Can partners sleep in the bed in the birth centre?

[LemonGroves]

I'm too embarrassed to ask my midwife this question.

I'm hoping to give birth in the birth centre. All the rooms in my local birth centre have double beds. When I'm there, if DH has to stay over night, can he just sleep on the other side of the bed? Or do partners normally bring a campbed or sleep on the floor or something?

Mine did bit that's because the post natal ward was full so they couldn't move me there after I gave birth. I would say this varies wildly but in the hospital I gave birth in the birth centre was supposed to just be for women giving birth and for a few hours afterwards and then you gave up that room and moved to the post natal ward.

Forgot to say with previous birth in SE hospital DH did stay in the ward with me overnight but just had to sit in the uncomfortable chair all night. Beds are for patients only.

In my local birth centre that's why they have doubles so partners can stay over.

DH slept in the bed, I sat in the chair feeding most of the night

I would imagine it depends how busy the birth centre is. If it's v quiet you might be able to stay there till discharge, especially if it's a straightforward birth and you aren't in for long. But if it's busier then they'll presumably want you out and to postnatal ward so the room can be used for labouring women.

My DH didn't sleep at all during the actual overnight labour process (obviously as I was giving birth ) and stayed in ward for a few hours after birth, then he went home to sleep and came back in a few hours later.

My husband took a mid afternoon nap after I'd given birth in the double bed both times. I never stayed overnight so no idea there.

My baby is just over 6 weeks old and my husband wasn’t allowed to stay over due to covid so do double check you are allowed! I was in 2 nights after a c section and it was incredibly difficult being alone but I feel like if I’d have had more information beforehand I might have found it easier to cope with. It could be different in a birth centre or in different areas of the country but just make sure you ask all your questions ahead of time is my advice.

We had a double bed and stayed two nights, my DH stayed both times. Just ask! The midwife will be happy to tell you