AN expectant mum has called for Warrington Hospital to allow more people to attend the birth of her and other pregnant mums’ babies.

At present, due to the current coronavirus situation in the town, new mothers cannot have a partner with them until they are well into established labour.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also only allows one birthing partner to attend the birth with the mother.

This is leading to mums making an ‘impossible choice’ between having their own mother with them at the birth or their babies’ fathers.

One soon-to-be mum told the Warrington Guardian: “Covid has really hit maternity services hard, and the woman of our town have had and still are attending appointments on their own.

“They cannot have a partner until they are well into established labour, which for first time mums can mean a very long and lonely wait with lots of fear and no support.

“The trust is also only allowing one birthing partner, with no changes or even swapping of partners through the labour process.

The Nest - Warrington Hospitals new £1.2 million state-of-the-art midwifery-led unit for expectant mums

The Nest - Warrington Hospital's new £1.2 million state-of-the-art midwifery-led unit for expectant mums

“For some younger mums this can be a difficult choice between the support of their mum and the baby’s dad, which is often a very impossible choice.

“Many hospital trusts across the UK have already relaxed these rules and allow two birthing partners, but even with the opening up of the country, the trust has not announced any planned changes their rules as of yet.

“Why should the Covid birth rules be a postcode lottery?”

In response to the concerns, Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, Warrington Hospital’s chief nurse and director of infection, prevention and control, says a cautious approach must be taken when Covid infection is so high in the town.

“We will continue to do our utmost to ensure the safety of women, babies and families at this time, and allow a partner to attend appointments where we can safely do so and support one partner to attend during labour and birth,” she said.

“Our approach is influenced by the current rates of Covid-19 infection in our communities and the national directive to ensure that social distancing, hand hygiene and face coverings or masks remain in place in hospitals and other healthcare settings to protect the most vulnerable from July 19 onwards.

“We are of course very mindful of the needs of pregnant women and those in labour, and we regularly review our arrangements against the position in our local boroughs and the national guidance.”