Postnatal ward with male partners

[Badhairtoday]

Hi everyone,
I don’t want to debate whether other women should be allowed partners staying overnight on postnatal wards but this really gave me anxiety in my last birth (I won’t go into details of what happened but was too ‘out of it’ to say anything at the time)

I want to know what my options are this time. I will be speaking to someone from the hospital to discuss but wanted to know if I have any rights at all to challenge this, legally even.
I’m usually high risk so have to give birth on labour ward so inevitably will end up on postnatal ward for a number of days. I know they aren’t going to kick out the men for me but wondering If I have the right to ask to be on a female only bay? Side rooms are only for those with a clinical need.

Another hospital would be ideal but it’s too far away and I don’t see why I need to inconvenience myself because the hospital aren’t taking my feelings into account.

Would be great if someone can help. Have contacted various birth rights type organisations but haven’t had any response.

Thank you

If there had been adequate staffing (effectively a member of staff (not necessarily a midwife) per patient in the ward) you would not have "needed" your husband after a C-section

It doesn't need anything like a member of staff per patient.

@redpandafluff
I don't think it's particularly helpful to pit one's needs against the other like that. The way I see it:
-maternity wards are simply not set up for partners to stay overnight. If partners were given their own washrooms and there was adequate space and room that would help somewhat however...
-the issue is also about feeling safe from the male gaze especially when a woman is at one of the most vulnerable stages in her life.
The other main issue is staffing and lack of support for mums. We shouldn't need to have family fill in the staffing gaps and not everyone has that luxury e.g. if there are other little ones at home or the partner is a selfish prick.
I feel sad that the sanctity of women only spaces is so eroded now.

I remember being quite shocked by all the posters about domestic abuse in the toilets in the postnatal ward when I had my DS many years ago. I hadn’t realised that pregnancy and childbirth was a particularly common time for it to start. I do feel very sorry for women trapped in abusive relationships who won’t get a break from their partners if they’re stuck in the ward with them after giving birth.