Maternity care during a pandemic = confusion and inequality. That’s what midwife Lesley Gilchrist believes and why #butnotmaternity is demanding the government relax hospital restrictions

You’ve probably read the heartbreaking stories. The posts from parents revealing their shocking experiences online tagged as #butnotmaternity on Twitter and Instagram. Lockdown restrictions may have eased elsewhere but birth partners are still not allowed to attend scans, or be with their partner until the woman is a certain amount of centimetres dilated in labour.

After giving birth, partners are not even allowed to visit, aside from restricted hours. Given that pubs, shops and restaurants are open, this situation doesn’t seem to make any sense. 

Why #butnotmaternity matters

Making the government take notice is the #butnotmaternity campaign, orchestrated by numerous maternity advocates. And behind it is a relentless and co-ordinated effort. Maternity advocates such as Birth Rights, midwives, doctors, sonographers, doulas and other birth workers are campaigning tirelessly, along with #butnotmaternity, to change the situation caused by Covid-19 guidelines. 

Forced to give birth alone

Stories of partners missing the birth of their babies are not uncommon. Or stories of women who miscarry or go through traumatic births alone. And if you think that’s sad and shocking, what about women forced to hear devastating, and unexpected, news alone at their scans. This is why the success of  #butnotmaternity campaign is vitally important for pregnant mothers and their birth partners.

At the time the restrictions were imposed, these measures were seen as necessary. Healthcare workers and patients need to be protected. Right? Yes. But now we know more about coronavirus. So, in June, the government did lift restrictions but the guidance, according to campaigners, is neither clear nor direct.

Help the hospitals

Some hospitals efficiently and safely lifted restrictions. But many hospitals could not – citing issues with logistics. There are many NHS hospitals where social distancing can not be safely accommodated without costly remodifications.

Basically, it’s now a postcode lottery for pregnant women with regards to their birthing experiences. And, as campaigners point out, that’s a pretty intolerable state of affairs. 

One campaigner, Lesley Gilchrist, a registered midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife explains why relaxing the restrictions is vital. And why protecting women’s mental health and women’s rights is central to the #butnotmaternity campaign.

‘Currently, women and their families are suffering. I’m seeing their mental health affected and partners struggling to bond with their babies. The herculean effort made, over many years, by those advocates for women’s rights cannot be allowed to back slide. 

Decades ago partners rarely attended appointments and even fewer attended the birth. Women had little say in their care and passively accepted that midwives and doctors’ knew best. Thankfully, we now encourage women to empower themselves with information and education on pregnancy and birth.

Women need control 

Birth partners, such as doulas, offer emotional support to women and their partners during labour. Women are conditioned to rely on that support during labour. It’s all part of the big plan; having control over your pregnancy and birth through having choices in your care. 

Lesley Gilchrist, midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife, is passionate about the #butnotmaternity campaign

But in March 2020 everything changed. Now women are labouring alone on antenatal wards until their birth partners are finally allowed in. Women are attending scan appointments alone. And for some, they’re giving birth alone. My Expert Midwife’s social media feed is inundated with examples of these harrowing stories.

Restrictions must end 

To make things easier during lockdown, we were advising women to use FaceTime to record their scans and share them with partners afterwards. But many birth professionals, including midwives, doctors and sonographers, were told their hospital’s legal department couldn’t approve these devices. Apparently, government guidance on their use is unclear. 

The government needs to take action now to help those hospitals that cannot lift restrictions to do so. They also need to give clear, concise and unambiguous guidance on the use of FaceTime and recording devices. Our frustration and helplessness at this situation is palpable.’ 

How to support #butnotmaternity campaign

A Change.org petition started by Holly Avis, Partners allowed for entirety of labour/birth in ALL hospitals, has had almost 330,000 signatures at the time of publishing this story.  You can sign it here.

If you want to influence how your maternity care is delivered to you, get involved with your local MVP (Maternity Voices Partnership). You can find your local MVP here.

Write to your MP. You may find these BirthBliss guidelines useful.

You can also feedback your experience of maternity care to your hospital via PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Services), their HoM (Head of Midwifery) or directly to your hospital’s Chief Executive.

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