I was in the post-natal ward with two other ladies who had just given birth. In the bay next to me, the father wanted to stay overnight with his partner, which was apparently allowed.
I felt so uncomfortable with this as I was still getting regular physical assessments of my genital area. The father was up making loud noises all night, walking about the ward putting things in bins very loudly etc. This kept me and my child up all night. He was using the patient toilets and at one point I could hear he was very obviously in the bed with his partner being "intimate".
When he was allowed to stay, I can only assume it was with the understanding that it was to help with baby, allowing his partner to sleep; this never happened. He kept waking her up through the night to talk (loudly), putting lights on and getting in and out of bed with her. I felt extremely uncomfortable and genuinely unsafe getting up to use the toilet or walk around.
The next morning I was emotionally distressed due to all the events overnight which could and should have been avoided.
Normal visiting times are 10:00am to 10:00pm which I believe is plenty of time for family, friends and partners to come and visit. I believe the rules regarding fathers staying overnight need to be reassessed. The birthing experience is emotional and exhausting as it is without the added stress of feeling uncomfortable, distressed and generally unsafe on the post-natal ward during the night.
"Fathers staying overnight with partner in post-natal ward."
About: Maternity care / Maternity care (Ward 50) Maternity care Maternity care (Ward 50) G51 4TF
Posted by lepusxd96 (as ),
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