Birthrights has today released a statement calling for NHS England and the Royal Colleges to protect the rights of women giving birth during coronavirus.
We applaud the dedication of maternity professionals across the UK. Despite the challenges faced by maternity services we must remain united in the belief that every woman needs safe, respectful and compassionate care during pregnancy and birth.
What about women in Scotland?
https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/ This guidance applies to Scotland too, as does the Human Rights Act 1998
What about Wales?
The guidance also applies in Wales, as does the Human Rights Act 1998.
Yes what about women in Scotland? My local hospital has banned partners being present at surgical deliveries and on post natal ward.
The RCOG/RCM guidance (https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/) also applies in Scotland. This states that “Women should be permitted and encouraged to have a birth partner present with them in their labour and during birth. Having a trusted birth partner present throughout labour is known to make a significant difference to the safety and well-being of women in childbirth. A single, asymptomatic
birth partner should be permitted to stay with the woman, at a minimum, through pregnancy and birth, unless the birth occurs under general anaesthetic. Additional restrictions, such as limiting the number of birth partners to one, restricting any visitors to antenatal or postnatal wards, and preventing swapping
and postnatal visitors, should follow hospital policy.”