Maternity services
We deliver around 4,000 babies every year in our modern, well-equipped maternity unit, part of the women's and children's directorate.
Maternity Services Update - Visiting Information -
December 2020
As you may be aware, within our Maternity Services at Mid and
South Essex Hospitals, we have had to make some changes to keep
people safe and protected from coronavirus. These changes have
included restricting the number of people who can come to our
hospitals and clinics. We know how hard this has been for you and
your families and thank you all for supporting us to keep
everyone as safe as we can.
We have recently reviewed some of our restrictions in line with
the increased knowledge available and would like to update you with
the current situation at Basildon, Southend and Mid Essex as
follows:
One partner/support person can accompany you to all of your
Maternity scans. You will both be expected to wear a surgical mask
throughout the whole scan appointment. A visor is available if you
are mask exempt.
Unfortunately at this time, you will have to attend your
antenatal appointments without your partner/support person. You can
use your phone to face time or video call your partner/support
person so they can still be included in the appointment if this is
your choice.
One partner/support person can come in with you when you come in
for your elective caesarean section if that is your care pathway.
Your partner may be asked to return home once you have been
admitted and can then return before you go to theatre.
One partner/support person can come in with you when you come in
for your induction of labour if that is your care pathway. Your
partner may be asked to return home once you have been admitted and
can then return when you are in established labour.
One partner/supporter can come with when you come in to be
assessed to see if you are in labour and can remain with you if you
are, until after your baby is born.
All women are tested on admission for Covid-19. If your test
results come back as positive, or you are known to already be Covid
positive, your partner will be asked to remain at home to isolate
and return when you are in established labour.
When your baby is born, you will be able to spend some time
together in the birthing room. If you are being transferred to the
post-natal ward, your partner/support person will be asked to go
home to rest and will be given a time to return to see you on the
post-natal ward.
When you go home the midwife will visit you. Please prepare for
the visit by airing your home and opening all doors so the midwife
does not need to touch the handles. Please can we ask that there
are no other visitors in the house at this time.
Mid Essex Hospital has now commenced partner testing which will
take place prior to admission to the wards for Induction of labour,
elective caesarean sections or if you are in labour. If your
partner/support person's test result is positive, they will be
asked to follow the Government guidance and return home to
self-isolate. It is advisable to think about having another birth
partner/support person on standby just in case this happens.
We will keep you updated with regard to the progress for
Southend and Basildon with regard to partner testing.
Please note that children are not currently able to come to the
department.
We thank you for being patient, and do understand how difficult
this situation is for everyone.
Changes to Maternity Visiting policy
Labour Ward/Birthing Unit
Women admitted to labour ward/Midwifery Led Birthing Unit to
have one birth partner accompanying for assessment. To remain with
woman during birth.
Women admitted to Labour Ward for reasons outside of Labour can
have one person with them during admission.
Antenatal
Women coming in for Induction of Labour (IOL) to have a birth
partner attend for start of IOL procedure and then return home
To be called back if women is transferred to Labour Ward or if
contracting and needs support during this time.
Visiting on Anti Natal ward for all inpatients to be commenced
2hrs in the afternoon/evening. Staggered times arranged per bed
number.
Only one visitor each session and this need to be a consistent
visitor. Same visiting applied to antenatal patients who remain on
Labour ward.
Partners accompanying for scans to continue as currently in
place.
Due to the current pandemic we have been unable to offer
pregnant women any antenatal education classes.
We have been asked by many expectant mums if we had a list of
essential items they should bring with them when they go into
labour and come to the hospital. We have put together this sheet of information for women
that you might find useful.
Postnatal
Visiting to be increased from 1hr in the afternoon/evening to
2hrs. Staggered times depending on bed numbers.
Same visiting applied to Post Natal patients who remain on
Labour ward.
All visitors to have details taken and temp checks on arrival
and to wear face masks unless in a delivery room.
Staff at Southend University Hospital maternity service are
committed to providing high quality maternity care for women and
their families during pregnancy, labour and after the birth of
their baby.
We support women to have a choice of birthplace, as
this has been shown to have a positive effect on the birth
experience. The choice of a home birth or birth in our
midwife led birth unit will routinely be offered to women
with a straight forward pregnancy ( no known
complications that may affect pregnancy and the birth).
If your pregnancy is not straightforward, it is recommended
that, to meet your individual needs you have your baby in our
delivery suite.
Our maternity services support care both in the community and
the hospital. Generally this is for women who live in the Southend
and Castle Point areas, however, we do also welcome women from
outside these boroughs.
If you wish to book for maternity care with us, please refer
yourself today by using the link below.
Please note that the Maternity Voices Partnership will be
relaunched shortly, and we will provide details when they have been
confirmed.