Flu scare restricts companions in delivery rooms
'One visitor' rule at Montreal hospitals
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 | 11:23 AM ET
CBC News
Anu Asikainen, centre, is flanked by her husband, Guillermo Lopez, holding their daughter Onni, and Jo Muise, her doula. (Corinne Smith/CBC)In the latest effort to keep the swine flu virus out of hospitals, expectant mothers in Montreal are being told they must choose between having their baby's father and their birthing coach in the delivery room.
Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc says he sees no reason why pregnant women in labour can't have more than one companion in the delivery room, as long as that person has been vaccinated.
But several Montreal hospitals – including Ste-Justine, St-Luc and the MUHC's Royal Victoria Hospital – have brought in temporary "one visitor" policies in their maternity ward delivery rooms. The intent is to guard against the spread of the H1N1 influenza A virus that causes swine flu, but the policy is forcing women to make a choice that doula Jo Muise says is not fair.
"I don't think these are appropriate decisions for women to be making when they're already in a vulnerable situation," said Muise, who runs Alternative Naissance, a Montreal community group that provides prenatal support and doula services.
"Women are being forced to choose who is going to be the most important person, the most supporting person to be with her during her birth."
Anu Asikianen is pregnant with her second child and wants both Muise and her husband at her side when she gives birth in early January.
Some Montreal hospitals are restricting access to delivery rooms to limit swine flu. (Istockphoto)She says Muise's doula support will be essential during her labour.
"For me, it's having someone who actually knows you and isn't as emotionally involved as your husband," she told CBC. "It's also having someone who has already given birth [at your side].
"The [hospital] staff is doing their job, but you've never seen them before; they've never seen you. So, it's important to have someone there to help you get through it."
Asikianen says if she's made to choose between her husband her doula she doesn't know what she'll do but has considered giving birth at home if she is not allowed to have both of them with her in the hospital delivery room.
Muise said she and other doulas were vaccinated against swine flu weeks ago, with the understanding that hospitals would require it.
"I decided to get vaccinated to protect my clients but also to make sure I would be able to keep working and keep working with the clients I had promised I would be there for," she said.
None of the hospitals would grant CBC Montreal an interview on their H1N1 delivery room policies. But St-Luc Hospital recommends that concerned women speak to the head nurse on duty.
Bolduc said Tuesday he hadn't heard of the maternity ward policy but would look into why some hospitals have imposed a "one visitor" rule.
"If they are vaccinated, and they are protected, I think there is no reason they should be refused," he said.
