Question: If my labor is being induced, will my birth partner be able to be with me?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Coronavirus infection and pregnancy
section_headers: Information for all pregnant women about childbirth choices and birth partners during the coronavirus pandemic
Q. Will I be able to have my birth partner with me if I am being induced?
section_content: A birth partner without symptoms may be able to attend your induction of
labour where that is in a single room (e.g. on the maternity suite) but not if
the induction takes place in a bay on a main ward, as it would not be possible
to achieve the necessary social distancing measures.
We understand this must be a very worrying and anxious time if you are
pregnant and your birth partner can’t be with you while you are being induced;
however, it is essential that we limit the number of visitors to hospitals
during this time.
This guidance is in place to protect other pregnant women and babies, and
birth partners themselves. Please be assured that if your birth partner is
unable to be with you on a ward during your induction, this will not impact on
your birth partner’s presence during labour and the birth, unless they are
unwell. At the point you go into active labour, you will be moved to your own
room and your birth partner will be able to join you.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Provides a clear answer to the question about induction of labor in the first sentence.
This is a direct answer to the question. This answer provides information on whether or not a birth partner is allowed to attend an induced labor and the conditions to attend.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Coronavirus infection and pregnancy
section_headers: Information for all pregnant women about childbirth choices and birth partners during the coronavirus pandemic
Q. Will I be able to have my birth partner with me on the postnatal ward?
section_content: To ensure compliance with social distancing measures and prevent the spread of
coronavirus, visitor restrictions are in place across all hospital wards,
including antenatal and postnatal wards. We understand it may be upsetting not
having your birth partner with you on the postnatal ward after you have given
birth, but these restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of transmission
of coronavirus to you, your baby, the maternity staff and birth partners
themselves. Please be reassured that during this time, midwifery, obstetric
and support staff will do their best to support the needs for all women and
the practical challenges of caring for newborns after birth.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Provides a clear answer to the question of whether partners can be present during births.
This information provides explanation on restriction regarding birth partner accompanying a mother at the postnatal ward after giving birth. It does not provide any information on whether or not the birth partner is allowed to be with the mother during labor.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Coronavirus infection and pregnancy
section_headers: Information for all pregnant women about childbirth choices and birth partners during the coronavirus pandemic
Q. Will my birth partner be able to stay with me if I have a caesarean or instrumental birth that occurs in an operating theatre?
section_content: We fully support women having their birth partners with them during labour and
birth, unless they are unwell, when an alternative well birth partner can
attend.
Around one in four women in the UK has a caesarean birth. A caesarean may be
recommended as a planned (elective) procedure for medical reasons or as an
emergency – for example, if doctors and midwives are concerned that your baby
is not coping with labour and needs to be born immediately.
Furthermore, around one in five women in the UK has an instrumental birth
(ventouse or forceps). Some of these types of birth may also be recommended to
occur in an operating theatre in order to allow the maternity team to modify
plans and undertake a caesarean birth if necessary.
Most caesareans and instrumental births in theatre are carried out under
spinal or epidural anaesthetic, which means you’ll be awake, but the lower
part of your body is numb and you cannot feel any pain. In this situation,
everything will be done by the clinical staff – midwives, obstetricians and
anaesthetists – to keep your birth partner with you.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, staff in the operating theatre will be
wearing enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of
infection, which will make it more difficult for them to communicate. To
enable the clinicians to assist in the birth of your baby safely, it’s really
important your birth partner follows the instructions from the maternity team
carefully and quickly.
Occasionally, a general anaesthetic (where you’re put to sleep) may be used,
particularly if your baby needs to be born urgently. During this type of
caesarean birth, even under more usual circumstances, for safety reasons it is
not possible for the birth partner to be present during the birth.
While the maternity team will do all they can to ensure that your birth
partner is present for the birth, there will be some occasions when there is a
need for an urgent emergency birth with epidural or spinal anaesthetic, and it
will not be possible for your birth partner to be present. This is because,
during an emergency, operating theatres are more high-risk environments in
terms of potential spread of coronavirus to everyone who is present.
If it is the case that your birth partner will not be able to be present
during the birth, your maternity team will explain this to you and will do
everything they can to ensure that your birth partner can see you and your
baby as soon as possible after the birth.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Says that birth partners can still be present for births during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is a direct answer to the question. This answer provides comprehensive information on when a pregnant woman's partner will be allowed to be with her during birth and what will happen during the birth process.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent