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As someone with a pregnant wife, I'd also like to mention that birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, etc. are also not available at the moment. My wife has

As someone with a pregnant wife, I'd also like to mention that birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, etc. are also not available at the moment. My wife has had to "visit" an OB/GYN over Zoom. I don't know how effective or not midwives and such are (I really should get on that...) but women are having to go without them or choose to go without having fathers by their sides. Some places have stopped any visitors from being present. There are potentially long term health impacts from the above changes, I'd imagine. Not all of what a hospital deals with is immediately life threatening, though putting it off can certainly make it so.

ceejayoz 6y ago
A midwife is a person who delivers the baby. Maybe you're thinking of doulas? If so, New York indicated doulas wouldn't be counted as visitors, but essential healthcare staff ( https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/secretary-governor-melissa-derosa-issues-report-governor-cuomo-outlining-covid-19-maternity https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/secretary-governor-melissa-... ); it's worth looking up how your state and/or hospital is handling this. NY also apparently settled on "dads can attend, but should plan to stay in the hospital rather than popping in and out". ( https://gothamist.com/news/all-ny-hospitals-must-now-let-partners-stay-women-they-recover-giving-birth https://gothamist.com/news/all-ny-hospitals-must-now-let-par... ) Hospitals are rightly trying to figure out what rules make sense. It's not surprising there's some uncertainty, and adjustments will be made as we learn more.
- Zach_the_Lizard 6y ago
  > Maybe you're thinking of doulas? Yes, that's right -- sorry for the mix up. > If so, New York indicated doulas wouldn't be counted as visitors, but essential healthcare staff Thanks for sharing, but that's seemingly not the policy in the actual hospitals that I can see. From NYU Langone's visitor policy (https://nyulangone.org/patient-family-support/visiting-hours https://nyulangone.org/patient-family-support/visiting-hours): > Labor and delivery patients are permitted one visitor throughout the labor, delivery, and postpartum period, which can include a partner, family member, doula, or other support person. The visitor cannot be rotated. It seems like there is no option to have both a doula and the father present. I honestly have no idea if we would even use a doula--I've done approximately zero research into them at this point--but it's a pretty hard choice to make at the moment.

ceejayoz 6y ago

A midwife is a person who delivers the baby. Maybe you're thinking of doulas? If so, New York indicated doulas wouldn't be counted as visitors, but essential healthcare staff ( https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/secretary-governor-melissa-derosa-issues-report-governor-cuomo-outlining-covid-19-maternity https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/secretary-governor-melissa-... ); it's worth looking up how your state and/or hospital is handling this. NY also apparently settled on "dads can attend, but should plan to stay in the hospital rather than popping in and out". ( https://gothamist.com/news/all-ny-hospitals-must-now-let-partners-stay-women-they-recover-giving-birth https://gothamist.com/news/all-ny-hospitals-must-now-let-par... ) Hospitals are rightly trying to figure out what rules make sense. It's not surprising there's some uncertainty, and adjustments will be made as we learn more.

Zach_the_Lizard 6y ago
> Maybe you're thinking of doulas? Yes, that's right -- sorry for the mix up. > If so, New York indicated doulas wouldn't be counted as visitors, but essential healthcare staff Thanks for sharing, but that's seemingly not the policy in the actual hospitals that I can see. From NYU Langone's visitor policy (https://nyulangone.org/patient-family-support/visiting-hours https://nyulangone.org/patient-family-support/visiting-hours): > Labor and delivery patients are permitted one visitor throughout the labor, delivery, and postpartum period, which can include a partner, family member, doula, or other support person. The visitor cannot be rotated. It seems like there is no option to have both a doula and the father present. I honestly have no idea if we would even use a doula--I've done approximately zero research into them at this point--but it's a pretty hard choice to make at the moment.