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Taoiseach commits to examining hospital rules keeping partners of pregnant women out of maternity wards

Partners cannot attend scans and can only join pregnant women for the late stages of labour.

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said that there should be a nationwide policy on the advice for allowing partners into maternity hospitals during pregnancy and labour. 

The issue was raised by Holly Cairns TD and Mattie McGrath TD, with the former saying that some women are “going into labour alone” and that different hospitals have different policies. 

Currently, pregnant women have to attend their scans alone at many hospitals and can only have their partners with them in the late stages of labour and during the birth.

Visiting by partners is allowed in some hospitals for short periods of time in the days after the birth, but others are not allowing any visits

Social Democrats deputy Cairns said that there needs to be clarity about how these decisions are made. 

“After an exchange with the Minister of State and the HSE management for the Cork-Kerry region, I’m even more unsure about how the decisions are being made,” she told the Dáil.

The minister said it’s based on an individual hospital, the HSE said it’s based on the region they’re in. So I’m wondering which is it?  The Programme for Government commits to excellence in maternal healthcare, but at present women in some areas are going to labour alone. It’s a geographical lottery and we’ve no idea why. 

McGrath said that pregnancy is “supposed to be a joyous occasion” but that at present “the partners or the husbands are not allowed in the vast majority of cases”.  

“We’ve heard of some harrowing cases where unfortunately issues occur with pregnancy, down to a stillbirth and the loss of a baby. It’s traumatic, hugely traumatic for the mothers concerned, and to be on their own, not a partner, or mother or sister or anybody being with them,” he said. 

In response, the Taoiseach said there needed to be a common approach across all Irish hospitals.  

“First of all, I fully empathise with what the deputies are saying. Obviously public health advice has been the key influencer of this situation, along with risk management in specific hospitals and locations. But I do take the point that public health advice in these areas should be nationwide,” he said. 

The Taoiseach added he would engage with the chief medical officer and the HSE on the matter: 

I would instinctively think it should be nationwide but it may be in different hospitals you have different settings and you have different risks. Some maternity centres may have different practices and so on, but I will engage with the chief medical officer on this. And with the Health Service Executive on this.

“It’s very difficult for people, it’s very traumatic,” the Taoiseach added. 

Last week, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said he recognised the importance of those moments for parents but in order to facilitate a lifting of restrictions, the spread of the virus has to be controlled.

“NPHET doesn’t have a formal position on every element and we don’t have a formal position in relation to that. I think though pragmatism needs to play a part in decision making and guidance around that,” he said.

- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy

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43 Comments
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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:35 PM

    So you can go to a pub with loads of people but men and women can’t join their partners who are giving birth? Have read some devestating stories over the past couple of weeks of women who were alone when their baby died, or who had complications and were terrified.

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    Mute Bunny Johnson
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:41 PM

    @Sam Harms: Me too, this is Nuts. Missus going mad over it, was there for all of my kids, can’t imagine how awful it would be to be on your own. FFS.

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:46 PM

    @Sam Harms: that are allowed join for the active birth, but they are completely banned thereafter. And mothers who need ops for miscarriages or inducing when babies have died are nit allowed have any support. Barbaric.

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    Mute Clair Rooney Dolan
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:50 PM

    @Sam Harms: Are we surprised that women’s health is down the list of priorities? I’m certainly not. The fact that pubs can reopen nationwide (bar Dublin for now..), that schools are open, religious ceremonies and masses being able to take place, sporting events etc. the list goes on, and we can’t have our partner into the hospitals is nuts. I appreciate needing to minimise the risk of Covid19, particularly in a maternity hospital however if my partner has Covid and we live in the same house, I’m quite likely to get it too. Both of us could have it without knowing..so by keeping the partners out, I don’t see how it’s actually minimising the risk at all. As someone who is expecting for the first time, it is awful having to go to these appointments alone with my husband sitting outside hoping it’s good news each time. I can’t imagine receiving bad news on my own and am dreading labouring alone! I really hope this changes asap.

