Hospitals no longer allowing partners or support people

[Anonymous]

I’m scheduled for an induction in 5 weeks and had a virtual visit with my WHC midwife this morning. We talked a little about the new NY hospital policy. She was of course horrified by it and gave me the impression that the practice would push back hard against something like that. She could make no promises but reiterated “we’re not even close to there yet” and talking to her about it made me feel a little better.

She did say that nitrous oxide was now off the table, which is unfortunate as that was a major draw for me to WHC and really helped me get through my 2018 labor there. But if we can keep our labor support, oh well, giving up the nitrous seems like a small thing.

[Anonymous]

The current GW policy states no visitors whatsoever and lists no exceptions for birthing mothers. It appears Inova is currently allowing 1 support person (partner or doula but not both?) and VHC is also allowing 1 support person — both hospitals require the person to stay the whole time (no coming and going).

https://www.gwhospital.com/health-alert

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why can't people who aren't pregnant right now sympathize/empathize with those who are?

No one is trying to tell you what to do or how to feel, are they?

Are you joking? That's all you rubberneckers in this thread are trying to do. Again, if you aren't in this position you have no idea what it's like and take your "advice" elsewhere.

I have zero ideas and zero advice. I am so incredibly sorry for everyone going through this while pregnant. Most of us have been through pregnancy and know how difficult that is WITHOUT doing it in a pandemic.

I’m 31 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I’d probably be more afraid if this was my first. But it’s going to be ok. Frankly, stressing out about it doesn’t help because we can’t change the situation right now. Take a hot bath and concentrate on the good right now. Right now, you are relatively healthy. The baby is healthy. Do your best to stay like that and focus on reducing the stress. Good luck mommies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We forget that, what, just 30-40 years ago men weren't allowed in L&D. It really, really sucks but we got this ladies. We'll make it through.

Women were drugged and “asleep” during labor. So they didn’t remember how they screamed. But more than that, women had their mothers and sisters with them before.

But I had two forced inductions. I’d assume they would not do those and let women go into labor naturally. So we could spend as much time as possible out of the hospital. My son had a shoulder dystocia that meant they sprained (luckily didn’t have to fully break) his clavicle to get him out. I’m a big nope on the home birth.

That was NOT 30-40 years ago. That was in the mid 1910s and only lasted a few years before the practice was ended.

It was used in the United States until the 60's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We forget that, what, just 30-40 years ago men weren't allowed in L&D. It really, really sucks but we got this ladies. We'll make it through.

Women were drugged and “asleep” during labor. So they didn’t remember how they screamed. But more than that, women had their mothers and sisters with them before.

But I had two forced inductions. I’d assume they would not do those and let women go into labor naturally. So we could spend as much time as possible out of the hospital. My son had a shoulder dystocia that meant they sprained (luckily didn’t have to fully break) his clavicle to get him out. I’m a big nope on the home birth.

That was NOT 30-40 years ago. That was in the mid 1910s and only lasted a few years before the practice was ended.

It was used in the United States until the 60's.

+1 my mom was born in 1957 and her brother a few years later. Both were twilight births.

[Anonymous]

You will get through. Billions of women have hadbabies by themselves since time began.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will get through. Billions of women have hadbabies by themselves since time began.

Unhelpful and also not true.

[Anonymous]

Native American women (millions of them over hundred/thousands of years)) would go off and have their baby alone then bring it back to the tribe.

My hippie friend wanted to do this with her first (age 37) but her other hippie friends talked her out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will get through. Billions of women have hadbabies by themselves since time began.

Unhelpful and also not true.

They had mothers, sisters, friends, doulas, home births attended by a familiar doctor or midwife, etc. Or they were completely knocked out with anesthesia so as not to care (I’m not talking an epidural). “Billions” is moms did not give birth fully awake in a room full of L&D nurses who are complete strangers with no family or friends whatsoever.

Understanding that plenty of special circumstances (potentially more tragic and traumatic than the current situation) including loss of partner, deployment, single parenthood etc. necessitates delivering without a partner or the baby’s father, it has never meant delivering alone without the option of a support person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Native American women (millions of them over hundred/thousands of years)) would go off and have their baby alone then bring it back to the tribe.

My hippie friend wanted to do this with her first (age 37) but her other hippie friends talked her out of it.

This is interesting.... it was still presumably a choice or social norm / predictable expectation. Not saying it’s the end of the world at all but it’s still pretty disorienting to suddenly not have the option — even if I understand why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will get through. Billions of women have hadbabies by themselves since time began.

Yeah, and the maternal and fetal death rate was also a lot higher. No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The current GW policy states no visitors whatsoever and lists no exceptions for birthing mothers. It appears Inova is currently allowing 1 support person (partner or doula but not both?) and VHC is also allowing 1 support person — both hospitals require the person to stay the whole time (no coming and going).

https://www.gwhospital.com/health-alert

The GW statement was confusing. The current policy is +1 allowed but can't leave. It does look like they updated the alert to be clearer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will get through. Billions of women have hadbabies by themselves since time began.

SHOVE IT

[Anonymous]

GW’s 3/24/20 update states:

Our visitor policy has temporarily changed:

Only one designated support person may accompany a patient to Labor and Delivery.
The support person must be 18 years of age or older.
The patient and their support person will be screened in the Main Lobby.
A symptomatic support person will not be permitted into the hospital.
The support person may accompany the patient to the Mother Baby Unit and may stay overnight.
The support person is expected to stay. If he or she chooses to leave the hospital, they will not be permitted to re-enter.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will permit one parent or guardian daily. The designated parent or guardian may not be switched.
We understand how difficult it is to not be with loved ones while they are in the hospital and we do not make these decisions lightly. We are acting in the best interest of all our patients, families, our physicians and staff, and the community we serve. Please remember that we will get through this very difficult time and that the restrictions are temporary.

FAQs

Q: Can my support person leave to get something to eat?

A: If your support person leaves the hospital, he or she will not be permitted back into the hospital. The hospital will provide three meals per day. Additionally, Starbucks is open 24 hours a day.

Q: What about my doula?

A: You may choose your doula or professional labor coach to be your one designated support person. They will not be able to switch out with another support person.

Consider contacting your doula remotely during labor using Facetime or Skype.

Q: "It takes a village" to support a pregnant woman. Who will support me?

A: On March 23, 2020, The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) stated, "Each hospital must make decisions that are in the best interests of the health of the hospital team, patients and family. AWHONN nurses are on the frontline of delivering care, and we support those [hospital's] decisions." The nurses, physicians, certified nurse midwives and lactation specialists at The George Washington University Hospital are committed to supporting you during your birth.

Q: What about tours and birth classes?

A: All live tours have been postponed. A virtual tour is available here: https://www.gwhospital.com/conditions-services/maternity/prenatal-tour.

The Breast Feeding Center is holding live-stream classes on Zoom. Please visit their website at breastfeedingcenter.org.

Q: Where can I find up to date information about COVID-19 and the visitor policy?

A: Please refer to gwhospital.com for updates. Additionally, talk to your physician or certified nurse midwife at your next visit.

Visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs resource in the Babyscripts app for the latest information from your GW MFA provider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other countries are trying it too. My friend just gave birth in Portugal. No partner allowed.

How was your friends experience? How is she doing now?

Last I heard, she and her beautiful baby girl are doing great. She is clawing at the walls to be released from the hospital, back to her DH and older child and away from more highly infected hospital population.