New campaign to allow partners to stay on maternity wards.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

MN have started a thread about possibly supporting a new campaign to allow partners to stay overnight on maternity wards.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_campaigns/a2129215-What-do-you-think-about-spouses-partners-staying-overnight-on-postnatal-wards?msgid=48200610#48200610

I feel very uncomfortable about this for lots of practical reasons, but also partly because it feels like another safe space for women being sacrificed for the convenience of men. However, I'm aware that I may be underplaying women's right to have whatever support they want.
Is this a feminist issue and how are the rights of one group of women (to feel safe) balanced against another group of women (to have the support they want)?

"I do think that to deny women the support of their partners in caring for their newborn for their first night is cruel. "

I actually think that denying women the support of HCP's is cruel.

There is no good reason to ignore people who are upset by a state of affairs SDTG. But many women are upset (and deeply uncomfortable) not having their partners with them. Neither of these groups automacially wins some kind of top trumps. They are all vulnerable and should all be listened to.

Anony there is no indication that having partners stay overnight denies women the support of HCPs. Though there was evidence form the trial that women don't want as much pain medication when they have the support of a partner overnight.

There was a leering creep on my ward during visiting hours. I don't think I would have got any sleep if he'd been allowed to stay. Mind you, I don't think I would have got any sleep if my partner at the time had been allowed to stay. I was in early labour all night, and he insisted he share the single hospital bed with me as he had work the next day. He keep telling me to move over because he wasn't comfortable. I was clinging on to the edge with my contracting belly over the side, while he was fully on the bed and fast asleep! No, this is one area where I'm glad women don't (currently) have to put men's 'needs' first. Though I acknowledge that there are lots of lovely men out there who would just want to stay to support their partners and their babies.

Don't men get to stay if their wives/gf's have private rooms? If so, maybe that's something to budget for, for those who feel they really need it.

Gatorade, it depends. Not at my hospital as private rooms were still on the ward and were single beds. But many so have that option.

Gatorade, it depends. Not at my hospital as private rooms were still on the ward and were single beds. But many so have that option.