Current rules for birth partners

[Polkadot123]

I can’t keep up tbh. Do the rules still state that birth partners can only be with you in the hospital from’ stove labour’ around 4cm? Or have things changed. Any recent mama that can drop some knowledge. I’ve messaged my midwife but no reply as of yet. Perhaps it depends on what hospital trust/ area you’re in. Thanks in advance very all x

Stove labour?? 😂😂😂 Cheers autocorrect.... ACTIVE labour rather

Whilst there are guidelines from RCM or RCOG, the actual rules will 100% depend on your specific hospital trust.

If you've already tried their website, try social media as it's often more up to date.

Good luck!

Dependent on trust but I had a baby a week ago and my husband couldn't come in til they checked i was 4cm.

Definitely depends on your hospital - and changes all the time!
There is so much variation.

Mine is currently saying one birth partner allowed on Labour ward (no swapping) from admission to birth, but not allowed on post natal ward except for short visiting window

Ours isn’t good news atm :( it’s not until active labour and then not again full stop. Midwife will help mother to the car when collected. Given I’ve had two out of three very rough births I’m quite worried about the repercussions for me if I have another traumatic birth and then have to stay behind a curtain by myself for a few days :( mental health wise I would be much better off if husband could visit her and each day. Fingers crossed I get lucky with an average birth and a short stay :). Numbers in our area are now the lowest they have been since early September so much better than recent months and really hoping they change the rules in the next 3 weeks but I doubt it x

It completely depends. I'm allowed one partner in from admission to discharge (but they can't leave and come back) as all the rooms are private. My friend is giving birth in the neighbouring trust and isn't allowed to have them in until she's in active labour and they have to leave once they get moved to the postnatal ward. Things will hopefully start to change as restrictions ease though.

Covid: just another way of denying women appropriate and sufficient care when they are at their most vulnerable.

I think you’ll have to check with your hospital.
Ours have just changed their rules... in labour partner can attend.

For cesareans and inductions, partner has to do a lateral flow test and can then attend with negative result. Previously for induction they could only attend once active labour had started.

Like others have said, it's entirely dependent on your local hospital. I have three hospitals within a 20-ish minute drive of me, and all 3 have different rules. Check your local hospital, they should have up to date information published. You can switch hospitals even if it's a different trust from your "home trust". I'm currently registered to one hospital but if they haven't improved support for partners by 37 weeks I'm going to swap.

One hospital has had a very supportive policy and birth partners have been a priority for them throughout, whereas another is in an old building and they can't space out things like the induction suite enough to be safe. So while the guidance says yes, their rules still have to say no. It's such a lottery! Good luck.

Thanks everyone. I’ve looked into it and for me it’s going to be that they can enter when I get to active labour. Hoping to stay at home as long as I safely and comfortably can. Crazy old times eh!! I’m sure it’ll all be fine though 💪💪 xx