Hospitals no longer allowing partners or support people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Why is nitrous off the table?

I just googled, must be because it's a potential COVID-19 treatment.

[Anonymous]

five weeks is a long time from now. things could change or loosen for sure.

my spouse is just off a shift an an area hospital. they are allowing once support person, not allowing them to change out. at this point the OB staff /nurses etc is not wearing full on PPEs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:five weeks is a long time from now. things could change or loosen for sure.

my spouse is just off a shift an an area hospital. they are allowing once support person, not allowing them to change out. at this point the OB staff /nurses etc is not wearing full on PPEs.

They're not wearing any because there is none

[Anonymous]

Is anyone local, due in the next week or gave birth in the last at a hospital and not able to have both your spouse and doula present and willing to share their story? I'm working with a maternal health non-profit who is looking to share stories like this with the media. Also looking for other stories of pregnancy or birth being affected by the COVID19 crisis. You can email me at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Why is nitrous off the table?

I just googled, must be because it's a potential COVID-19 treatment.

My understanding from medical friends is that it's actually because it's an aerosol generating treatment. So, a positive mom using it could increase the amount of virus in the air as an aerosol (vs if she was not using it) and her medical providers would be at greater risk. Definitely sucks if it is a thing that you wanted to try, especially if you already know you react well to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone local, due in the next week or gave birth in the last at a hospital and not able to have both your spouse and doula present and willing to share their story? I'm working with a maternal health non-profit who is looking to share stories like this with the media. Also looking for other stories of pregnancy or birth being affected by the COVID19 crisis. You can email me at [e-mail]

Local hospitals have not shifted to this yet. To my knowledge, all (or nearly all) of the major hospitals in the DMV area are still allowing one support person during labor and delivery. I know for the hospitals I've heard of here in VA (Stone Springs and Inova facilities), if that support person leaves at any point (say, to check on an older sibling), they are not allowed to return.

I pray we don't get so bad here that hospitals start barring support people. I've seen some sad stories from up in NYC this week.

[Anonymous]

Men would never put up with this. You know that plenty of the women delivering alone in NYC are of means. I know one. Don’t let someone (in this case a hospital) make you give birth without a support partner.

Find another hospital outside of DC if this happens. Rent a hotel room. Yes this will cost money. Kids are expensive so just consider it an add on to nanny/daycare cost.

[Anonymous]

Home birth. I had one; it was amazing, and i will have it again. Next year, when all this crazy is done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Home birth. I had one; it was amazing, and i will have it again. Next year, when all this crazy is done.

That might work for you but it doesn’t work for everyone. Some of us are high risk and home birth is not an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Home birth. I had one; it was amazing, and i will have it again. Next year, when all this crazy is done.

That might work for you but it doesn’t work for everyone. Some of us are high risk and home birth is not an option.

+1000
God the entitlement and privilege of some of you. Women all over the world die in childbirth every single day. They would kill for access to the type of healthcare we take for granted here. To just blithely say "oh just have a home birth" is so ignorant and dangerous.

[Anonymous]

So, you dang well better have a C-section. Cause you know, just in case.

I had my baby in a birthing tub in a birth center, no "belts or straps" and a beautiful back yard in which to walk while laboring. It was not a home birth, but at least it was not a hospital.

Not all of us are high-risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, you dang well better have a C-section. Cause you know, just in case.

I had my baby in a birthing tub in a birth center, no "belts or straps" and a beautiful back yard in which to walk while laboring. It was not a home birth, but at least it was not a hospital.

Not all of us are high-risk.

And? Good for you? Lots of us are high risk and would die without a hospital birth.

[Anonymous]

How about we end this thread.

If you are low risk and want a home birth do it.
-make sure your midwife or birth attendant has pitocin and all the routine neonatal resuscitatation equipment
-make sure you know the signs when to go to the hospital
-if your birth attendant tells you he or she recommends transfer to a higher level of care....translation “I am in over my head and you need help.” Don’t resist go.
-inquire about your birth attendants social distancing so he or she does not transmit anything to you or your family.

If you are high or regular risk or whatever and want to birth in the hospital. Come we are here for you. We are sorry that you can’t have a your family and friends around you. But we will be there to take care of you. We don’t want you to have a cesarean (no one wants that...it is not more convenient...it takes up more time, equipment, ppe, resources and it is better for you and your baby.
At some point, you should try and trust that the CNMs, RNs and doctors want to do right by you. (This field
is now primarily women who have been there and stand with you).


Do what you feel you need to do...be safe...I will be in the hospital waiting if you need me...
-L&D nurse.

[Anonymous]

F this, I will have my baby at home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:F this, I will have my baby at home

All statistics point to home birth being incredibly dangerous for the mother and child, but you do you. Good luck transferring to a hospital in the middle of a pandemic.