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:52 PM

    @Clair Rooney Dolan: congratulations! I work by Holles St and see loads of men waiting outside every day for their new baby to come out, while around the corner people sit together in offices and cafes and restaurants, it’s so sad and makes no sense!

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    Mute Rosa Lopez
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    Sep 16th 2020, 4:34 PM

    @Sam Harms: pregnant women are suppose to be in the vulnerable group, specially those with other conditions as diabetes and asthma. You don’t want to invite the virus into hospitals and with cases rising if dads are allowed in they are doubling the chances.
    For the tragic cases some have mentioned I understand exceptions should be made, but not for normal pregnancies.

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    Mute Denise Kinsella
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    Sep 16th 2020, 4:55 PM

    @Rosa Lopez: how are they doubling chances with two people from the same household – dont be ridiculous. Two people from the same household provide much less risk or transmission than all the tens of staff members floating around the hospital. Pregnant women are vulnerable and as such need the support of their partner- end of.
    Oh and btw – nobody can guarantee a “normal pregnancy” and nobody knows if or when something is going to change.

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    Mute Fiona Mooney
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:29 PM

    @Rosa Lopez: I was told by my midwife yesterday that we are no more susceptible to covid than anyone else and not considered vulnerable.

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:57 PM

    @Rosa Lopez: if the dad has it then the mum most likely has it too. They can easily wear PPE like the hospital staff do.

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    Mute Rosa Lopez
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    Sep 16th 2020, 8:09 PM

    @Sam Harms: that’s 2 people inside a hospital with covid, one of them need to be there the other doesn’t.

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    Mute Rosa Lopez
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    Sep 16th 2020, 8:30 PM

    @Fiona Mooney: maybe not at risk, but according to hse high temperature can bring complications and mothers in the at risk group for other conditions need to be protected as much as possible.

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    Mute Rosa Lopez
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    Sep 16th 2020, 8:47 PM

    @Denise Kinsella: staff members need to be there, partners don’t. Parents can be called in if something tragic happens.
    People in nursing homes and dying alone in hospitals are vulnerable and need the support but they can’t have it. I’m sure pregnat women will survive their 2/3 days in hospital without their partners- end of.
    Don’t appreciate the name calling, you sounds like having an adult tantrum.

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    Mute Denise Kinsella
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    Sep 17th 2020, 9:08 AM

    @Rosa Lopez: whereas you sound like someone who delights in the thoughts of punishing women and forcing them to endure severe mental pressure. Well done on being such a gem.
    If you knew anything (which you clearly don’t) youd be well aware that people arent permitted a partner in – no matter how tragic things are. The fact you think this is acceptable is baffling and quite disgusting really. I dont really care what you appreciate. I dont care about what you think. Your ridiculous opinion is irrelevant when theres women such as myself going in every single day facing horrendous news and doing it all alone. I’ll continue having tantrums if it means that’s what it takes to get these archaic rules changed, and to battle people such as yourself that want to force women to suffer.

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    Mute Munsterman
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:16 PM

    My wife gave birth recently for the first time and had a horrific experience. She was in for 3 nights on her own without me being able to visit her. She hadn’t a wink of sleep and most of the time struggled to do the absolute basics of being able to eat food, pour a glass of water, shower etc. The nurses were nowhere to be seen once she left the labour ward (not their fault of the short staff situation) but it was detrimental to her mental health and well being. I understand why the restrictions are in place but something like this is too important to not have the fathers around. It’s essential. I’d have no problem wearing the full PPE equipment if it meant going in.

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    Mute Clair Rooney Dolan
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:38 PM

    @Munsterman: Your poor wife, and you. Very sorry to hear she had an awful time of it. Hopefully she’s feeling a bit better now? The mat hospitals do have postpartum supports available for all patients past and present so if she hasn’t already contacted them please let her know she’s not alone and there is help there.

