Male partners/husbands in the labour ward?

My (American) friend is giving birth in hospital and she said her husband is not allowed to be there for the birth as men cannot be in the labour ward.  She also said she has to stay three days for a vaginal birth, in a room with two other new mums and their babies, separated by curtains on either side.

True?  I thought I've seen men at births on the tv, but maybe I'm confusing with US birth shows.

Say what?  The UK is very laid back about partners in the labour room.  I've never heard of this, ever.  And most hospitals turf you out after 6-12 HOURS.  You do have to share a ward though.  Which can be hell if everyone else is a first time mum and you aren't.   

i've never heard of that.  i was in labour for 24 hours and my husband was the entire time.  i also had my own room, which i did not pay extra for.  i wound up staying in hospital a week b/c of an assisted delivery and subsequent complications. 

Hmmm...I'll have to ask her about that.  Interesting!  I did read some time ago about campaigns to allow men into the labour wards, now I've lost those articles with my last laptop.

Good to hear that men are allowed from your experiences!

The women I know who have given birth have all hired private consultants, maybe that makes a difference in the number of total support persons allowed into the labour ward?

Dunno.  I gave birth in an NHS hospital.  B/c the birthing rooms are all pretty small, they only allow 2 friends or family members in the room with the mother whilst she gives birth, but I've not heard of a hospital which would not allow the baby's father to be w/its mum during the birth.  There were two women on the unit who'd had to have c-sections and even then they were allowed a family member in theatre w/them - for one lady it was her mum b/c she was a lone parent and the other had her partner, the baby's father, in w/her. 

You're joking?? My husband was allowed on the ward and in the birthing room.  I haven't heard of any hospitals not letting the father in.  I do remember as a child not being allowed onto the maternity ward after my aunt had given birth to her baby because they had a "no children" rule - but that was 30 years ago.

I think each hospital sets its own policy regarding the length of stay post birth, at my hospital it was up to 24 hours for a normal delivery.  I was in a room with 3 other mums and babies, separated by curtains as you describe. You could pay for a private room (if they had any available) - I think it was £60 a night for that.

My husband was only allowed in the ward during visiting hours, which were only about 2-3 hours in the afternoon - I hated that.  Was definitely allowed in the labour room though, maybe you are confusing the 2?