"The decision to limit partners involvement"

Query over the decision to limit partners involvement in antenatal care at Wishaw General.

I completely understand that the hospital have the make difficult decisions during this time and staff are working extremely hard during what will probably be their most challenging experience of their career to date.

However, recently there was an announcement that partners would only be allowed to 12 and 20 week appointments, only in active labour (not allowed in during induction or before 5cm dilated), have to leave after birth and then given a reduced time slot for visiting the labour ward (this one I understand as it’s a ward). However, partners are not allowed to attend triage or growth scans etc - which I believe is when mums need the most support from the person who has equal rights to the child as the mum does. It’s the 21st century why is the women the person considered to deal with the child responsibilities? It’s denying fathers/partners/other mothers the right to be involved. They will be wearing a mask and are at as much risk of Covid transmission as the mother. I wrote to the government as I understand your hands are tied if this decision has been based on factual evidence or government legislation and they replied today.

The reply said that in all five protection levels, a birth partner supporting a woman during hospital visits remains ‘essential’ and allows for a woman to be accompanied throughout her time in maternity settings. This includes accompanying to certain appointments (booking appointment, 20 week scan and any emergency appointments), induction, labour and birth including C-sections (except where general anaesthetic is required) and visits to the postnatal ward after delivery. As stated in the guidance Boards may however have implemented time restrictions for visits to postnatal wards to ensure physical distancing subject to local risk assessment. The reply said they were sure that I  would appreciate that, this is to ensure the safety of patients, babies and staff.

Again, I understand the postnatal requirement but from the above cannot understand the decision Wishaw have taken in the other areas based on the government guidance. There is no restrictions over how dilated a mother needs to be to allow their partner to attend the labour or that they can’t be there during induction and any emergency appointments. I think it’s sad that we are denying birth partners this right, and mothers the right to support when all they’ve had during pregnancy is their birth partner for support. Pregnancy has been so lonely and cuts made across the board. Which I do understand. However, the birth of your child should not be denied without reasonable cause. 

I myself have had a couple of scares with the baby not moving and had my husband not been with me I would have crippled with the worry and not having the person who has as much right as myself to be there.

Accompanying birth partners are placed more than 2M away often other side of the room with face mask on. The woman during labour is allowed to not wear a mask. Therefore, I don’t understand why birthday partners cannot be present wearing a mask and taking precautions as the woman is at as much exposure as the birthing partner. It feels a bit backwards in terms of rights - the father has all the same rights as the mother, it’s his child too, it feels like a backwards step in this view that kids = women’s job. It just doesn’t seem fair. I am extremely worried that I will not have the support to help care for the baby if for example I am struggling after birth.