Birth Partners and Corona Virus, What You Need To Know.
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, most hospitals have now put in place restrictions to limit birth partners to 1 healthy birth partner only.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Royal College of Midwives have included the need and value of having a birth partner in labour in their most up to date guidance.
What does this mean if you want your partner and a doula? What does this mean if you now don’t have childcare for your other children? What if your partner gets a cough?
There may well be situation for a small number of women where the partner they planned to bring with them is unable to attend- here are some ideas I think would be good to consider.
1. Self Isolate together. If you are due imminently and your partner is able to, get them to work from home or self-isolate too, minimising possible exposure so they remain well for the big day. (Now we are on lock down, that should be easy!)
2. Get a doula! Or reach out to a doula. Even if you make a pencilled arrangement that can be booked in as required. A doula is an experienced person able to offer physical and emotional support to you during labour and birth and has the potential to help transform this around for you. A doula is part of your care providing team, reduces the chance of intervention, reduces the chance of reaching for pain relief and overall makes birth a more positive experience, so there are excellent evidence based grounds for having a doula as a 2nd birth partner if your hospital are asking to limit to just one. When your doula cannot attend ith you in labour, they can still be an excellent support for whilst you are at home, or as al alternate partner if yours is unable to attend. Some doulas are still currently supporting in person.
3. Find a birth-buddy! Someone else who has been self isolating and is healthy, a friend or family member, who can cover the childcare or step in as a support for labour if you need it.
4. Write down your birth preferences. Midwives are extraordinary people who not only care for you and your baby physically in labour, but can be your rock when you need them. Women do give birth without bringing someone with them, but you are never ‘alone’ when you have your midwife there. To avoid unnecessary disturbance, have your wishes drawn up on a sheet of paper to give to them when you meet.
5. Ask your partner to record a relaxation script, positive affirmations or kind words of reassurance for you. You can play them aloud when you’re in labour and feel that support of the person you love whenever you need to, even if they can’t be there.
6. Have a virtual birth partner. Not for you but for YOUR birth partner. One huge benefit of a second birth partner is having someone to support the primary birth partner. If having two is not possible, having someone at the end of a text or phone call can make the world of difference.
7. Birth Partners be Prepared. Many units are currently not allowing partners to come and go once they have joined you in hospital. Since we have no idea how long labour may last, make sure as a partner you are well stocked up with drinks, snacks, meals, spare clothes and phone chargers!!
8. Consider birthing at home. In some areas (unfortunately not all), the provision of home births are still unaffected. This eliminates the childcare issue for many, meaning your partner may be able to care for your other children and you at the same time, along with the ongoing support of your midwife.
9. Prepare yourself with tools to really aid relaxation and reduce anxiety. Hypnobirthing is perfect for this. Reducing fear and anxiety is crucial to support the normal physiological process of birth, on the birth-ed online course we have a whole tool box of techniques to help you remain calm and confident in yourself no matter what is thrown at you.
If your partner is separated from you after the birth or even during, we have some great tie on how to supporting bonding between them and their baby here.
If you could do with a little more support preparing to give birth at this time, our popular online Hypnobirthing & Antenatal course now includes a NEW FREE Module ‘How to Have a Positive Birth During a Pandemic’.