Corona current: Accompanying births in Bonn again permitted

Most women would like the loving accompaniment of a trusted person of their choice to give birth to their child. However, the current developments in the corona crisis in Germany are currently leading to restrictions in obstetrics, which can result in women having to do without an accompanying person at birth. In addition, the visit options are limited to postpartum wards.

"Visiting ban indefinitely"

For example, the University Clinic of Bonn briefly stopped giving birth support at all. The fathers were also affected by the regulation. The clinic justified this decision with the following statement:

"In view of the current and worsening corona crisis, we in the obstetrics and prenatal medicine clinic have had to decide on a step that is very difficult for us: To keep the risk of infection for patients and staff as low as possible, we are now banned from visiting enact. Only expectant mothers are allowed to enter our clinic building. Unfortunately, this means that expectant fathers are not allowed to accompany or visit their pregnant women before, during or after birth. This applies to spontaneous as well as Caesarean section births. A visit to the postpartum ward is no longer possible for fathers or other relatives. "

Accompaniment is now possible again

On Monday, March 23, 2020, the clinic announced that fathers can be re-admitted as companions at birth with restrictions. The following statement can be read on Facebook:

"The Bonn clinics that provide obstetrics (GFO Kliniken Bonn, the Johanniter Hospital, the Community Hospital Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn) have decided to allow future fathers to take part in the active phase of the birth of their children under special conditions a decision from 17.3.2020.

In order to find a balance between the ban on visiting, which applies to everyone, and the special situation in obstetrics, fathers-to-be from tomorrow can again accompany women under birth, subject to conditions. The fathers-to-be or another caregiver must fill in a questionnaire about their own state of health beforehand. In addition, they are equipped with a face mask and have to undergo strict hand disinfection. In addition, they must follow the instructions of the clinic staff, keep a distance of 1.5 meters from the midwives and must not leave the delivery room during childbirth. When the mother and child are transferred to the postnatal ward, the fathers or the caregiver may not accompany. The regulation applies to all forms of natural birth and begins with the active phase of the birth (from a progressive opening of the cervix). In the phases before, fathers are asked to be on call. Fathers / caregivers are not allowed in the operating room during a Caesarean section. Fathers and other relatives are prohibited from visiting the maternity ward.

The Bonn clinics have decided to take this step together after having re-evaluated the risks and availability of protective clothing. They hope to meet the needs of expectant parents as well as those of infection control. Most parents-to-be understand and approve of these weighing-up measures, which were not easy for those responsible for obstetrics. "

There are also restrictions in other clinics

As reported, among others, by the Tagesspiegel in Berlin, there are other clinics that are currently restricting the options for childbirth support and visits for hospitals and thus also for postnatal wards. Accordingly, the Klinikum Süd in Rostock initially prohibited the presence of the partner in the delivery room. In the meantime, however, a symptom-free companion may be present at birth. In the DRK clinics in Berlin, an accompanying person may still be with the birth and the fathers may also go to the postpartum ward, but further visits from friends and family are not permitted. In the Helios Clinic Berlin Buch, an accompanying person is also allowed in the delivery room, but only one person per day is allowed to visit after that and family rooms are no longer offered for the time being.

Explore in time according to current conditions

Such news naturally causes great uncertainty among pregnant women and their families. "Mother Hood eV", the federal parents' initiative to protect mother and child during pregnancy, birth and the first year of life, which has long been committed to safe births in Germany, has therefore reacted quickly to the topic and gives tips on dealing with it on its website this particular situation. The article by Mother Hood e. V. is continuously updated.

There is no legal basis on the basis of which a pregnant woman can request the accompaniment of a symptom-free confidant, however, based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the recommendations of various professional societies, "involuntary childbirth without a partner is prohibited".

At Brigitte.de's request, Katharina Desery of "Mother Hood e.V .:" Certainly an escort cannot be forced. At the moment we can only recommend pregnant women and their partners to talk to the clinic. Be sure to ask on what legal basis this measure was decided. And point out that it is handled differently elsewhere. And it is certainly helpful to explain what the exclusion of the father means psychologically, what fears and worries it causes. We are hoping for an insight on the clinic side. After all, the partner is more than a spectator. It is emotional support at birth and is part of the birth team ".

The women had full understanding of the ban on visiting the maternity ward. "But to deny them their partner in this already existing exceptional situation cannot be."

"A birth is an existential event for the whole family"

In the meantime, the German Midwifery Association has also made an official statement on Facebook on the subject and urges for exemptions for births:

Birth is an existential event for the whole family. The separation of the parturient from the partner and the family during and after the birth can have far-reaching consequences for family ties.

It continues: "Even in regular hospital operations, refusing assistance would mean leaving the woman all alone during childbirth. Because midwives usually look after more than one woman giving birth. The German Midwifery Association therefore urges the clinics to find an exception for fathers or other accompanying persons at birth for the justifiable and understandable stop to visitors in the hospitals. "

Would you like to exchange information on the subject of coronoa virus? Then check out our BRIGITTE community. You can find a personal report from a mother on the subject here: Pregnant in times of Corona – how we can remain optimistic.

Sources used: mother-hood.de, tagesspiegel.de, statement University Hospital Bonn, Instagram