Demonstration to ask for the end of the Covid-19 restriction that prevents couples of women from attending deliveries

A rally has been held in front of the Coombe Maternity Hospital to protest against a Covid-19 restriction that prevents women’s partners from being in wards during full labor and after delivery.

The rally was organized by the national campaign organization Uplift, and was attended by at least two prominent politicians, SocDems TD Holly Cairns and Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu.

The group wants the HSE and hospitals to recognize that pregnancy and delivery can be a challenging and emotional experience, and that the continued exclusion of support partners is creating significant distress.

Last week, the HSE confirmed that couples would be allowed to attend a 20-22 week pregnancy scan. Activists say this is not enough.

Linda Kelly, who had her second baby during the Covid-19 pandemic, said:

“Women and pregnant women have to endure the intense and terrifying experience of childbirth without the emotional and physical support of someone close to them.

Parents and couples then have to leave the hospital one hour after the baby is born, regardless of the emotional or physical needs of the new mother, who is then left alone for days without any family support.

“Anyone who has been through this experience knows how emotional and overwhelming the first few days can be, and the importance of having the support of your partner.”

Physiotherapist Caroline Cumming, pregnant with her third child, said: “The restrictions that prohibit parents and partners from accompanying women until full delivery and prohibit postpartum visits are extremely cruel.”

In response to a question from TheJournal.ie On whether action will be taken on calls for restrictions to be lifted, the HSE said:

“Visits, including visits to couples, in maternity hospitals have been significantly restricted since the beginning of this year due to Covid-19, for the protection of women and babies, and our staff.

Reintroducing access to partners of pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging and our priority must be the safety of women, their babies, and maternity staff.

“However, the HSE is well aware of the distress that some of these restrictions may have caused women and their partners.”

She said the clinical directors of the 19 maternity units have been reviewing the need for restrictions.

He also said that as part of that review, the HSE reclassified couples as an ‘essential companion’ of a pregnant woman for fetal anatomy or abnormality scanning, which is generally offered 20 to 22 weeks, starting next week. .

This is due to the low rate of Covid-19 infection in hospitals and maternity units, he said.

We have had, like all other countries, Covid outbreaks in healthcare settings during the course of the pandemic. If a case of Covid-19 linked to a maternity unit is identified, the HSE Public Health teams will carry out a public health risk assessment. Recommended actions may include re-implementation of additional restrictions. The answers and recommendations for each maternity unit may differ, depending on the facilities and circumstances.

“We appreciate the patience shown by families as we work through these difficult months, providing high-quality maternal and child care and keeping our patients and services safe from Covid-19.”