Pregnant women’s ‘care being put at risk’

A MUM-to-be has claimed “br uta l” coron av i r us restrictions are jeopa rd isi ng preg na nt w o m e n ’s s a fe t y a n d wellbeing.

NHS Tayside is restricting maternity services to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

This includes mums having to attend appointments and scans on their own, no visitors on maternity wards and all births in the region taking place at Ninewells Hospital.

Debbie Grewar, who is seven weeks pregnant, says she feels her rights as a mother have been taken away, and it is “a form of torture” to prevent expectant dads attending appointments and scans.

She said: “I went to early pregnancy this week to see the midwife and no partners are allowed in, so my partner is in limbo waiting for me at home, not knowing what is going on.

“These are very strict, stringent and brutal measures that are very stressful and my care is being jeopardised.

“I understand staff are under immense pressure, but pregnant women are getting a raw deal.

“When I was at my appointment, there were two anxious dads waiting in the corridor to be met by a midwife telling them they shouldn’t be there, but they have as much rights as mums. It is their baby too and they are missing out on so much. It is almost a form of torture.”

Debbie says she worries she and other pregnant women in Tayside will not get the same care and support as normal because of coronavirus restrictions.

She added: “Mothers’ rights are being taken away from them. If I was further on in my pregnancy and decided I wanted a home birth, I would not be allowed. If it wasn’t for Covid-19 I would be able to have one if I wanted.”

Claire Pearce, NHS Tayside’s director of nursing and midwifery, said the measures have been put in place to help keep women and their babies safe and to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

She added: “This temporary change to maternity services is being reviewed on a regular basis and when we are able to return to normal we will contact women to let them know.”

Ninewells Hospital