Birth Voices East Blog
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Recently Healthwatch Suffolk recommended that James Paget Hospital should allow all partners to stay after the birth if they wish. It is a topic many people feel very strongly about, both for and against. On the upside, partners could provide additional support, both practically and emotionally. But there would be potential trade-offs for privacy and dignity, not to mention safeguarding of vulnerable people. The maternity department has asked us to help find out exactly how women and birth partners feel about this - how strong objections might be, and how it could work in practice given the limited space and budget - for example, sleeping on chairs with no food/drink provided - and of course, just curtains separating you from the next family, even during examinations. We have made TWO surveys - one for mums and one for birth partners (male or female) - to make sure everyone's opinions are listened to (anonymously of course). But we need hundreds of people to repond to make it work, so please fill it in and then help us to share it! We will also be holding a DROP IN DISCUSSION AND PLAY SESSION on 18TH JANUARY AT KIRKLEY CHILDRENS CENTRE at 10-12. There will be toys for the little ones and an opportunity for anyone wishing to talk about this subject or any other aspect of local maternity care (induction, postnatal depression etc) to come along, have a cup of tea/cake and a chat.
We also have the formal committee meeting booked for the 22nd of February at Hopton Village Hall, this is where we mums (no dads yet unfortunately - would be useful) meet with senior maternity staff as well as other professionals from the CCG, Public Health, and Healthwatch amongst others to talk through the feedback responses and what can be done to address them. Please let us know if you are interested in attending - the formal meeting is not normally for discussing individual experiences but more if you are interested in hearing about and suggesting ways to improve different aspects fo amternity care, or helping us gather feedback, promote and organise!
8 Comments
michelle
10/1/2017 12:55:56 pm
i stringly thibk they should be, being a first time mother in November i had a c section and was in pain from the surgery, didnt havr a clue what i was meant to be doing on my own and it would have been so reassuring to havr my husband to help and be with us on the first night
Sarah Blowers
10/1/2017 01:50:19 pm
I certainly think the Patterson should be able to stay in ward 11. I had pre eclampsia, our son was 6 weeks 5 days early and although he was able to stay with me on the delivery suite after my emergency c section I needed him once i got back on the ward. Our son was in neonatal and I was in a room on my own for about 5 days. I felt very down and confused and would have coped so much better with having him there with me.
Amber
10/1/2017 03:09:11 pm
They was brilliant on the ward as I was being induced and have anxiety they let him stay the whole time including all night so thankful for them midwives :)
Celeste
10/1/2017 03:58:19 pm
I think it's a great idea, the physical/emotional support our partners provide us with would make such a difference. It would mean less stress on an already short staffed team resulting in a happier vibe on the ward.
Serena
10/1/2017 06:47:06 pm
I had both my boys via emergency c section so had to stay for a few nights, I had to rely on the staff a lot to help me. Would have loved my partner their with me as moral support n as a helping hand especially with my second delivery as it was early evening n my partner had to go home at 3am when I was transferred back to ward 11. Hi, my other half left us when I got transferred back to ward 11 from delivery suite, I felt like I wanted to cry and he was extremely close to tears too although we had been up over 24 hours too so tired, he drove home with his sister at 5.30 am. He really didn't like leaving us even that night at 8pm too! I only stayed one whole night so that was ok. But I think he would have liked to stay.
Hannah
10/1/2017 09:25:58 pm
I don't think they should be allowed, in cases of domestic abuse this is the only chance to escape it even if for a few hours with a new baby
Jess
20/2/2017 10:27:54 am
I strongly agree that partners should be able to stay. I was induced with my first baby, although I was having contractions every 5 minutes I was not dilating, this went on for 55 hours until I had an emergency c section. I went back to the ward in the early morning and my partner was sent home. My baby was unable to feed so I had to try and feed her every couple of hours, night and day. By this point I had been unable to sleep for 3 days, had an operation and was left to look after my first baby on my own. I was in for a further 4 days because my baby was jaundice and I had an infection. The midwives are so busy they are not able to give 1.1 support. What should have been a happy time for me after trying for a baby for several years was emotional and full of stress. It would have helped to have my partner with me and also would help to support the midwives who are already stretched. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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September 2020
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