What expecting mothers should expect at the hospital
Carla McNutt had it all planned out.
Her fiancé, Brian Currie, and her mom were going to be there to support her as she welcomed her first baby at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro.
But as the coronavirus pandemic continues, the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Health Centre have been forced to only allow one support person in labour and delivery rooms.
“Going through a pregnancy with a plan to be able to have your mom as a second support person and then for that plan to be abruptly changed was just really hard to accept,” McNutt, who is due in less than two weeks, said in a phone interview last Friday.
McNutt is one of many expecting mothers across Nova Scotia who has had to cut their guest list back to one person.
Friday morning, Kayla Beaver was gearing up to head to, hopefully, her last appointment at the IWK Health Centre.
The only difference from her last appointments was her fiancé Cody Conway wasn’t allowed to join her, as the NSHA and IWK have banned visitors from the hospital. This includes people hoping to join patients to an appointment, unless it’s a parent or guardian with a pediatric patient or substitute decision-maker.
There are designated entrances at the IWK Health Centre where patients and people deemed as a support person go through a prescreening before continuing through the building.
“We know you want a partner or support person with you for your appointments and we are truly sorry that we cannot offer that comfort to you at this time,” the IWK said in a Facebook post addressed to expectant mothers.
Beaver, who had a miscarriage a few years ago, said she understands the importance of the restrictions put in place, but last week she said she hoped it can be reconsidered for prenatal appointments.
“Anything could happen during those appointments, so I don’t believe mothers should be alone,” she said. “There are other mothers like myself that have had losses and it would be devastating to hear bad news without any support at all.”
Nick Cox, spokesman for the IWK Health Centre, said the decision to restrict and limit people in the hospital during appointments and labour and delivery was difficult, but necessary to make.
“We recognize for folks that it’s a very exciting time in people’s lives, but we have to take the best of the restrictions for preventive measures to ensure that all patients and our staff remain safe,” Cox said.
Cox said phone calls, FaceTime and other methods of communication are welcomed and encouraged during appointments and after delivery for additional support for expecting mothers.
“There are a couple of restrictions if there are procedures and stuff, but for appointments and stuff, that’s totally acceptable,” Cox said.
The partner or support person will be allowed to stay with the mother after she gives birth, Cox said. He/she will also be able to go back and from the patient’s room where she’s recovering and the NICU, if needed.
The support person can’t rotate or change throughout the process, including during the postpartum recovery at the hospital.
McNutt said while she’s feeling the stress, anxiety and some disappointment amid the coronavirus pandemic, it will be washed away once she has her newborn baby in her arms with her fiancé by her side.
“I wish it didn’t come to this, but I’m just trying to roll with the punches at this point,” McNutt said. “I know my excitement will return once I’m holding our little guy.”