Please rethink these maternity rules

MANY people heading to the pub this weekend might feel like we’re back to some sort of normal. But for thousands of new and expectant mothers across Wales, unjustifiable restrictions remain in place.

I’m writing on behalf of five first-time mothers I know who are having, or have had, ‘lockdown babies’. These are friends, family and colleagues, and all are experiencing unnecessary stress and anxiety at a time when they should be positively focusing on the birth of their children.

Your readers probably don’t know that the temporary policies and restrictions in maternity care in Wales are currently as follows;

- Your birth partner can only attend 12 and 20 week scans (not growth scans.)

- Your birth partner is unable to join you at any point before you are in established labour, meaning that women are having to go in for an induction or experience early labour on their own. This is the case even if your birth partner is from the same household.

- Birth partners cannot visit on antenatal or postnatal wards.

- Women who have given birth and must stay in hospital (potentially due to complications or the health of their baby) are doing so without the support of their birth partners. There are examples of fathers not seeing their newborn for up to a week because of the restrictions on visitors.

The physical, mental and emotional effects of these restrictions are incredibly far reaching and will have a profound impact on the mental health of women across the country. Several studies have already proven just that.

It has been devastating to witness the fear and uncertainty of my sister, my best friend and my workmates, during what should be one of the most magical times of their lives.

Fortunately, their pregnancies to date have been healthy. However, there are undoubtedly many women who have not been so lucky. Some will have received tragic news alone, and others will have suffered painful and frightening complications without the support of their partner.

These are not acceptable experiences for any woman.

How is it that I can go to the pub, get my hair cut, and go on holiday, but my pregnant friends cannot be supported by the father of their child during such a life-changing experience? The mental health and human rights of women are being disregarded in a way that is disproportionate to limiting the spread of the virus.

I hope for the sake of new mothers everywhere that the Welsh Government rapidly reassesses the restrictions in maternity services.