With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic taking a toll on the entire world, many countries are issuing some strict restrictions for people to adhere to in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
Many hospitals and nursing homes have started to ban visitors completely.
Doctors, nurses, and patients with compromised immune systems would be much safer without visitors in their facilities who can spread germs.
However, there are some hospitals that are issuing bans that are pretty controversial.
In New York City where the pandemic is spreading and growing on a daily basis, NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals, a network of 13 hospitals, are now issuing bans when it comes to labor and delivery rooms.
According to the network, birthing partners are banned from delivery rooms.
This means that expecting mothers will be forced to deliver their children alone, without their partners with them by their sides.
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The hospital network issued a statement about their choice.
“At this time, no visitors including birthing partners and support persons are permitted for obstetric patients,” they said.
The reasoning behind this ban was sound.
“We understand that this will be difficult for our patients and their loved ones, but we believe that this is a necessary step to promote the safety of our new mothers and children,” they said.
However, many online were not happy to hear about this ban.
Despite the ever-growing number of those infected with coronavirus in New York, the hospital wanted to put the safety of their patients and their newborn babies first.
Expecting mothers, however, were outraged.
A Change.org petition is trying to have NewYork-Presbyterian reconsider its ban on birthing partners and has gained around 70,800 signatures.
Many mothers worry that it will take a toll on their mental health.
As delivering a baby is anxiety-inducing enough, many moms are worried that not having their partners there will bring on more stress.
Several other New York hospital networks have made exceptions.
Mount Sinai Hospitals and NYC Health + Hospitals allow obstetrics patients to have a healthy visitor to see them, which can include their partners.
As of now, it seems that the ban is not being lifted.
As the numbers have been increasing daily, the hospital network has not changed their decision.
For new mothers, this leaves them with a serious problem.
Many are unhappy with the choice and are hoping the hospital will change their mind about the ban—as childbirth is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for parents.
