Hospitals and Triage Procedures… What to Expect.

I don’t know why hospitals have instituted this triage policy but I hope that it’s not something that will stay in the post pandemic world although I have heard that it didn’t really start with Covid it only intensified. When I have checked in with my clients at the last few births the hospital security has informed that only the laboring women can go into the triage with the birthing person they are admitted. The birthing person enters an unfamiliar hospital often in pain and scared and is separated from her support system. This is very traumatic for many moms and completely unnecessary. 

Situation 1 - they did not admit this client until she was in active pushing because she was not checked and was waiting in triage. I was only allowed in (her sole support person) when they called her provider… 

Situation 2: This woman was transferred from a birth center and immediately at arrival we (Dad and I) are told to wait outside for them to admit her. Midwife called in advance and notified the hospital and we received permission to go with her. However we had to wait until she was “admitted” and then somehow she was told she had to wait until she received an epidural to have us join… 

Removing the advocates for these women at the door is the worst and most traumatic form of medical care. Why?! I wish that hospitals would see this from the lens of the patient and recognize the fear and lack of care this provides. Allow support people into triage!!