Partners banned from birth-Mullingar Hospital

appledrop

As the title says Mullingar Hospitial has banned partners from being present at the birth of their child due to cornavirus.

I know we are in the middle of a crisis but I'm sorry I think this is a step too far. I can understand no visitors etc but this is ridiculous.

Giving birth can be a very scary experience + things can go wrong. You need someone with you.

I fail to understand logic behind it. If couple are living together as a household then no further risk to each other. If putting hospitial staff as risk then surely they could wear protective gear like any other hospitial staff.

elperello

appledrop wrote: »

As the title says Mullingar Hospitial has banned partners from being present at the birth of their child due to cornavirus.

I know we are in the middle of a crisis but I'm sorry I think this is a step too far. I can understand no visitors etc but this is ridiculous.

Giving birth can be a very scary experience + things can go wrong. You need someone with you.

I fail to understand logic behind it. If couple are living together as a household then no further risk to each other. If putting hospitial staff as risk then surely they could wear protective gear like any other hospitial staff.

I agree with you that it is scary but these are very difficult times.

The danger of scarce trained staff getting infected is very real.

PPE is in very short supply.








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Thelonious Monk

I for one would be delighted not to have to witness that mess

beggars_bush

Very hard on the mothers, with no familiar face to support them

Purple Mountain

I read it that there was no partner visitor allowed.
Didn't think it meant the birth.
I'd support the ban anyway.
These are unprecedented times.

Touchee

appledrop wrote: »

As the title says Mullingar Hospitial has banned partners from being present at the birth of their child due to cornavirus.

I know we are in the middle of a crisis but I'm sorry I think this is a step too far. I can understand no visitors etc but this is ridiculous.

Giving birth can be a very scary experience + things can go wrong. You need someone with you.

I fail to understand logic behind it. If couple are living together as a household then no further risk to each other. If putting hospitial staff as risk then surely they could wear protective gear like any other hospitial staff.

I can’t understand the logic either. If the husband/partner has the virus, then surely the mother also has the virus. I don’t there is any additional risk in allowing the partner to assist.

appledrop

I totally understand this is unprecedented times however its not just about having someone to support you it's also about having someone there who can witness what's going on.

There are regularly settlements made in high court due to mistakes made during labour/births in maternity hospitials all around the country.

The most notorious one is also a maternity hospitial in Midland area.

If your on your own + something goes wrong you have no backup. A disgraceful position to put women in.

afkasurfjunkie

Is it all births or just sections which take place in theatre?

Midnight Sundance

I'm just waiting on all the other maternity hospitals to follow suit. I thought it was hard enough thinking I'd have to labour by myself if induced, but now to give birth without my husband seems surreal!!!
Every time I think about it I cry. I know it's being done to keep mothers and babies from harm but I also think if the father has covid 19 then the mother would have it too.
It's really asking a lot from new mothers and expecting nurses and midwives to do a lot more even though they are already stretched enough as it is

awec

Where did you see this OP?

The only news I can see mentions no visitors ante or post-natal, the same as all other maternity hospitals, doesn't say anything about no birthing partner during the actual birth?

appledrop

On rte website , article by Ciaran Mullooley if anyone can post link I'd appreciate it.

awec

appledrop wrote: »

On rte website , article by Ciaran Mullooley if anyone can post link I'd appreciate it.

Found it:

https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2020/0326/1126622-coronavirus-hospital-birth/

TuringBot47

appledrop wrote: »

Giving birth can be a very scary experience + things can go wrong. You need someone with you.

Exceptional circumstances call for exceptional steps.

I was there in the theatre for my wifes 2 C-sections and there's an extra nurse in the ward just in case the husband/partner faints or anything.
You don't want to be taking up more hospital resources if you can help it.

Anyways, men are treated like rats in a maternity hospital at the best of times.
In the Rotunda I had to go down to the ground floor to use the visitors toilet, there was none on the wards for men/visitors.

