Masks during labour

[RoseGoldEagle]

My midwife told me today I’d need to wear a mask in labour. I said I understood at the start, but when I was in active labour and in pain and breathing through contractions would I have to wear it then? She said I would. She said I could take it off for breathing gas and air and that was it. Feel a bit panicked about it as this is my third and can’t imagine coping with a mask on. Anyone else know if this is normal? Thanks!

I’m fairly sure that is not standard. Partners, yes but not actively labouring women.

Partners yes but as you count as being an impatient there shouldn't be a requirement to wear one.

When you are in hospital in active labour you are a patient, inpatients in hospital don't have to wear masks but staff do. I would question that one and also refuse because it is a ridiculous request if true 🤦🏼‍♀️

The royal college of midwifes advises against masks during active labour <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.rcm.org.uk/media/4151/clinical-briefing-face-mask.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj-zu2PlI_sAhXjaRUIHaU6AWMQFjABegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0Jpmlx_fkIYPau1s9khMSQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.rcm.org.uk/media/4151/clinical-briefing-face-mask.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj-zu2PlI_sAhXjaRUIHaU6AWMQFjABegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0Jpmlx_fkIYPau1s9khMSQ

That’s horrendous. Even latent labour is horrific for some people- I was in agony for over 15 hours with my back to back baby at only 1cm dilated. I hope this isn’t true.

Masks have no effect on oxygen or carbon dioxide levels if that helps?
We do need to protect our hospital staff for their own sake and the sake of everyone else who will be giving birth and will need staff to attend them.

@VillageGreenTree they may not have any effect on oxygen levels etc but they can make someone feel very hot and faint while wearing one and especially while in labour which is straining enough on our bodies! I know when I wear one for too long and start getting warm I get anxious and panicky!

I'm all for wearing them in shops and for normal appointments but I draw the line at wearing it for labour! Not happening for me at all!

@villagegreentrees although they may not have any effect on oxygen etc i still thinking labour is a hard enough time anyway without making it any more claustrophobic or uncomfortable.

It’s not recommended by the RCM and hospital inpatients don’t have to wear one.
They don’t have any effect on O2 levels but they sure as hell make me hot, in 36w and nearly fainted in Asda this morning with mine on.

Thanks all, feel a bit better reading these replies. Am going to ring tomorrow for clarity, am due any day and had gone from feeling quite calm to a bit panicky after the appointment today. Agree with others I’ve no problem at all wearing them normally in shops etc, but having been through labour twice before I just can’t imagine coping with one on. She was a strange midwife anyway, very bossy, asked if I knew the baby’s sex and when I told her said she disapproved of people finding out and it should be a surprise!

I’m pretty sure I’d have ripped mine off in a rage if I was wearing one during labour. Surely they can’t make you?!

@RoseGoldEagle she sounds like a hoot! 🤦‍♀️ as a midwife she should not be shoving her personal opinions on her patients! Definitely soeak to someone else, I can't imagine in any hospital that if you're admitted you have to wear a mask as imagine those who are being in for long term care, having to sit there all day wearing a mask? Or having to sleep in one??

They will test upon admission so I think masks are only required if your positive for COVID

I had a baby 10 weeks ago, had to wear a mask until they determined I was in labour and then was told I could remove it. My husband had to wear it for all of the labour as did all of the staff. I felt very sorry for them all as it was fairly warm but I decided I couldn’t stand the air conditioning and asked for it to be turned off!

I had my baby 5 week ago. I didn't have to wear a mask but my partner did.

I had to wear one when i was in labour in June. Trying to breath through the mask during a contraction was awful and it didn't take long for it to come off. Midwife didn't mention anything and actually said to my partner he can take his off if he wanted to.
They can't exactly force you to wear one when you're in labour so I wouldn't worry :)

This is horrendous. Hope you can get clarity and that it's not the case. I threw up uncontrollably throughout labour, even early on. I couldn't have coped with a mask.

I don't could be wrong, but I don't think you would be obliged to wear one. I'm pretty certain I would have found the breathing techniques during labour virtually impossible with a mask on.

Your midwife sounds weird. I'd have asked her why she thinks the sex of a baby should be a surprise, as you know that you will have one or the other. That was my stock response to anyone who questioned why I wanted to find out at my scans

Good luck using gas and air with a mask on...

Dont panic OP. I gave birth during lockdown and unless they have gone even stricter I dont see you having to wear it through labour. Impossible imo anyway, I ripped all my clothes off let alone a mask.

I was handed one as I entered, didnt put it on as I laboured very quickly and was given gas and air. No one said anything. I stayed in the hospital for 5 hours after birth before I was discharged and no one mentioned it. My birth partner was told to wear one, that was it.

I gave birth a few weeks ago - I was told beforehand that I would have to wear a mask until I was in active labour. I actually kicked up a bit of a fuss about that because I labour quickly, and they seemed to be suggesting I would have to have regular internal exams to determine whether I was the requisite 4 cms and could therefore remove my mask...

Was given assurances that this would not happen, and when it came to it I was told I could remove my mask the minute I was in the room, and (to our surprise) my partner was allowed to do the same.

You should definitely push for clarification. And stand firm - there is no way you should wear a mask throughout.

I was an inpatient for 2 days, didn't have to wear one, then gave birth and didn't have to wear one except for in the corridor between theatre and the ward. DP was allowed to take his off when we were in our own room on the delivery suite too. Would be very very surprised if you were made to wear one in labour, that would be horrific.

Wtf, no chance. I gave birth 6 weeks ago and didn't wear one at all. I'd have nutted someone if they tried telling me to wear a mask whilst trying to breathe through contractions. They handed my partner a mask when he came in (when they confirmed I was in active labour) and told him he could take it off in the delivery room. I had to stay in for a couple of days afterward and wasn't asked to wear one at all.

Just updating this as I rang and spoke to another midwife to get some clarity on this. She said it’s basically down to the discretion of the midwife who is with you during labour. She said most midwives, her included, would not expect women to wear masks during active labour, but some do. Seems a bit random and luck of the draw who you get (hope I don’t get the one I saw this week!), you’d think they’d just have a consistent policy on this. I felt so faint and sick last time that I think having a mask on would send me over the edge! Fingers crossed I get a nice midwife!

I gave birth on Wednesday! I was definitely not wearing a mask and wouldn’t have in any case!

@RoseGoldEagle you can always request a new midwife if you get one who insists on a mask. If you’re in active labour what can they do??