The new rules mean that expectant mums can now have one person in during their labour, birth and immediate postnatal period.
Current Covid-19 guidelines have been revised so that women can have a partner by their side during maternity appointments, labour and after birth.
Support partners have been recognised as ‘an integral part of both the woman and baby’s care throughout and not as a visitor’. The support partner must not be showing any symptoms of Covid-19.
This comes after previous restrictions forced mums to attend scans and midwife appointments alone.
The new restrictions were published on Monday in a document called ‘Supporting pregnant women using maternity services during the coronavirus pandemic: Actions for NHS providers’.
Health chiefs have been asked to undertake a risk assessment in each part of their maternity service to looks for the areas where there is increased risk of transmitting coronavirus. They are then asked to tackle any issues with ‘appropriate infection prevention and control measures’ including training and PPE.
Before they attend their 12 and 20-week scans and any other maternity-related appointments, pregnant mums and support partners should be tested for the virus.
The new document states: “Pregnant women value the support from a partner, relative, friend or other person through pregnancy and childbirth as it facilitates emotional wellbeing and is a key component of safe and personalised maternity care.
“It is, therefore, our aim, further to a risk assessment, that a woman should have access to support from a person of her choosing at all stages of her maternity journey and that all trusts should facilitate this as quickly as possible.
“At the same time, it is our priority to prevent and control COVID-19 infection and keep women and staff safe. Many trusts have already found creative solutions to overcome remaining challenges and they have maximised the support that pregnant women can receive throughout their pregnancy. It is important now that all trusts do this.”
The organisation promoting human rights in pregnancy and childbirth, Birthright has welcomed the changes.
They tweeted: “We applaud the dedication of maternity professionals across the UK who are working tirelessly to deliver the best possible care in a fast-moving situation.
“Despite the challenges the NHS now faces we all remain united in the belief that every woman needs safe, respectful and compassionate care during pregnancy and birth.”
