Maternity visitors

Information regarding maternity appointments, births and ward visiting

We recognise the important role partners, family and friends play in supporting our women during their pregnancy, labour and while on our maternity wards.

Restrictions are currently in place to ensure any risk of infection is minimised. These restrictions are under constant review.

Please find details of our current guidelines below, you can also view a document detailing the latest position on access for partners

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Visiting is now allowed on our maternity wards

The nominated birth partner may attend for two hours, once a day per woman, 7 days a week.  This designated visitor will be identified when the patient is admitted. Please see full details about visitors to our maternity wards below.

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Birth partners

Women in labour are permitted to have one birth partner with them during initial labour assessment, labour or when one to one care on the labour ward or birth centre is required.

Women can continue to have one birth partner with them for a planned caesarean.

Partners are also permitted during induction of labour between 7am and 7pm.

If after labour, a baby needs to be transferred to the Neonatal intensive care unit, both parents will be able to be present at the point of transfer. Arrangements are made for both parents to be swabbed for COVID-19. One parent can be with their baby for 24 hours a day – parents are able to alternate. Two-hour long slots can be booked with the Nursing team for other visitors.

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Out patient appointments – including antenatal and postnatal checks and scans

With the exception of 12-week scan appointments, no partners or visitors are permitted to attend other antenatal or postnatal outpatient appointments, please attend alone.

12 week scans: One adult companion will be permitted to accompany women to their 12 week scan.

Please follow the guidelines below:

• • Do not enter the department until 10 minutes before the scan
  • Companions will need to answer a series of question to check there is no risk, or potential risk of infection and must:
  • Wear a surgical mask at all times during the visiting period
  • Not sit on chairs while in the waiting room
  • Stay within the area indicated inside the scan room
  • Use hand sanitiser before and after leaving the clinic area
  • Leave the clinic promptly following the scan

Please note: We are aware of the distress not being able to attend all appointments with chosen companions may cause. Further changes in restrictions will be updated on our website as soon as they are approved.

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Additional notes

• No children will be allowed on the maternity wards or in the maternity clinics.
• Check with your midwife for exceptional circumstances.
• Visitors/birth partners must not enter our maternity unit if they feel unwell, especially if they:
  • Have a temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss of taste or smell, or diarrhoea or vomiting.
  • Have been in contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
  • Are self-isolating or shielding

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Antenatal classes and tours

All face-to-face antenatal classes, tours and drop-in sessions have been cancelled until further notice.

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Further information

We have prepared information on useful resources you can access online to help prepare you for the birth of your baby on our  Birth Choices website

Other useful links:
• Bucks MVP Facebook page
• Bucks Maternity Voices Partnership
• The NHS Baby Buddy app

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Guidance for women on home visits

Please help us help you when one of our team visits you at home.