The more scary prospect is that people in ICU can't have visitors.
There could be people in Ireland now, who will see their families for the last time just before they are admitted to hospital.

Italy need army trucks in convoy to transport their dead.
This situation is life or death here too, it's not a step too far.

twowheelsonly

Fathers attending births has only been 'a thing' for 35 or 40 years. prior to that it was a place for women only.

appledrop wrote: »

I totally understand this is unprecedented times however its not just about having someone to support you it's also about having someone there who can witness what's going on.

There are regularly settlements made in high court due to mistakes made during labour/births in maternity hospitials all around the country.

The most notorious one is also a maternity hospitial in Midland area.

If your on your own + something goes wrong you have no backup. A disgraceful position to put women in.

That has to be the single worst reason I've ever heard for attending a birth. The 'regular settlements' are an absolute minuscule percentage of all births in Ireland in any given year.

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

As the title says Mullingar Hospitial has banned partners from being present at the birth of their child due to cornavirus.

I know we are in the middle of a crisis but I'm sorry I think this is a step too far. I can understand no visitors etc but this is ridiculous.

Giving birth can be a very scary experience + things can go wrong. You need someone with you.

I fail to understand logic behind it. If couple are living together as a household then no further risk to each other. If putting hospitial staff as risk then surely they could wear protective gear like any other hospitial staff.

Until about 50 years ago more or less every woman who ever gave birth was accompanied by a midwife and sometimes it was just a woman with no qualifications but lots of experience. These are exceptional times. If your not needing care and not staff then stay outside please.

splinter65

Touchee wrote: »

I can’t understand the logic either. If the husband/partner has the virus, then surely the mother also has the virus. I don’t there is any additional risk in allowing the partner to assist.

You don’t think that less people unnecessarily in the hospital is a good thing?

bertsmom

There is a massive shortage of PPE its definitely not a step too far! It's the right thing for the times we are in.

Skylinehead

appledrop wrote: »

I fail to understand logic behind it. If couple are living together as a household then no further risk to each other. If putting hospitial staff as risk then surely they could wear protective gear like any other hospitial staff.

There's a pandemic ravaging the country.

There's a shortage of protective gear.

There's the logic.

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

I totally understand this is unprecedented times however its not just about having someone to support you it's also about having someone there who can witness what's going on.

There are regularly settlements made in high court due to mistakes made during labour/births in maternity hospitials all around the country.

The most notorious one is also a maternity hospitial in Midland area.

If your on your own + something goes wrong you have no backup. A disgraceful position to put women in.

Rubbish.

accensi0n

Good.

appledrop

splinter65 wrote: »

Rubbish.

It's not rubbish. I know 2 people who had horrendous childbirth experiences in this country.

One who's baby died + another who's child was left with life changing disability.

They had to fight tooth + nail for years to receive an apology from the hospitials.

Yes we are in unprecedented times but still not acceptable.

Skylinehead

appledrop wrote: »

It's not rubbish. I know 2 people who had horrendous childbirth experiences in this country.

One who's baby died + another who's child was left with life changing disability.

They had to fight tooth + nail for years to receive an apology from the hospitials.

Yes we are in unprecedented times but still not acceptable.

What's not acceptable is you demanding PPE for people witnessing a birth while there's a shortage of the stuff for healthcare workers fighting against a deadly virus.

The state of this attitude.

shesty

Skylinehead wrote: »

There's a pandemic ravaging the country.

There's a shortage of protective gear.

There's the logic.

No, sorry I don't think so.Men don't wear protective gear during the birth unless they are theatre.
I would say it is to absolutely mininise the spread of germs , nothing more.

Skylinehead

shesty wrote: »

No, sorry I don't think so.Men don't wear protective gear during the birth unless they are theatre.
I would say it is to absolutely mininise the spread of germs , nothing more.

