Work friend doesn't have anyone to be with her during birth

[strongtsandcs]

My work friend is new to the country and her husband has been taken ill. She won't have anyone with her for the birth - family can't get a visa as it will take a long time.

What will the nhs do for her?

OP I'm a midwife and looked after a lady who spoke little English, and who had no family/friend support. Husband stayed at home to look after the toddler and myself and a student cared for her and helped her to deliver her baby. We made sure she wasn't left alone. For women in active labour, they should have 1:1 care, where a midwife is assigned to only the mother in active labour. They may even have a student with them so may receive 2:1 care. Otherwise there is no provision of any other birth support as such, this would have to be arranged by the family themselves eg doula/independent midwife etc.

Hospitals also have phone translator services and/or in emergencies will broadcast for a member of hospital staff to translate if absolutely necessary.

• No she doesn't.

She's with her husband.*

I'm checking the gov website and you still need to prove your knowledge of English to get a spouse visa.

But anyway, hospital interpreting will also be available if she needs it. I work in that field and all hospitals have OPI interpreting

OP are you as abrupt at work as you are being on this thread? The PP on the thread are trying to help you to help your employee.

IMO to the PP who said their unit was using language line, this is a great service but your unit should still be seeking to use a physically present translator unless one is genuinely not available or if the patient doesn't want that.

so that a stranger isn't entering the birth space

An accredited professional. There, fixed it for you! Show them some courtesy. Just like you, a stranger to the mother, but a professional.

I gave birth on my own I'd not long split up with ex partner and my mum was to be my birthing partner, but she passed away a couple of months before I had ds, it felt odd mainly after I'd just given birth as there was no one there to share it with but the midwives were lovely.

He's had a stroke

Oh that sounds awful xxx

People are darn right rude.

She's not on a spouse visa.

Thank you.

Thanks.

I will reminder her about Heart disease, epilepsy and stroke.

I believe there is a translator. I was thinking more about the emotional aspect of providing support. I worry for her. I will tell her about local groups as well.

Not really no. We work remote and a small team. She says she's fine but she's had an awful time with everything,

@tweener

"Nobody is suggesting she just give up and do it alone though, they're suggesting that if she doesn't like the responses she will have no choice but to go it alone. People have suggested hiring a doula, having a friend or colleague, suggesting family members apply for a visa just in case, approaching their church/mosque. The OP has shunned most of these solutions as not suitable. The NHS isn't going to provide anything "extra."".

Doulas are mighty expensive., im yet to see the £29ph ones.

She's from overseas and doesn't have any friends. She had her husband. She has me as a boss and colleague which isn't appropriate, plus I'm a remote worker and a couple of hours drive, plus pregnant myself.

If people want to visit the country they have to have a visa which isn't on arrival.

I don't know her religious background. But that is a good idea.

So I'm not shunning anyone..... it's simply not available for her.

I laboured alone in hospital with the curtains pulled round me and a call bell. Only got a midwife when I was actively pushing

You've already been told about a doula and not listened to the follow up posts. The ones you've linked are for entire pregnancy packages, pre natal care, the entire "journey" etc. You can pay hourly for help with just the labour.

@tweener go and show me one Solar who does an hourly rate in the north west....

Why?

Who am I, your PA? YOU go have a look rather than linking two doula packages and assuming everywhere is the same. You asked for advice, go and do the leg work yourself. This is your colleague, not mine. Lots of women use a doula and they certainly don't all pay £1,500 for an entire 9 month package.

Maybe she can go private. Don't expect anything extra from the nhs

If they have student midwives they might assign one to her in addition to the trained ones

I had my first baby with just midwives, second child my husband was there and he was useless, didn't have a clue about support and third time new husband was there and was great but by the time I was in labour a trained monkey would have been fine tbh.

Get some manners

@tweener they don't cost that little, defo not by the hour and no one is charging that little for 9 months.

I'm sorry if my original post was disrespectful to interpreters, that wasn't my intention. I have worked with interpreters and absolutely respect their role. I was speaking from my own experience that language line often works better in labour and birth.

Our hospital's interpreter service is for the whole hospital not just maternity, and even though we can request a woman interpreter, that unfortunately cannot be guaranteed. There is one language in particular where usually only a man is available, in my experience women are more likely to refuse a male interpreter than a female one (though I've seen female interpreters refused too). This is mainly what I was thinking of when I mentioned a stranger entering the birth space.

Labour can also be fast moving and an unbooked translator can take a while to arrive, or may not be available at all, which I believe is another reason why language line is preferentially used during labour on my unit.

I stand by my assertion that the birth space should be protected, even from professionals. In my experience, midwives and doulas are often more tuned into doing this compared to other professionals who might have reason to enter it.

Anyway, by the sound of it OP's friend has some sort of interpretation service sorted out, hopefully her hospital is equipped to offer her every option available 👍