In line with national guidance, the birthing partner is only able to be present during labour and delivery.
Visiting is not permitted by the birthing partner once mum has been admitted to post-natal wards following the delivery.
If it is anticipated that the mother can be discharged directly from the labour ward after giving birth to go home, the birthing partner is able to stay within the labour ward and to accompany their partner home to the care of the community midwives.
If admittance to a post-natal ward is required this would be when the birthing partner will be asked to leave and can only come back when mother and baby are discharged.
Anna Stabler, Interim Chief Nurse at North Cumbria Integrated NHS Foundation Trust said: “We appreciate that the arrival of a baby is a special event and the latest national guidance will undoubtedly cause disappointment but it’s really important that we follow the guidance. Safety is our top priority and these measures are necessary to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
“We know there may be some exceptional individual circumstances and we will support families on an individual basis to meet their needs.
“Our maternity team have updated the frequently asked questions information and this will be shared with expectant mums via the maternity notes app which is the electronic portal the Trust uses for maternity notes.
“Our team of midwives are all here and ready to provide care during what is an exciting and special time for families brining new life into the world. We would encourage mums to continue to contact their midwife if they have any questions at all, we are here to support them and will do our very best to help during this extraordinary time of having baby.”
The updated FAQ is also available at: https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/application/files/8015/8695/7402/Maternity_FAQs_15_April.pdf