In the context of a pandemic, anyone without PPE in a hospital is a risk.

elperello

Years ago the time leading up to birth was known as confinement.
Men were actively discouraged from attendance at births.
Over the past 40 years or so things have changed and partners/birth partners participating is the norm.
An increasing number of home births involve partner and existing children.
These are improvements and are well established procedure.
When this virus pandemic is over we will revert again to the full participation of partners.

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

It's not rubbish. I know 2 people who had horrendous childbirth experiences in this country.

One who's baby died + another who's child was left with life changing disability.

They had to fight tooth + nail for years to receive an apology from the hospitials.

Yes we are in unprecedented times but still not acceptable.

Ireland is one of the top ten safest countries in the whole world to give birth in according to WHO. You’re painting a ridiculous picture of birthing mothers needing a birth partner to protect them from the horrifically dangerous delivery rooms of Ireland. It’s just rubbish.

appledrop

What I said was if the hospitial were bringing in such an unreasonable rule they could look to staff wearing PPE instead.

As I already mentioned it makes no sense whatsoever anyway to ban the partner. If the partner has it the mother had it so it's pointless.

awec

Is Mullingar a general hospital as well as a maternity one? Wonder if that's a factor.

appledrop

splinter65 wrote: »

Ireland is one of the top ten safest countries in the whole world to give birth in according to WHO. You’re painting a ridiculous picture of birthing mothers needing a birth partner to protect them from the horrifically dangerous delivery rooms of Ireland. It’s just rubbish.

You obviously haven't seen the programme about Portlaoise hospitial so.

Sleeper12

appledrop wrote:

I fail to understand logic behind it. If couple are living together as a household then no further risk to each other. If putting hospitial staff as risk then surely they could wear protective gear like any other hospitial staff.

Both parents in the room doubles the chance of infecting the staff

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

You obviously haven't seen the programme about Portlaoise hospitial so.

I know there have been some tragedies and lots of mistakes. That doesn’t change the fact that Ireland is a very safe place to have a baby in. You do realise that 1000s of babies are born here every year with no problems? Have you had a baby yourself?

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

What I said was if the hospitial were bringing in such an unreasonable rule they could look to staff wearing PPE instead.

As I already mentioned it makes no sense whatsoever anyway to ban the partner. If the partner has it the mother had it so it's pointless.

PPE is in short supply and shouldn’t be wasted on unnecessary people being present in hospital.

appledrop

splinter65 wrote: »

PPE is in short supply and shouldn’t be wasted on unnecessary people being present in hospital.

How is been present at the birth of your child unnecessary?

My wife is pregnant at the moment, had an 8 week scan yesterday that I wasn’t allowed in for. I won’t be allowed in for 12 week scan either if it even goes ahead.

Luckily she’s not due to October so hopefully things are looking a bit better by then.

Horrible time to be pregnant but dealing with a pandemic is more important than comforting parents to be.

Sleeper12

appledrop wrote:

How is been present at the birth of your child unnecessary?

It was unnecessary for 100s or 1000s of years if fairness. In the grand scheme of things it's still a reasonably modern /new concept.

eviltwin

There are people unable to say goodbye to dying relatives at the moment. A bit of perspective please. I understand that missing a birth or not having the support of your partner is horrible but it's a measure that needs to be taken.

This is it

appledrop wrote: »

How is been present at the birth of your child unnecessary?

I understand where you're coming from but the reality is, it's not necessary for a partner to be there. I missed my sons birth when his mam had to have an emergency C section. It may be traumatic, there may be complications, but bar moral support the partner offers nothing else.

Hospitals need to keep risk to a minimum. This is one of the ways they're doing this.

appledrop

splinter65 wrote: »

I know there have been some tragedies and lots of mistakes. That doesn’t change the fact that Ireland is a very safe place to have a baby in. You do realise that 1000s of babies are born here every year with no problems? Have you had a baby yourself?

Of course I've had a baby myself that's why I'm so annoyed about this.

Yes I know tens of thousands of babies born ok here ever year. However the maternity services we have in Ireland is woefully underfunded + not in good shape.

