Box Hill Hospital, Angliss Hospital maternity wards allow showers amid coronavirus restrictions
The choice of using the shower or bath to relieve pain during labour might no longer be an option in maternity wards with the State Government saying it could spread COVID.
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The use of water during labour has been temporarily halted as the State Government tightens maternity wards to keep healthcare workers safe.
But mums and water immersion advocates have hit back at the advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, saying having a shower or bath during labour lessens the risk of contracting the deadly virus.
Mums planning on giving birth in Melbourne’s east can rest assured showers are still allowed at both their maternity wards at Angliss and Box Hill hospitals.
More than 5000 people have signed a petition against the advice by Safer Care Victoria against allowing women in labour to have showers or baths in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
A document on the Department of Health and Human Services website, recommends tightening maternity ward rules in-line with restrictions to protect essential workers from infection.
“Water immersion for labour and birth — during this period of increased community transmission of coronavirus, services are advised to suspend the use of water immersion for labour and birth for all women,” the document said.
“The protection of our maternity and neonatal health care workforce is essential,” the document said.
“PPE is not effective when wet and consequently, the use of water immersion during this period presents an unacceptable risk.”
But the Australian College of Midwives has denounced the advice saying: “Anyone who has either laboured, or watched their partner labour, can tell you that sitting in a warm bath or standing under a hot shower is one of the most effective non-pharmacological methods of pain relief available.”
Australian College of Midwives midwifery Adviser Dr Megan Cooper said there was evidence to support the benefits that warm water provides.
“The decision to deny women access to the shower is one of the worst I have seen,” she said.
“ACM supports recommendations that have been implemented to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19, but this new recommendation is nonsensical.
“We are now denying women an effective option of pain relief and the opportunity to achieve a normal, physiological birth that is a positive and satisfying experience, for no evidence-based reason.”
Dandenong Ranges doula and maternity nanny Melissa Dowden, who started the petition, said water was an amazing natural pain relief.
Ms Dowden said she believed gas had already been taken away as a form of pain relief during coronavirus restrictions.
“The DHHS now recommends epidurals,” she said.
“So if you want a natural labour your choices are very limited.”
She said while there was nothing wrong with wanting an epidural, with any intervention there was risk of caesarean.
But an Eastern Health spokeswoman said at both the Angliss and Box Hill hospitals women were allowed to use the bath or shower during labour, without having to wear PPE unless they tested positive to coronavirus.
“They would then be required to wear a supplied mask,” the spokeswoman said.
She said the maternity team at both the Angliss and Box Hill hospitals were committed to maintaining a smooth and safe birthing experience for expectant couples.
“Eastern Health acknowledges this is an incredibly challenging time for pregnant women and expectant couples,” she said.
She said the medical and clinical leaders determine the policies in conjunction with the DHHS guidelines.
“Like all covid-related policies, our maternity department is constantly being reviewed and we would advise expectant mothers to call ahead of their visit to learn the most up to date information,” she said.
A department spokesman said because of the heightened coronavirus transmission risk, the use of water during labour, the temporary guidance for all maternity providers and midwives advises against water immersion during labour.
“Under normal circumstances, we absolutely support the use of water during labour, and even recently consulted on new statewide clinical guidance around its expanded use,” the spokesman said.
“PPE is not effective when wet and consequently, safely caring for women in a bath during this period presents an unacceptable risk to our healthcare workers.”
He said while this may be distressing for women, there is a need to protect healthcare workers who are the last line of defence.
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