We know that you will be worried about what the impact of this virus means for you and your baby. The latest information on COVID-19 and pregnancy is available on the NHS website here. There’s no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus, but it is important that you follow the guidance.

Instagram_1080x1350-768x960.jpg.jpgDuring the coronavirus pandemic, we have worked hard to ensure that the care that you receive is as close to our normal service as possible.

You will receive the same number of midwife contacts and doctor appointments as you would have in any other time. Your safety is always our priority and we are here to support you as always.

Please help us to help you by staying in touch with us too.

We would like you to inform us if you are feeling unwell with any of the following symptoms:

  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough
  • you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

If you have these symptoms, please book a free test to find out if you have Covid-19. If you are symptomatic or have had a positive test of Covid-19, please inform your community midwife or call Maternity Triage on 01737 231764 to ensure you continue to receive the safest care for you and your baby.

  • SCANS:
    • We were one of the first units in our region to reintroduce birth partner attendance at your antenatal scans and continue to offer this. Please email sash.sasha@nhs.net for support with personalised plans.
  • BIRTH:
    • Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we have warmly welcomed one well birthing partner to support you and share the full birth experience from the beginning of your active labour and until the early postnatal period.
  • ANTENATAL APPOINTMENTS:
    • We would love to welcome your birth partner to all of your antenatal appointments and try to accommodate birth partners whenever we can. Some of our rooms are limited in size and space and this can affect our ability to safely support our families.
    • We see women during and after their pregnancies in GP practices throughout the community, as well as hospital based clinics. These venues have been risk assessed and not all of them can support safe social distancing with the reintroduction of support partners.  This is the same as you will have seen in local community settings such as shops and restaurants.
    • Therefore, you will be informed by your midwife if your support partner can attend your antenatal appointments. As with all of our guidelines, we are always reviewing these against your personalised care plans and alongside the best and latest safety information.
    • We are working to get additional space to allow for more spacing in our clinics, however you will appreciate that this takes time.
  • Rusper ward: one hour visiting per day from named birthing partner, providing they have not got symptoms or a positive test for COVID-19 nor have been informed to self-isolate by NHS Track and Trace. Please talk to your named midwife if you require an individualised visiting care plan.
  • Burstow ward:  
    • Two allocated birth partners (those present at the birth) are welcome 8am – 8pm.
    • Maximum of one birth partner overnight 8pm – 8am. We encourage birth partners to rest at home overnight when possible.
    • Quiet time is between 1pm – 3pm. Birth partners are welcome to stay in this time but please limit moving around the ward, entering and exiting the ward and keep noise to a minimum. No other visitors are permitted during this time.
    • Between 4pm – 6pm, siblings of the baby are welcome to visit.
    • Children, except siblings, are not permitted on the ward.
    • Family and friends are welcome to visit between 4pm and 8pm.  
    • No more than 2 adults are permitted at the bedside at any time. This includes in our side rooms.

In line with national guidance, we’re doing all we can to offer comprehensive maternity care for you:

  • All of your appointments should now be face to face and following the normal care schedule – please see your Antenatal Care Schedule.
  • We continue to offer waterbirths and all pain relief options during labour.
  • Our Home Birth Team continue to offer their full complement of services.  We work closely with the ambulance service to monitor activity to ensure a safe homebirth service.
  • At least one of your postnatal contacts should be provided in the comfort of your own home.

Unfortunately some of our usual services may be affected at various times:

  • Some of our continuity of carer intrapartum pathways have been suspended due to staff redeployment during the pandemic
  • All face to face Pregnancy and Beyond classes, including Parent Craft, Bump to Birth, Wise Hippo and Evergreen Birth Preparation are temporarily suspended.
  • We will let you know at the earliest possible time if there are any additional changes that may affect your care.

Please see the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website for the most up to date evidence based guidance on maternity care during the pandemic.

Please follow us on: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for our regularly updated local advice.

Pregnancy and coronavirus: information leaflets

PDF file iconCOVID-19 maternity parents information leaflet

The covid-19 pandemic has caused additional stress and anxiety to all of our local population.  Many of our families have been touched by bereavement and trauma.  We know that being pregnant during the pandemic will cause additional anxiety and may lead to varied levels of mental health deterioration.

For your support we have developed the below information resource that will help to guide you with some tools to  manage these additional stresses and anxieties.  It also includes links to additional resources available to you to support your mental wellbeing during pregnancy.

Managing your Mental Health During the Covid19 Pandemic

If you are feeling down, depressed or hopeless and no longer able to cope with your anxiety then please make sure you speak to a member of our team – your midwife, doctor or GP will be able to give you some additional support as required.  Please keep us informed so that we can help you.

Information on coronavirus for pregnant BAME women

Watch this video guide from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: