to protect our health care workers and patients.

OP posts:
Crabbo · 14/05/2020 23:11

It must be just for partners surely? How are you going to forcefully keep a mask on a woman in labour because she’d definitely rip it off! Also loads of women in labour vomit...

Honeybee85 · 14/05/2020 23:14

That's very upsetting!

The masks are not very comfortable and they make it harder to breathe which is obviously so important during labour.
Inhumane guidelines imo Sad

Hope everything goes well for you OP

Original poster
Peridotty · 14/05/2020 23:15

I hope so!!

It's so hard to breathe with the mask on normally!! I'm a FTM so I don't know what labour is like. Would it be really tough to breathe in labour with a mask on?

I have seen photos of women in the US giving birth with masks on so it's definitely possible.

OP posts:
FirstTimeBumps · 14/05/2020 23:15

@Hagisonthehill is that since the pandemic? I had a section on 2018 and didn't have to wear one and neither did my partner. Contemplating a repeat section this time so would be good to know

SquidgyPeach · 14/05/2020 23:17

I struggle to breathe when wearing them. Personally I don't think it's necessarily healthy, specifically if you're labouring for hours.

I had a growth scan the other day and was asked to wear a mask, I felt like I was going to faint in the waiting room I was struggling to feel like I could actually breathe so much.

It doesn't seem practical, fair or safe to expect labouring women to wear them and definitely not expect them to wear them for their whole postnatal stay that's ridiculous.

Have you called your hospitals maternity/labour unit and confirmed that you'll have to wear one whilst labouring?

SpillTheTeaa · 14/05/2020 23:17

Well I vomited during labour and had gas and air. I wear a mask on a daily basis for my work anyway but in all honesty I don't think I could of had one on during labour. I'd probably rip it off Blush

SquidgyPeach · 14/05/2020 23:22

They can't physically force you to wear one surely, I'm not too familiar with the law in the UK let alone US but it seems like it would definitely go against a lot of human rights to force a labouring woman to wear a mask or anyone for that matter. Issuing fines is one thing but they can't actually enforce it.