Birthing Partners

COVID-19 Update

We are working hard to ensure that we are providing the best and safest care for you and your families, as well as ensuring our midwives are safe during these difficult times. We are continuously reviewing our processes and as a result of this, a difficult decision has been made to limit Birth partner visiting in the postnatal period and suspend stays on the postnatal wards with immediate effect.

Under current Department of Health recommendations, staff on the maternity unit are wearing PPE for all patient contact. This helps to protect mothers and babies as well as staff from possible transmission of COVID-19. Limiting postnatal visiting and overnight stays in the department will support and reduce this risk further.

During social distancing recommendations from the Government, we already have made the difficult decision to limit birth partners to one nominated person during early labour, labour and birth. This person cannot swap with any other and should be well and not recently exposed to Covid-19.

The change to visiting is as follows:

Birth partners are permitted to attend with women who come in for an induction of labour to the Antenatal Ward and stay for the following labour duration and birth.
All other antenatal women. Visiting for these women will be 09.00 to 21.00 hours. This is limited to the birth partner only.
Birth partners are permitted to attend with women for their elective caesareans and up to 21.00 hours whilst they are on the postnatal ward.
Visiting for Birth partners only on the postnatal ward is 09.00 hours to 21.00hours. There is no overnight visiting.
Exceptions may be made on compassionate grounds. Please discuss these with midwife in charge.

This decision is based on a number of factors including relocation of wards, reduced postnatal beds and space capacity, social distancing requirements and the lack of appropriate facilities in the ward areas to safely accommodate partners overnight. This limitation has been put in place in line with national guidance to keep you, your babies, your families and NHS staff safe.

Be reassured that if women attend for an early labour assessment, a birth partner can attend Maternity Assessment Unit with them if they are well and this has been advised following a maternity triage telephone assessment. If women are found to be in labour and ready for admission to Labour Ward, the same birth partner can go with them and stay for the following labour duration and birth.

We understand how difficult these changes will be for women and families. Please understand that this decision has not been taken without careful consideration. These decisions have been made to prioritise the safety of mothers, babies and staff during these very challenging, unprecedented times. Advice and regulations may continue to change over the next few weeks and we will endeavour to keep you updated throughout. You can also receive regular updates by following the social media sites of our Maternity Voices Partnership, or contact them with your feedback: northkentmvp@gmail.com

Although 4 out of 5 fathers will want to be with their partner and attend the birth, this might not be right for everyone. Some may feel worried about being with their partner during the labour, either because they are not sure what’s going on or because they’re too worried themselves. It is important that couples talk about their individual needs and agree on what is best so that the mother can have the best support available.

Research has found that having another woman who has experienced birth with you throughout your labour, has a positive effect. This can reduce the time in the first stage of labour and the amount of painkillers that you require.

Giving support means helping, praising, encouraging, reassuring, comforting, and being totally selfless and putting the needs of the mother first. Sometimes couples decide to have a second person on call to support both of you. They can stand in when the partner needs to leave for a refresher ie. wash and eat. Overall do not underestimate the difference that your support can make to your partner. Here are some suggestions.

Attend parentcraft sessions if possible to prepare together.
Make sure bags packed.
Make sure you are available for the birth and contactable.
Find out about your paternity leave.
Ensure transport isorganised.
Ensure you know where to go and have coins for the car park.
Wear cool comfortable clothes. Hospitals are very warm.
Pack a book or a magazine to read and something to eat and drink. Some labours can last 24 hours.
Pack some music you both like CD or tape.
Remember the camera.
Remember the phone list. Mobile telephones cannot be used within the delivery suite.

Help her to relax again practice this throughout the pregnancy.
Be aware of any preference of pain relief so you can suggest and remind her.
Ensure that she understands what is going on and ask the midwife if there is anything you do not understand.
Encourage her to stay upright and active.
Massage if she likes it. Backache is experienced by around 90% of women in labour and the pressure is exerting on the sacrum. Gently massage the lower back, by using the heel of your hand, circular and deep pressure also help relieve backache. Stroking and gentle touching her arms, face and back can help reduce pain sensation.
Run a warm bath. Some women find this very relaxing and soothing.
Try warm flannels and cold compresses. Soak a flannel in warm water and press it on her sore back during a contraction. Keep a cool flannel on her sweaty brow during strong contractions and when she is pushing.
Make sure she is drinking enough. (Unless she is not allowed to drink.) Dehydration can make the body work less effectively. Sucking ice is very refreshing.
Expect labouring women to go into their own world. They may not want you chatting or speaking to lots of people ie visitors. They will want peace, dimmed lights and quiet music.
Keep positive. Praise her at how she is doing. Reassurance is what she is wanting. Even if you do feel repetitive keep the praise and boost her confidence. You are doing a great job. You look great. You are so clever.
Remind her to empty her bladder. A full bladder can cause a lot more pain during a contraction.
Be on the look out for transition. This is the phase just before pushing when a lot of women may become emotionally confused and may want to give up. Other symptoms are hot flushes, nausea, vomiting, shaking.
Sometimes women get aggressive and this may be targeted at you! Do not take it personally, it is quite normal.
Enjoy it. Labour is hard work, but the sight of your baby’s birth is one you will never forget. Savour the magic of the moment that is, quite literally, once in a lifetime. Be prepared for you’re own and your partners reactions-relief tears, awed silence, exhaustion or whoops of joy.
Ensure that you look after yourself ie eat, drink, wash. Do not make your partner start worrying about you.
Ensure that your partner gets the privacy and rest she requires after the birth and is not inundated with too
many visitors. Keep visits if necessary short and sweet.

Many partners / men say they feel strange about going home. However you will be extremely busy telephoning all your family and friends. Try and encourage visiting when it is convenient to you and not the opposite. Make the most of a good nights sleep and don't forget to eat. Partners can stay and sleep at the hospital.

Following a normal birth this will be as soon as it takes to get feeding started. This can be the next day. If you have had a caesarean the stay is usually between 3-4 days.

If you have any questions or if there is anything that you did not understand about the birth, please speak to a midwife.

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Birthing Partners

COVID-19 Update

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Birthing Partners

COVID-19 Update

Suggestions to help you help antenatally

Suggestions to help you help during labour

Leaving after the birth

How long to expect to stay in hospital?