Maternity
services

Frequently asked questions

We have had many enquiries regarding the latest rules and restrictions and so we have prepared responses to these ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) in the hope that they answers your questions.

This FAQ contains the most recent changes that we have made to our maternity services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and most recent government visiting guidance.

We understand that being pregnant is a very special and sometimes stressful time and we want to ensure that you have the best experience possible, while keeping you and your families safe.

This means our restrictions will continue to be under review and could be eased further or tightened again depending on the risks to the women in our care and our staff.

Information about COVID-19 testing for maternity

Do I have to wear a face covering when I come to the hospital?

• If you and your partner/companion are attending the hospital for an appointment or scan both of you should wear a face covering.
• If you are in labour, you do not need to wear a face covering.
• Birth partners should always wear a face covering

Can I have someone with me at antenatal appointment?

Yes. To attend the appointments, support partners must have had a rapid COVID-19 test within 24 hours of your appointment at home, your local pharmacy, GP, or the drive through asymptomatic COVID testing centre at Watford or St Alban’s Hospital. 

When you come for your appointment you will need to provide proof of a negative rapid COVID-19 test from the government test reporting system. Your support partner must show their negative lateral flow test to the receptionist

If you do not provide proof, we will unfortunately not be able to allow you into the department

Should I continue to keep all my appointments that I have booked?

Yes, it’s important to keep all your appointments as they are often booked at a specific time in your pregnancy. Some of these appointments will be face to face, and others will be via telephone or video call. We will let you know in advance how you will be seen.

Can I have someone with me at scans other than the dating/combined screening scan and the 20-week anomaly scan?

Yes, under our latest visiting guidance one nominated person can accompany you at the dating/combined screening scan, 20-week anomaly scan and any other routine scanning appointment.

Your support partner/ companion is expected to stand two metres from the sonographer. This is to help us maintain social distancing. Please do not bring your children.

If I’m induced, can my birth partner attend from the start of the induction?

Yes. You can bring one named support partner or companion during the induction of labour phase. Your birth partner can attend with you on admission if they have had negative PCR COVID-19 test result. They will have daily 2 hours visiting time slot on the ward. Inductions usually begin in a shared area where social distancing is only possible if birth partners are always not present.

When you are transferred to the labour ward or the birthing centre, your birth partner can stay with you until you give birth.

Can I have my birth partner with me for a caesarean section?

Yes. You and one named support partner or companion will be offered PCR COVID-19 test at the same time 3 days before your admission. When you are admitted for an elective caesarean section, your nominated birth partner will accompany you to the ward and stay with you while you are prepared for theatre, in theatre, and afterwards in recovery until you move back to the ward.

Can my birth partner stay with me after the birth?

One named birth partner can stay with women throughout labour, birth and for up to two hours post-birth (depending on when the woman and baby are transferred from the labour ward) Your partner will be allocated daily 2 hours visiting slot on postnatal ward until you are discharged on confirmation of negative PCR COVID or Lateral Flow Test result. This is to maintain two metre social distancing in a four bedded postnatal ward.

Can I swap the person I have with me?

No. To maintain a safe environment for you, all our other women and the staff caring for you, it must be the same person who stayed with you throughout labour and birth. This person would have had COVID-19 test result with you on labour ward.

Visiting guidance for emergency attendances

If you need to visit our maternity day assessment unit or early pregnancy unit in an emergency, the patient should proceed straight to the department. Where possible support partners should wait outside of the hospital and will be called if they are required to provide support.

Information for support partners, companions, or visitors

• The wearing of a surgical face mask is mandatory while you are inside the hospital, and it is essential that you wash or gel your hands before attending.
• Children are not permitted, including siblings.
• It is essential that we all continue to always respect social distancing, and any instructions given by our staff are followed.
• We reserve the right to restrict access if it is deemed unsafe or to maintain social distancing.
• You should not wait in the corridor area. Anyone waiting there will be asked to leave.
• If you or anyone in your household is symptomatic or has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days, you will not be able to accompany the patient.
• If the mother admitted to the ward is symptomatic, has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days or tested positive when they arrived at hospital, you will not be able to stay with them or visit.
• Only one designated support partner or visitor per patient is allowed. You must be from the same social bubble.
• Only use designated visitor's toilets, preferably on the ground floor before coming up to the ward or clinical area.
• Do not eat or drink while you are on the ward or clinical area.
• If the mother is being discharged outside of the scheduled visiting times, you will need to wait in the reception area for them.
• If the mother is admitted to the ward outside of the booked visiting time you will not be able to access the ward.

Where can I find more information?

You can find more information about COVID-19 and pregnancy on the following websites:

• NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/pregnancy-and-coronavirus/
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website - https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

I have more questions, who do I contact?

Please contact your midwife directly or call us on 01923 217343. You can also find the latest information on our Latest visiting guidance page or check out our Twitter and Facebook pages.