Minister urged to let partners attend maternity appointments
Councillor Michael Sheehan has pleaded with the Minister for Health to allow pregnant women to be accompanied by partners or loved ones during consultations and appointments.
In a motion that was due to be tabled at last week’s cancelled County Council meeting, the Fianna Fáil councillor said: ‘While understanding the need for a rigid defence against Covid-19, there is a growing acceptance of the impact the restrictions have had on maternity services and in particular people’s mental health.
‘While accepting there is a need to rebalance Covid-19/Public Health Safety measures with expectant families accessing Health Services; this council calls on the Government, the HSE and NPHET to review and amend the maternity service regulations to permit women accessing maternity medical services or appointments be accompanied by a family member or for their consultation/service.’
Cllr Sheehan was moved to table this motion having received correspondence from several women who have given birth or used maternity services during the pandemic.
One of the emails he received states: ‘Women are facing so much by themselves and their loved ones are waiting in car parks or at home to hear the news – good or bad.
‘Some women are getting horrific news by themselves, they don’t have anyone to hold their hand or comfort them. Not only that but partners are not getting the information directly from doctors or medical practitioners.
Unfortunately, I have had a miscarriage and know the pain these women are experiencing. My partner was there holding my hand all the way.
‘He heard what the doctor was saying as I was in too much shock to even hear. I don’t know how these women are expected to phone or go to the car and explain what is happening to their partners.
‘I beg you, use your voice to help these women. This pandemic is not going to end any time soon. These women need your help.’
Cllr Sheehan has also contacted Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, regarding this issue and received a response from his office on Friday last.
‘With regard to the presence of husbands or partners to maternity appointments, labour wards and delivery theatres, it is of course desirable that the impact of Covid-19 on the pregnancy and birthing experience of women and their families is kept to an absolute minimum,’ the statement reads.
‘In that regard the National Women & Infants Health Programme has provided assurance that the midwifery and obstetric community are acutely aware of the important support provided by partners or companions and that they wish to facilitate this as far as possible.’
However, the reply also states that ‘it is not always possible for services to have advanced knowledge as to which women will be receiving distressing and upsetting news’, before going to say that ‘as and when these situations arise or are known or suspected in advance, maternity services have adapted their visiting restrictions in these situations to ensure that women have the on-site support of their partner.
‘All units have been requested to prioritise the allocation of resources to ensure that the support required by women in these circumstances is available when bad news can be anticipated.’
Highlighting the challenges faced by each of the country’s 19 maternity units during the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister’s office states that the Department of Health follows advice issued by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists when restricting access of partners to maternity appointments, labour wards and delivery theatres.
‘Decisions on any restrictions in hospitals are therefore made, implemented and reviewed at hospital level and, while any restrictions are very regrettable, are necessary to protect the safety of patients, the wellbeing of staff and the operability of our maternity services,’ the statement reads.
The statement also notes that the National Women & Infants Health Programme has developed a guidance document on restrictions in maternity hospitals/units and this has recently been issued to all maternity services.
‘ The paper seeks to ensure a consistent national approach to visitor restrictions, as far as is practicable and having due regard to local circumstances.
‘Each maternity service/network has been requested to review visiting arrangements on a weekly basis, in the context of the issues and factors identified in the paper,’ the statement concludes.