Government Under Pressure To Lift Restrictions on Maternity Units

Over 25,000 people have signed an online petition to have them lifted.

The government is coming under pressure to lift the Covid-19 restrictions in maternity hospitals.

Partners can only be present when the woman is in the final stages of labour at hospitals around the country.

The rules vary between each hospital.

Partners are permitted in Mullingar Regional Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe when the woman enters active labour.

In the case of caesarean sections, partners are allowed to attend for the delivery.

Women and partners are also facilitated to stay in the labour ward for a period postnatally as a family.

Portlaoise Regional Hospital says partners of patients in the maternity unit are permitted.

Over 25,000 people have signed a petition to have the restrictions lifted.

Broadcaster and expectant mother Suzanne Kane says many women are attending hospital alone for heartbreaking reasons:

Katie McEntee is due to give birth in a few weeks says her husband doesn't feel a part of the pregnancy due to Covid-19 restrictions in maternity hospitals.

She doesn't believe the rules are fair:

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