Changes to maternity service visits
Birth partners can now be present for early labour and assessment
PORTSMOUTH’S hospital has made some changes to visitor restrictions in the maternity ward.
Expectant mothers being seen at sites run by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, including Queen Alexandra Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital, will now be able to have nominated birth partners present for early labour and labour assessment.
The changes come after a mother raised concerns about visiting restrictions not being changed despite lockdown restrictions easing.
The mother from Portsmouth, who is 35 weeks pregnant and wishes to remain anonymous, told The News: ‘It is ridiculous that my husband and I can sit in the Costa Coffee together in the hospital but he can’t come with me to all my scans.
‘We can’t get this time back and it is upsetting that he like many other partners can’t come along to the scans. The restrictions before meant your partner could only come in once you were 4cm dilated so there was the risk they would miss the birth.
‘When I spoke to QA about it they were very responsive, kind and understanding.’
Restrictions on attending growth scans alone remain but one partner can now attend nuchal (11-14 week) and anomaly (20 week) scans.
A spokeswoman for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: ‘We have been considering how we can safely ease maternity visitor restrictions that were introduced earlier in the year to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
‘We understand this has been a frustrating time for many of our patients and thank you for your understanding.
‘We are delighted to be in a position where following changes to the national infection prevention guidance, we have been able to permit nominated birth partners to attend the maternity unit with their partner for early labour and labour assessment, as well as delivery.
‘From Tuesday we will also be able to accommodate one partner in the room during prenatal scans.
‘The accompanying partner must wear a face covering or mask in order to follow infection control advice.
‘If you have any concerns about visiting, please contact the maternity unit before attending.’
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