Pregnant woman says visiting guidance ‘unfair’

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said it feels like her husband’s ‘rights have been taken away’ during her pregnancy.

On June 30, the Health Minister Robin Swann announced that hospital visiting guidelines could be relaxed and birth partners will be facilitated to accompany women to pregnancy dating scans, anomaly scans, early pregnancy clinic and fetal medicine appointments.

However, in the Western Trust the birth partner or a nominated person will only be able to accompany the pregnant woman to the fetal anomaly scan, which usually takes place at around 20 weeks.

The local woman said her husband has been ‘missing out on so much during this pregnancy and he had been really looking forward to coming to my next scan following the announcement by the Health Minister. We had planned to make a whole day of it’.

“We got a call the day before the scan to inform me that I had to attend alone and we were so disappointed. I do understand that it may be hard to social distance, but surely some arrangement could be made to accommodate partners,” she said.

“My husband is in contact with all the same people as me and I don’t think there is any more risk than me attending on my own, especially with all the other precautions the hospital has in place.”

The woman added it is particularly unfair when inpatients are allowed to have visitors.

“This hasn’t been a straight forward pregnancy for me and it just feels like my husband’s rights and our choices have been taken away.”

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “The new maternity guidance for the Western Trust states a birth partner/nominated person will be facilitated to accompany the pregnant woman to fetal anomaly scan. Women must attend all other appointments including dating scans on their own, this includes Early Pregnancy appointments.”

The spokesperson added that this is a ‘temporary measure’.

“In order to ensure the safety and well-being of expectant mothers and their baby during this time and to facilitate safe social distancing measures, we are unable to accommodate birthing partner/nominated person at all other appointments or scans.

“The Trust is working hard to overcome these challenges and hope to be in a position to review the guidance as soon as possible.”

“The Trust recognises that the current guidance causes concern to expectant mothers and their families, and will make attempts to adjust this guidance as soon as it is safe to do so. There will be some exceptional circumstances which you should discuss directly with your Consultant/ Midwife.

“Birthing partners are allowed to remain during active labour and birth and will be permitted to visit for one hour in the ante-natal and post-natal wards.”