Women due to give birth at Liverpool Women's Hospital have said they are 'dreading' it due to the maternity restrictions in place.
Mums-to-be in Liverpool have been speaking up about their experiences of pregnancy and birth during the coronavirus pandemic.
Across England, NHS Trusts have different rules and policies in place for what women and their families are allowed to do when they come to give birth in hospital.
Some restrictions are starting to be lifted at Liverpool Women's Hospital (LWH), with women now allowed one birth partner, although it was previously two partners. After being contacted by the ECHO, the hospital has now confirmed more restrictions will be lifted this week, meaning partners will be able to visit the wards, but anxious mums have spent weeks facing the prospect of being left alone with their newborn baby.
Currently, once the baby is born and mothers are taken to the postnatal ward, partners must leave and no visits to the postnatal wards are allowed. Before finding out about the restrictions changing this week, one woman, who didn't want to be named, told the ECHO : "Once the mother is moved from the labour ward, no visitors at all are allowed, when lots of other hospitals are allowing the birth partner to visit the new mum to help with her well being.
"These ladies are being forgotten about and being left behind."
Another mum, who didn't want to be named, had her baby at LWH in April 2020 during the peak of the first wave of coronavirus.
She said: "My partner wasn't allowed in even though I was in established labour, they put me in a wheelchair, left me in a waiting room with other woman have whopping contractions. When they finally came to take me to room the nurse took one look at me and said ring your partner the baby is on its way.
"I had tried to tell them that initially, my partner arrived to me on my own in a room clinging on to a bed, the baby arrived three minutes later.
"It was horrific from start to finish but I suppose given the circumstances it was just how it was. Luckily both me and the baby were fine but it could have been a different story had their been complications.
"I was alone when the baby's head was crowning. This was my fifth child so luckily for me I knew what to expect but had that been my first baby I would have been traumatised possibly left with PTSD, more needs to be done for mothers going through this during these times."
Melissa Morris is due to give birth in five weeks, she said: "I'm dreading it with the restrictions in place, I had a C-section with my first but opted to try naturally this time but if I go over I have opted for another section instead of being induced.
"I don't think it's fair how strict the hospital is being compared to other hospitals like Arrowe Park and Warrington. Partners should be allowed to visit and help you out, I would have been lost without my husband when I had a section last time, you can't move for hours post section.
"I'm just glad it's not my first baby as I feel like, at the moment, partners are missing out on precious memories by not being able to go to scans or spend time on the wards after their babies have been born it is something that they will never get back."
Laura Lyons said she has opted for a section because of the current restrictions in place.
She said: "My last was a section for undiagnosed breech after way too long with waters gone. By the time I had the section, I was shattered and then being left with a newborn to look after having been awake for two days and having had surgery.
"Rather than risk that again I've opted for a section which yes I might have normally, but the restrictions and lack of visitors have definitely swayed my decision. I have been told I will need to be tested for Covid prior to admission, and expected to isolate between then and my admission, as will my partner.
"So if we both come back negative and isolate you would think he would be able to accompany me to the ward for a short time to at least make sure I was settled. Wrong. I'd understand restricting people in and out but when he is already in for the op? I can't get a straight answer out of PALS.
"I have been told it's because babies are vulnerable, but the last time I checked babies around the country are vulnerable?
"Other areas who had lockdowns are allowing an hour or two visiting a day, Arrow Park is allowing partners to stay indefinitely following birth (but once you're in, you can't leave and return) but having repeatedly requested the logic behind WHY the restrictions are so tight when other trusts aren't, I'm still yet to receive a sensible, logical answer."
One dad also explained how he missed his daughter's birth. Phil Wheatley said: "I missed my daughter's birth in April cause only one person was allowed in and I had to stay with my son."
Liverpool Women's Hospital confirmed after being contacted by the ECHO yesterday, that it will now be lifting visiting restrictions from Wednesday, October 7.
Medical director Andrew Loughney, said: "Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, safety has been our priority - for women, babies, families and our staff. Because of this, access to the hospital has been restricted and we understand that this has been very difficult for many people.
"Restrictions have only been kept in place, however, for as long as has been absolutely necessary. We have been systematically making changes to our hospital site over time so that safe access can be provided without putting people at risk and this work continues, despite the current rise in COVID-19 cases in the North West.
"In the latest developments, for example, we will be re-introducing access to the postnatal wards for support partners from Wednesday, October 7. We remain committed to providing the safest care possible and the best possible experience for our patients in these difficult times."
You can visit liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/covid19/ for the latest updates.
