Hospitals now allow 2 delivery room companions
Last Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 | 12:51 PM ET
CBC News
Anu Asikainen is flanked by her doula, Jo Muise, and husband Guillermo Lopez (holding their daughter Onni). Asikainen wants both of them to be at her side when she gives birth. (Corinne Smith/CBC)Expectant mothers in Montreal will be allowed to have two people with them in delivery rooms, after an H1N1 flu hospital policy was eased this week.
Some Montreal hospitals had introduced a one-attendant per delivery room policy for women giving birth because of concerns about spreading swine flu.
The policy angered many pregnant women who expected to have more than one person at their side to deliver — most often their husband or partner and a doula or birth companion.
Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc was surprised when he was told earlier this week about the strict hospital policy — but by Wednesday the Montreal health agency had issued a new directive opening delivery rooms to more than one companion.
"The birthing companion chosen by the birthing mother is also invited to the delivery room" as is any other professional, including midwives and acupuncturists, said Louise Massicotte, deputy director general at the agency, in a written statement issue Wednesday.
But the agency wants to avoid situations where more than two people accompany a woman in the delivery room, the statement said.
The change in policy will be a relief for women nearing their due date, said Jo Muise, a Montreal doula.
"I think people’s anxiety level is going to drop a bit, knowing that there are solutions and that public health and the minister have listened," said Muise, who also co-ordinates services for a Montreal-based community group, Alternative Naissance.
The Royal Victoria Hospital and Ste. Justine Hospital both confirmed that they have adjusted their maternity ward policies — but added that all visits will still be monitored given the risks posed by the H1N1 virus to pregnant women and unprotected newborns.
