For many mums, it can be a source of comfort and support to have their partners with them after giving birth in hospital.
But are dads or partners allowed to sleep over at maternity wards if the mothers want them to stay overnight?
We asked all the North East NHS trusts about their rules and what parents were permitted to do.
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Some hospitals allow partners to stay overnight while others don't. The Covid pandemic has also had an impact on visiting rules.
Here we have rounded up what hospitals in our region have said.
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
A spokesperson for the Trust, which runs the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, said: "Accommodating partners overnight is very much dependent on the appropriateness of the environment to support this.
"Unfortunately, due to the small number of single rooms available at the RVI, it is not always possible to accommodate partners overnight in the postnatal inpatient areas.
"Partners are welcome to stay in the delivery suite until such a time that transfer is made to the postnatal wards, and in the birth centre where single room accommodation is available.
"Throughout the Covid pandemic there have been necessary restrictions to ensure the spread of infection has been kept to a minimum. National guidance has been closely followed and has supported the presence of partners in all areas of the service. Visiting restrictions are regularly reviewed and are reduced wherever possible.”
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
The trust runs the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Anne Holt, associate director of nursing for family health at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Partners are not able to sleep over after mums have given birth at our hospitals and this was not something that we were able to offer prior to Covid-19. Visiting restrictions at our hospitals are currently still in place.
"We do have some exceptions to these restrictions and specifically for our maternity services: women having antenatal scans are able to be accompanied by their chosen support person, women in labour are able to have one birthing partner and a daily postnatal visit by a chosen support person. Additionally, one parent or carer is able to accompany children in our emergency departments, children's wards and neonatal units.
"We continue to monitor and consider this position to look at the possible, safe reintroduction of visiting and how this would be managed."
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
The trust, which runs Sunderland Royal and South Tyneside District Hospital, says: "One birthing partner continues to be allowed to support mums-to-be during assessment, induction of labour, labour and delivery. Please ensure that birthing partners come prepared with snacks and refreshments while they are in the delivery suite or midwifery-led birthing centre as they will be encouraged to remain on the department and not to leave.
"We continue to support mums and mums-to-be to have one partner/support person with them for the duration of their stay on the ward. Mums and mums-to-be are asked to let staff know who the partner/support person will be."
More information is available here.
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
The trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, says all cases are individually assessed and staff will aim to facilitate stays if on-suite rooms are available. However, the number of on-suite rooms is limited.
Lesley Heelbeck, head of midwifery, said: "Here at Gateshead, our top priority is the care our mothers receive, and we will do our best to accommodate each family.
"However, due to limited single rooms on our postnatal ward, we assess and review on an individual basis to align with the mother’s needs.
"We are also mindful that we are still in the Covid pandemic and require a negative lateral flow test prior to any discussions to keep our staff and mothers safe."
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
The trust, which runs the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, says birthing partners can stay with mums from their admission to discharge, with facilities and beds on the ward.
More information is available for parents here.