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    Mute Munsterman
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:49 PM

    @Clair Rooney Dolan: she’s doing great now thankfully. We’ve availed of those supports which have been excellent, but it was so damaging to her to be in the hospital on her own, particularly when it’s her first and it’s already terrifying as it is! She had a catheter and stitches so it wasn’t easy for her to leave the bed, let alone care for a newborn.

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    Mute Gareth Keenan
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:46 PM

    No reason why partners can’t wear PPE gear similar as other hospital staff working around the mother.

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:12 PM

    Infinitely more important than pubs opening

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:44 PM

    It was absolutely ridiculous that they have not been allowed in.. there is no excuse.. the maternity hospitals have unilaterally made this decision, and it has been cruel. The poor women on the joe Duffy show in the most distressful situations and they have been denied any kindness by the hospitals. The hospices have been able to gown people to allow them in. Fathers matter too. But basic humanity has been completely absent in these maternity hospitals. So sad for all the mothers and fathers who have lost babies.

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    Mute Monster Munch
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:16 PM

    What is there to examine? Should be a given, get them tested and let them in. Whatever about births, which is very important obviously. It’s actually more important for the tragedies that occur in these situations, women shouldn’t be on their own to deal with those situations.

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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    Sep 16th 2020, 4:31 PM

    My wife and I had our 1st baby in May. It was terrible to leave her and our new baby after 90 minutes of life and not see them again for 3 whole days. (of course it was harder on my wife)

    However it was 100% the right thing. These measures are not there to protect mams and dad’s, but the staff.
    These babies are coming and it is not possible for the nurses to socially isolate at work, nor is it possible to get trained staff in at short notice. So what happens if there is a covid outbreak at a maternity ward?? The babies are going to come anyway, how bad will it be if there is no staff to assist what have to be the most vulnerable (for a time) in our country.

    Let’s be mature enough not to look at what we are missing, but what we are protecting…

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    Mute Denise Kinsella
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:02 PM

    @Kevin McDonnell: I’m sure that’s easy to say when you actually got to bring home a baby

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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:33 PM

    @Denise Kinsella: I spoke to nurses on this topic at the time.
    In very bad circumstances, a partner is allowed with the mother. So it is not true to say the mother will be alone in those circumstances

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    Mute Siobhán Morrissey
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:37 PM

    @Kevin McDonnell: As someone who experienced a very bad circumstance as you describe, I was alone. My husband could merely drop me at the hospital door and not see me again for 4 days. So that is incorrect information.

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    Mute Fiona Mooney
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:38 PM

    @Kevin McDonnell: what huge increased risk is there when the birthing partner is from the same household and in full PPE? The hospitals are understaffed as it is and women are being left alone in pain its just not right.

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    Mute Denise Kinsella
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:55 PM

    @Kevin McDonnell: no they are not. Nobody can ever tell you when and if things are going to go wrong. Please dont be so obtuse.
    As you can see, women absolutely are left alone. I myself was made attend a scan alone having a history of repeat miscarriages and high risk pregnancies. I went through it all ALONE because they wont let partners in – an action that is aided and abetted by people such as yourself that support such barbaric treatment towards women. It will only change when we all stand against such disgusting treatment and i for one will continue to fight against them.

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    Mute LD
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    Sep 16th 2020, 2:47 PM

    This doesnt make sense.

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Sep 16th 2020, 4:16 PM

    Should things like this not have been in the plan for living with covid?

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    Mute Tracy Donegan
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    Sep 16th 2020, 4:45 PM

    The UK has recently adopted a more reasoned approach so partners can stay throughout labour. I was contacted by a Dad attending one Dublin hospital this week who just tested negative for Covid. So he is not a risk to staff or other people. He was happy to wear PPE too but this hospital has a policy that you can’t join your partner during an induction until active labour – that could be several distressing hours for the mother and if any big decisions needed to be made she has no support…he couldn’t get a reply. Time the Government stepped in

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    Mute John Hoare
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:14 PM

    People should be protesting against these restrictions

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    Mute Mary Griffin
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    Sep 16th 2020, 5:27 PM

