Within this information, we may use the terms "woman" and "women". However, we recognise that not only people who identify as women may want to access this content. Your care should be personalised, inclusive and sensitive to your needs, whatever your gender identity.
COVID-19 guidance
Please do not attend the hospital if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Please follow these measures to help keep virus transmission low:
- Wear masks at all times in the ward and clinic areas
- Use hand washing/sanitising facilities in the building and on the ward
- Follow personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance, as instructed by staff
General guidance for visitors to maternity
This guidance is subject to change as COVID-19 restrictions are tightened or relaxed.
Please note that the designated birth partner referred to in the following guidance must be the same person for each visit.
Heartlands Hospital antenatal clinic
Please be aware that the antenatal clinic at Heartlands Hospital is located in the Heartlands Treatment Centre (HTC).
Directions
- Enter via the main entrance of Heartlands Hospital
- Go up to the first level past Marks & Spencer on the right and Pharmacy on the left
- Go through the double doors, then through another set of doors on your right, which leads into Heartlands Treatment Centre
- Carry on through two more sets of doors and take a left to Area A, which has purple chairs in the waiting area
Antenatal Clinic and Maternity Triage Assessment Unit
One partner can attend all appointments.
Ultrasound scans
One partner can attend all scan appointments. However, we regret that children may not accompany expectant mothers to these appointments.
Delivery Suite and midwifery-led units
Two birth partners are welcome to attend when the woman is admitted in labour.
Following birth, partners can accompany women to the ward to see them settle. After this, one partner is welcome to visit between 11:00 and 20:00.
Please note that children are not permitted to visit these units.
Induction of labour
Women are asked to attend the hospital at the appointed time in the morning for the induction of labour process to begin, with one designated birth partner who may remain with you until 20:00 if labour has not commenced.
Antenatal inpatient and postnatal ward visiting
One designated birth partner is able to attend between 11:00 and 20:00.
Two additional named adult visitors are welcome to pre-book a visit at one of our timed sessions. The patient will be asked to provide the two visitor names in advance. These visits will be booked and registered by the ward clerk.
| Session one | 14:00 – 16:00 |
|---|---|
| Session two | 18:00 – 20:00 |
If you are attending for one of these booked sessions, please report to security in maternity reception.
Brothers and sisters of the new baby are welcome to visit between 14:00 and 16:00, and between 18:00 and 20:00. Children visiting their new siblings on the postnatal ward must be booked in in advance.
They should:
- remain at the bed space
- be supervised by a responsible adult
- not be left alone with the patient
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep our women and babies safe.
Last reviewed: 16 August 2023