'Women Will Not Be Forced to Be Alone When They Are Giving Birth'

[Crunchy Frog]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/28/parenting/nyc-coronavirus-hospitals-visitors-labor.html

In response to some private hospitals’ decision to bar partners, New York will order all hospitals to allow partners in delivery rooms, despite the coronavirus risk.

Melissa DeRosa, the secretary to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, announced that an executive order would be issued that required all hospitals in New York, both public and private, to allow women to have a partner in the labor and delivery room — in compliance with the latest guidance from the New York State Department of Health.

The order, which the governor released Saturday night, is a response to a decision earlier this week by two major New York City hospital systems, NewYork-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai, to ban support people from labor and delivery rooms because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This is a very sound decision IMO. Apparently panicked pregnant women were preparing to stampede to other states to give birth, or even hastily deciding on poorly planned home births.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Presumably the "partner" has been in repeated close contact with the birthgiver recently. n/t

[dawg day]

2. I hope other states realize a partner in the labor room isn't dangerous--

A young friend of mine-- a month from delivery-- was starting to talk about home birth because she didn't want to deliver alone (of course, with nurse and doctor). She hasn't been able to find a midwife in her area. If she can have her husband with her, she would feel much better about delivering in the hospital.

I think it would be scary to be pregnant now... so little certainty. The joy will be mitigated by the fear.

[Crunchy Frog]

3. I think they didn't think through the possible unforseen consequences of this policy.

Whatever the possible benefits may be, the potential costs are likely far greater. I'm glad that the Governor rescinded it.

Someone on the Reddit forum, who had a home birth, said that her midwife had suddenly been inundated with hundreds of calls.

[DFW]

4. I can't even imagine the rationale for this

I would have broken through a brick wall to be by my wife's side when she gave birth to our daughters (luckily I didn't have to).

[dewsgirl]

5. My DIL is due May 4th, my son is in Qatar, as of now I will

be in the delivery room with her. They have already warned her this is likely to change, we're in Florida.

[Crunchy Frog]

6. Giving this a kick.