We understand that this may be a worrying time for our maternity patients. We want to reassure you that our entire maternity services team is here to support you during your pregnancy, labour and birth.
All areas of maternity services are working hard to help protect you and your baby from the risk of coronavirus (COVID19). We have introduced a number of changes to our services to help support this. These changes will remain in place until further notice to keep our staff and patients safe.
If you have any worries or concerns about your pregnancy, please continue to contact your community midwife or the maternity assessment unit. Please do not put off coming in to hospital. It is important that we are able to support you and address any concerns you may have.
We are continuing to follow national guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Midwives and Anaesthetists. This is changing regularly so please continue to check our website for any further updates.
In the event that you feel that you have specific needs as an individual, please do speak with your community midwife or, alternatively, a member of staff at your Hospital appointment.
We appreciate the worry and concern that is caused by the restrictions and recognise the immense challenge experienced by women and their families throughout the year. We thank you for your patience and send warm wishes from all of us within the Maternity Service.
Our current maternity arrangements
Face masks
From 7 June 2022, staff and visitors no longer need to wear face masks in all non-clinical areas of Newcastle Hospitals, unless it is their personal preference to do so.
The change has been made in line with national guidance about the mandated use of masks in healthcare settings.
However, visitors will still be asked to continue to wear face masks in many ‘higher risk’ clinical areas – such as critical care, cancer wards and older people’s medicine – to help ensure we protect our more vulnerable patients or in wards where patients may be infectious.
Please ask the team who are looking after you if you wish them to wear a mask.
Please be considerate of waiting areas where there might be vulnerable patients waiting. Further information is available here.
Scans
One adult is welcome to attend all ultrasound scans.
Antenatal appointments & Maternity Assessment Unit
One adult is welcome to attend all hospital appointments with you.
Induction
One birthing partner is welcome to attend your induction with you and stay for all of your labour care. A second birthing partner can join you when you are moved to your delivery room.
Labour
One birthing partner is welcome to attend with you for assessment of labour, if it is time to stay a second birthing partner can join you and stay for all of your labour care.
Planned caesareans
Your birthing partner is welcome to attend with you from admission. They will accompany you to theatre for the birth of your baby.
Antenatal and postnatal wards
Two adults as well as your birth partner and siblings are welcome to visit between 8am and 8pm each day.
We understand that this is a special time for your family but ask that if your child is unwell, they do not come into the hospital environment.
All visitors must remain within your bed space at all times. Your visitors will be verbally screened for COVID-19 on arrival at Maternity Reception.
You can find out more about the changes to our services here.
The Local Maternity Service for Northern England have also provided support information about coronavirus and pregnancy. Find out more here.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
It is important that we ensure our maternity services remain safe so all our women and babies can be cared for in the safest environment. All patients and visitors will be asked if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been in contact with someone who has recently tested positive. Our team will discuss this with you when you arrive.