PREGNANT women have pleaded for clarity after hospitals “deny access” to birth partners until they reach active labour.

As previously reported, women who gave birth over the Christmas and New Year period were left “blindsided” after discovering at the last minute their birth partners would not be able to be by their side until they had reached 5cm dilation.

This left some women, including first-time mums and those experiencing complications, alone for days as they awaited that crucial active labour stage.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) insisted earlier this month that all decisions made were to mitigate any spread of coronavirus and its website continues to state one birth partner is able to remain with the patient throughout the entire labour or induction process unless a general anaesthetic is required.

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However, dozens of women have since come forward to claim a number of NHSGGC hospitals – including the city’s flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Princess Royal Maternity and Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, are insistent it is “policy” to deny access to partners until women reach the 5cm mark.

The Glasgow Times carried out its own investigation and was informed by midwives that current restrictions meant it was “hospital policy” not to allow a single birth partner into the maternity ward until women are classed as active labour.

The health board has said one nominated birth partner is allowed in throughout the entire process and insists it will work with staff to ensure this is accommodated.

One mum said: “I phoned [the Princess Royal Maternity] and they said partners are allowed in for active labour ... I’m hoping to stay at home as long as I can because I don’t want my husband being sent away if I’m too early.”

Each health board has control over its own policy regarding its efforts to tackle the pandemic, however, Scottish Government guidance states at least one birth partner should be able to accompany a pregnant woman throughout the entire labour process.

A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: “Our dedicated and hard-working staff are operating strict infection control procedures to help slow the spread of Covid-19 and prioritise the safety of patients and their families at all times.

"Any decision taken to limit birthing partners would have been with the wellbeing of all patients in mind. We would like to encourage anyone who feels their experience conflicted with information they had previously been given to speak with us, we would be more than happy to answer any questions they may have.

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“From January 5, the difficult decision was made to move to essential visiting only across NHSGGC sites, to help slow the transmission of the Omicron variant and keep us all safe, this remains in place. A flexible visiting approach has been adopted, and within ante-natal and post-natal visiting continues with only a nominated birthing partner allowed at this time.

“Nominated birthing partners are allowed at all times, not just during active labour.

“The flexibility in delivering this can sometimes be challenging in the open ward areas where social distancing rules must be adhered to. In such circumstance it may be necessary to timetable attendance.

“We understand that support from birthing partners has a positive impact on a woman’s experience and we are sorry to hear that some patients have been unhappy with their experience.

"We will work with staff to reinforce and emphasise the details of this approach, to minimise this happening again in the future. We would strongly advise anyone who can attend hospitals as an essential visitor or as a birthing partner only to do so following a negative lateral flow test and to not attend should they have tested positive for Covid-19 or if they are displaying symptoms.”