Rise of the Freebirthers article and TV programme

I think I probably made my feelings about having babies in hospital on other posts

But I must say it's nothing at all to do with the midwives themselves. Midwifes can only do what they can do inside all the policies and proceedures forced upon them in the hospital environment. One of my biggest hates is separating women from their partners - when arguably they may be at their most vulnerable and needing them the most!

Us midwife types really can make a massive difference - I truely believe that and would of course not be going anywhere near trying (though who know's if I'll ever make it!) to train to join the profession! For me it's all about communication!

Hope I haven't offended anyone... If I have, I'm sorry - I'm just not very good at getting my point across sometimes!

Not offended, just intrigued - what do you mean about separating women from their partners? The only instance I can think of this happening would be an emergency C-section - am I being naive?

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Well if a lady comes in for induction - she's often on the antenatal ward in early labour all night - trying not to disturb anyone else on the ward etc. If there are any problems - she can be on the same antenatal ward for any number of days/weeks and then even worse (in my opinion!) after babes is born - about 2 hours later they are taken to the ward - if this falls between 8pm and 10am (in our trust!) then the partner has to leave straight away - and if outside those times they still have to be left for the night of course - I just think it's horrid, horrid, horrid!

Having said all that - I do also apprieciate that some women wouldn't have it any other way - particularly if they've already some children at home - then hospital may be more restfull etc. But for a lot of women it's quite frightening and can just add to their feeling of having no control....

Just my opinion of course...

Whilst I can understand how it is distressing for women to have their partners leave them due to hospital constraints (I have been through it myself too, a few times) the privacy and dignity of the other women there must be protected, exceptions can and do get made, but generally these are few as the women in the hospital need some level of privacy and suffer many indignities there as it is wthout a strange man walking around at all hours, it just is not fair on everyone else.

Several times the visiting of others going outside of visiting hours affects the well-being of all the other women on the ward, and though I never thought I would I have had to ask (nicely of course) family members especially partners to leave as everyone else needs quiet time to try to rest with their babies and often without their babies for one reason or another.

I see your view completely, and dislike the hospital element of midwifery, but many of these women have no option other than to have their babies there, with some of them remaining there for long periods of time, whilst they all need their families there, day or night, it is simply not fair on others.

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is on tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. Someone may have already posted this, but just in case.....
x

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Site Administrator, Student Mentor Scheme Manager

STMW 2nd year - no, really!

Ohhh will have to watch this and sky+ it for missy too as she is at work bless her.

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misscurious x
JLS to win x

I don't get channel 5 - poor me! I'd like a full run down on here later please!

Just to add - I'm in no way suggesting partners should be able to stay in the current conditions in hospitals (wards etc). Or am I saying it would be easy to arrange. I'm just saying I think they way it is isn't very nice.

Since posting on a thread on here a couple of weeks back I've been thinking a lot about this. I had a horrid time - but still thought I'd have more smallfries along the way - but the more I see and the more I think about it - the more I question if I could really put myself through it all again - one things for sure, if it does ever happen - I'll be spending the best part of the pregnancy working myself into a little tiz like a right wally worrying about the end bit!

Hey ho - I realise my views are fairly extreme!

I don't think your views are that extreme Hollie, I didn't like it that my hubby got sent home as soon after our second son was born because he was born in the middle of the night (although I appreciated why).
I like the idea of birthing centres with family rooms and accommodation for partners, but I don't think that will happen everywhere because of the cost involved.

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My son was born via induction and i had to go in overnight. My partner obviously had to leave in the evening till the morning but i was fine with that. If you think about it the hospitals cant have everyones partners in overnight for many reasons. He was born the following evening and my partner had to leave a few hours after, again they were the rules and to be honest i was so tired i didnt care. My daughter was born in the morning and again when he left he couldnt come back till hospital times. This had nothing to do with the midwives and i felt sorry for them as often people would get annoyed with them but hey dont shoot the messenger. Im a big girl and although i couldnt have done without the massive support from my partner, there are certain things we just have to go through on our own. I guess i had very lovely labours (not the pain obviously) i also had my own room both times. This was lovely so i cant comment on being in a ward with others. Anyway once again ive gone on but im a massive advocate for the midwives in my area. They honestly couldnt have been more lovely.

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