r/Glasgow Tools

I feel for you both. It's a tough situation.

Unless something has changed in the interim, I
literally was this a few days ago. Our baby was born on thursday.

Few pointers: if she's in the *mat ward*, partners often didn't stay there anyway as if she's in the advanced latent stage (I.e. 4cm) she could still be *quite a long time* from giving birth. Many men reasoned, rightly, go sort the abode out and get some sleep, because it's a commodity. My wife had contractions starting Saturday, was 4cm when she went in on wed morning and was 4cm 18 hours later! So there is still a long time potentially even when you go to the private suite, when partners are allowed back again all the way to birth. It is sad we can't be there to support them earlier, but again it could be days and many men don't anyway.

We heard scare stories of: epidural shortages and lower likelihood of c section due to staff shortages. We did not find that: once we were in the active labour suite if anything it was quiet and efficient.

One downer you might not be aware of: after birth you get an hour in labour ward together, then your partner and baby are off to mat ward for at least a day without you. Again, it's sad, but go get the shopping in, have a snooze, do a clean. You'll need it.

All the best and congrats in advance!