Mask-wearing during labor to prevent infection stirs debate

Ever hear of testing people to see if they actually HAVE the virus prior to delivery? Oh and the staff too?

I suppose they are going to put a mask on the new born as well right? (sarcasm)

Ridiculous and distressing policy. What will they think of next?

What Yubaru said

Ridiculous.

not a woman but I can tell you that whether its a surgical or cloth mask, it impairs breathing, even when just walking at a fast pace. I can't even imagine how difficult it is to breathe when in labor. I wonder if the CV-19 does mutate some more, we would probably be required to wear PPEs or hazmat suits when leaving the house and look like we live in a post-apocalyptic world.

not a woman but I can tell you that whether its a surgical or cloth mask, it impairs breathing, even when just walking at a fast pace. I can't even imagine how difficult it is to breathe when in labor.

exactly!

I wonder if the CV-19 does mutate some more, we would probably be required to wear PPEs or hazmat suits when leaving the house and look like we live in a post-apocalyptic world

Its possible

From the beginning of this pandemic, I have been a strong proponent of wearing a mask in public. That said, there are instances when mask wearing is not productive, and the occasion of birthing labor may be one of them. If there is a suspicion of a probability of Covid-19 transmission, then put the mother in a bubble, and ensure that the support staff are as protected as is possible. Mothers giving birth and Olympic athletes should not be required to wear masks, IMO.

Pregnant & expecting mothers are a business,

and it's time they started exercising their right to choose.

A private licensed midwife at home, means comfort and no stringent rules,

using a hospital only as a back-up, for emergencies...

Why can't the customer, have the power to say "no thanks"?

It is your life, your labor, and your baby-

Say no to being treated as a germ.

HOLY MOLY!!! Who makes these rules! Obviously not anyone who’s given birth recently, especially in japan where natural, no pain killing birth is the norm.

I gave birth 18 months ago, and unlike what most moms say, oh! I DID NOT forget the pain.

I think I would have died if I wore a mask.

If they are worried about false negatives, test 3 times. Heck, test 30 times. Anyone would be happier with that than with wearing a mask during LABOUR!!!

What’s next? Marathon runners and gymnasts wearing masks at the Olympics?

Everything the Japanese does is ridiculous to some people, and they live here in Japan because they love complaining about and criticizing them.

Very distressing for the woman. An awful policy.

Everything the Japanese does is ridiculous to some people, and they live here in Japan because they love complaining about and criticizing them.

You are saying "Everything a Japanese does" is it really the case ?. well you have

to understand some people are not used to and good at giving Backhanded compliment.

(Home Goroshi ). Is there some Japanese rule or universal rule that says a foreigner cannot be

critical of the host country. ? Some people take nationalism too seriously and forget the first and

foremost fact we are all citizens of this planet called earth. If we were attacked by an extraterrestrial

beings we would be fighting against it together without giving thinking that our nationalism is different.

Is there some Japanese rule or universal rule that says a foreigner cannot be

critical of the host country. ?

Why would you even ask that lol

Everything a Japanese does" is it really the case ?. 

Hyperbole aside, yes =)

Why would you even ask that lol

That's what you said ? was just inquiring cause I don't know of one.

Enough of this mask-wearing performance insanity and shaming! Please, just stop.

Medical staff when they sign for the job kno they will be facing harmful virus and bacteria.

So except if there is evidence of symptoms from a woman in labor, this is so out of rational scientific touch.

No reason is a reason in Japan often.

I feel sorry for expecting mother and the country's demography enduring even more ludicrous rules.

That's what you said ? was just inquiring cause I don't know of one

Supposing there is one, so what?

And what are those bits about nationalism and aliens? Heat getting to you?

I wouldn't listen to anything they tell you. So-called experts have been telling pregnant woman to stay skinny and guess what the result is? Average height even smaller than it was before.

Totally Stupid for the woman giving birth to be forced to wear a facemask.... Child Birth is beyond Endurance athletism... so if the WHO recommend not to wear a face mask for hard-workouts, then why ... should a woman giving birth be forced to wear one...

Ensure Good ventilation, and everyone else wear one. Common Sense... Just like having Doctors / Nurses coming and going should wash hands between visits to birthing rooms and elsewhere.

It is possible some women may prefer wearing a mask.

Go into the room and take the mask off. The baby will come when it comes. If staff refuses to help with the birth, it's on them, not the mother or the baby.