Visiting our maternity department – what you can expect
Update to maternity visiting guidance - from June 2022
The visiting guidance to the maternity department at The Princess Alexandra Hospital has been updated. This is in line with the Government’s easing of national COVID-19 restrictions.
We are committed to ensuring that we provide high quality care whilst keeping women, pregnant people, babies, their families and our people safe.
The key information is:
- Birth partners and support people are no longer required to provide a negative lateral flow test (LFT) before coming into maternity. It is important that you do not attend if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, however you can choose to have an alternative partner/supporter. When in our service you must also continue to wear a face mask and social distance.
From 8 June:
- We support unrestricted visiting on our antenatal ward
- We have introduced a family hour between 4-5pm, where siblings can visit
- Visiting on the wards has increased from 8am-8pm every day
As a reminder, additional information regarding the Labour Ward and birth centre is:
- We can now welcome two birth partners on the Labour Ward and birth centre (when attending for labour and birth)
- Both partners do not need to wear a face mask, unless they would prefer to
- Visiting on the wards is permitted from 8am-8pm each day
- Both a woman/pregnant person and partner can attend scans
- Any partners who are COVID-19 positive are not able to attend the hospital and must follow Government guidance on isolation
- Face masks are no longer required to be worn at your appointments and within the hospital setting, unless you would prefer to
- No children are able to attend any appointments either within the hospital or community setting
You can read a letter to all who are booked for maternity care here.
Visiting guidance to the maternity department
Please adhere to the following guidance whilst visiting our maternity department:
- All visitors must wash or sanitise their hands before and after visiting relatives
- We have implemented a family hour between the hours of 4pm-5pm, where siblings can visit
- Please do not enter the hospital if you feel unwell
- If you have a high temperature or new cough please return home and self-isolate
- There is no swapping of birthing partners/support people
- Remain on the ward during the visiting period, unless you need to use the toilet facilities
- Use toilets allocated for the public and visitors only – please keep your mask on during this time
- Please do not sit on the patient's bed
- Please do not visit any other patients that may be cared for at the hospital
- Visitors must not bring in flowers, helium balloons or similar items
- Adhere to the allocated visiting time
- Be respectful to our teams at all times
Scan appointments
A woman or pregnant person’s partner or chosen support person can attend the 12-week scan, the 20-week scan, anomaly scan appointments and antenatal appointments.
Unfortunately, it remains not possible for children to attend, and chosen supporters must comply with the safety measures in place.
Labour and birth
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have consistently supported women and pregnant people in active labour to have their birthing partner present.
Women and pregnant people's chosen birthing partner can continue to attend from the start of the birthing process and all other assessments that are undertaken in an individual room on our Labour Ward and Birth Centre. Where women and pregnant people have chosen to have two birth partners, the second partner/support person can attend for labour and birth at this time. Where appointments are for triage, please note only one support person can attend as these can take place in a bay/ward.
For women or pregnant people who start labour at home
If a woman or pregnant person goes into labour at home, calls ahead and then goes to the unit, they will be assessed in a single room and therefore their partner/birth supporter can join them for that assessment. Some pregnant women/people will be advised to go home again because they may still be in early labour (latent phase), but if a pregnant woman/person is admitted because they are in active labour then their partner/birth supporter will go with them to the single birthing room either in the Labour Ward or on the Birthing Unit.
For women or pregnant people who are induced , or are admitted to Chamberlen Ward
We now support unrestricted visiting for one nominated support person on our antenatal ward (Chamberlen Ward). Your support person should not have symptoms of COVID-19.
You are no longer required to wear a face mask, but you can continue to wear one if you prefer to.
Your questions answered
Should I continue to keep all my appointments that I have booked?
Yes, it is important to keep all of your appointments, as they are often booked at a specific time in your pregnancy.
Can I have someone with me at scans?
A woman or pregnant person's partner or chosen support person can attend all scans and face-to-face antenatal appointments.
If I am induced, can my birth partner attend from the start of the induction?
We now support unrestricted visiting for one nominated support person on our antenatal ward (Chamberlen Ward). Your support person should not have symptoms of COVID-19.
You are no longer required to wear a face mask, but you can continue to wear one if you prefer to.
Can I have my birth partner with me for a caesarean section?
When you are admitted for an elective caesarean section, you will initially go to a ward to be prepared for theatre. As soon as you are transferred to the consultant-led unit, your partner can attend and stay with you in theatre, and afterwards in recovery until you transfer to the Postnatal Ward.
Can my birth partner stay with me after the birth?
Birth partners can stay with you after the birth until you transfer to the Postnatal Ward. Your named birth partner can visit the Postnatal Ward during the visiting hours of 08:00-20:00 (8am-8pm).
Can I swap the person I have with me?
To maintain a safe environment for you, all other women, pregnant people and the staff caring for you, it must be the same named person throughout your scan or birth.
Why do some hospitals have different rules?
Each hospital has different maternity facilities, with different sizes and layouts and this is why some hospitals can safely allow people to accompany women and pregnant people at different scans and stages of birth.
We are continually looking at how we can make further positive changes for women, pregnant people, babies and their families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety is our absolute priority and we must take all appropriate measures to protect women, pregnant people, babies, their families and our staff.
We have been working in partnership with East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to ensure a consistent approach to visiting which keeps women and pregnant people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We thank you for your understanding and support.