The major maternity hospitials ceos themselves are regularly saying that unnecessary risks are posed to mothers + babies in this country due to lack of staff, out dated buildings + overcrowding.

Touchee

Touchee wrote: »

I can’t understand the logic either. If the husband/partner has the virus, then surely the mother also has the virus. I don’t there is any additional risk in allowing the partner to assist.

Staff and child.

And yes, allowing a partner to 'assist' a birth is an additional risk but hey, it's only the birth of your child eh?

appledrop

appledrop wrote: »

How is been present at the birth of your child unnecessary?

How is it necessary?

Sleeper12

Niner leprauchan wrote:

How is it necessary?

Both are only necessary for the conception.

NSAman

beggars_bush wrote: »

Very hard on the mothers, with no familiar face to support them

It’s Mullingar, many wouldn’t remember who the father is....

(I’ll get my coat)

Dj Stiggie

appledrop wrote: »

How is been present at the birth of your child unnecessary?

So once a month I go to the hospital for a respiratory check up and to get port flushed. When I was younger my mam would come with me (even when I was a young adult, keep her happy) and then when I was in a serious relationship, my girlfriend would come sometimes so she could ask the doctors and know what's going on. You'd say, fair enough, we can't let them come with me these days and you'd be right.

Except they've gone further. They've closed the clinic entirely, my next appointment will be over the phone. So instead of getting a lung function test and my port which is inside me flushed, which should be done monthly, I'll have a ten minute chat with the doc on the phone. I completely understand given the situation we're in.

So please, tell me again why someone who could be carrying a deadly virus should be allowed into the hospital to stand around?

eldamo

my wife is due at the end of july,

I was there for the birth of our two, not being there will be beyond bizarre,

obviously i am of less than no use in the situation, so I understand

but seriously, bizarre.

Darc19

Op will just have to make another baby to experience the birth.

And with this lock down likely to last a couple of months, there'll be plenty of opportunities to have "Irish twins"

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

How is been present at the birth of your child unnecessary?

How is it necessary is a better question? The practice of non medical personnel being present in a delivery room is about 45 years in. How on earth do you think any woman birthed a baby before that ?

splinter65

eldamo wrote: »

my wife is due at the end of july,

I was there for the birth of our two, not being there will be beyond bizarre,

obviously i am of less than no use in the situation, so I understand

but seriously, bizarre.

It may be bizarre but if this emergency is still with us then it will be the safest thing for all involved if only medical people are present.

pwurple

Maybe I don't understand this hospital in particular, but why would a port be flushed by a midwife or an obstetrics specialist?

These are different disciplines.

Is there a crossover in staff between various areas at this particular hospital?

splinter65

appledrop wrote: »

Of course I've had a baby myself that's why I'm so annoyed about this.

Yes I know tens of thousands of babies born ok here ever year. However the maternity services we have in Ireland is woefully underfunded + not in good shape.

The major maternity hospitials ceos themselves are regularly saying that unnecessary risks are posed to mothers + babies in this country due to lack of staff, out dated buildings + overcrowding.

No actually it’s in great shape. And you’re failing to explain why totally unnecessary people in the delivery room is going to make any improvement to the general health and safety in that room. Can you explain that now?

lozenges

pwurple wrote: »

Maybe I don't understand this hospital in particular, but why would a port be flushed by a midwife or an obstetrics specialist?

These are different disciplines.

Is there a crossover in staff between various areas at this particular hospital?

I think the poster is just trying to make the point that he is prepared to accept that his usual care will be temporarily compromised due to the pandemic and that that will apply in some way across all healthcare specialties.

eldamo

splinter65 wrote: »

It may be bizarre but if this emergency is still with us then it will be the safest thing for all involved if only medical people are present.

oh, don't get me wrong, I am a supreme rule follower, I will not argue my case to be there.


I will just feel a proper wally where ever i end up


I think eating a bucket of kfc in Dr. Quirkeys is the default second choice and that wont even be open to me.


I understand the need, doesn't stop it feeling weird