    We need to stop just calling them partners. Most birthing partners are fathers are parents. Surely they should have some visiting rights even if slightly restricted so it can be done safely.
    My maternity hospital has stopped running antenatal classes. I can’t understand how they couldn’t record and put out a webinar nationally. There are vulnerable people out there thst really need these classes for baby safety.
    Again.. Not a priority…

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    Mute Lorraine Mac Rory
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    Sep 16th 2020, 7:14 PM

    @Mary Griffin: plenty of women bring sisters or mothers or friends with them to scans or during childbirth. Dad isn’t always available/ willing/ welcome. This is why they are referring to partners. If the dad is the birth partner then it is of course a double tragedy if he isn’t allowed to see his new baby

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    Mute Mary Griffin
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    Sep 16th 2020, 11:13 PM

    @Lorraine Mac Rory: I know that of course. Making the point that fathers (who are parents) are being denied too. Some horror stories out there about how they are being treated too

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    Mute Allison Smith
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    Sep 16th 2020, 3:52 PM

    And yet when you are rushed into a normal hospital as I was , I completely understood I was going through everything on my own. When I was kept overnight I was allowed no visiting. Stressful time for everyone, not just maternity.

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    Mute me
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    Sep 16th 2020, 7:57 PM

    @Allison Smith: oh FFS let’s all change the subject and talk about me!!!! Your situation is and was not the same.

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    Mute Aine Ni Granatain
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    Sep 16th 2020, 7:47 PM

    Even ridiculous things like can’t FaceTime , video or photograph a scan for partners – how will FaceTiming someone during a scan increase or decrease the risk of Covid.

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    Mute Edmond Mc Grath
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    Sep 16th 2020, 6:54 PM

    Ridiculous rules with regard to parents not being allowed attend appointments scans and labour. Another point is all pre-natal classes are cancelled. If prospective parents wish to do the classes they have to pay privately. I’m not one of these covid deniers but I think it’s being used by a lot of hospitals and clinics to cut services.

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    Mute ismiijill
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    Sep 16th 2020, 7:38 PM

    @Edmond Mc Grath: The Rotunda are delivering ante natal classes online. I’m due to give birth there in a couple of months and I understand the need for restrictions; however they do seem to be allowing more than other maternity hospitals. I for one wouldn’t be happy if my newborn contracted the virus while in the hospital. The NICU is in very close proximity to the general day wards and the hospital itself is quite cramped in places so, while I agree that many partners are from the same household and would have the same exposure as mothers, social distancing is very difficult to manage within the hospital.

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    Mute Sam Glynn
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    Sep 16th 2020, 9:31 PM

    @Edmond Mc Grath: you can join the classes through HSE website… They’re online and book out quickly. You can do it over 3 days or 1 full day.

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    Mute Shala
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    Sep 17th 2020, 8:33 AM

    As someone who had my first child earlier this year, I am still not the better of the trauma I felt going through an induced labour without my husband there until the final stage. It has had a lasting impact on me, so much so that I would be reluctant to have any more children due to the fear of potentially going through a birth alone again.

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    Mute Clair Rooney Dolan
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    Sep 17th 2020, 9:20 AM

    @Shala: that’s awful Shala, I’m sorry to hear. I’m expecting and am very nervous about going in alone…

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    Mute Shala
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    Sep 17th 2020, 12:24 PM

    @Clair Rooney Dolan: congratulations Clair! I really hope that the powers that be look at making a change. I have no idea why 100 people can go to a wedding, or smalls groups can sit around restaurants, but the father of a child can’t be there for the entire birth process.
    I hope for you that you have a lovely experience, things have come on since I had my girly at the beginning of lockdown. Enjoy your new bundle.

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    Mute Gary Doyle
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    Sep 16th 2020, 7:33 PM

    We are 4 weeks out and hoping this will change soon. I felt stonewall useless when my wife gave birth the first time but I was there the whole time for support. This time I’m looking at a lengthy wait in the car while my wife goes through 90 % of it alone.

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