Concerns for expectant parents as partners unable to attend some antenatal appointments

Currently, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board allows women to be accompanied to antenatal scans and appointments by their partner or nominated person when "safe requirements of infection prevention and control" can be satisfied.

A Llangollen husband and wife have implored the health board to change this policy after experiencing it for themselves.

The couple, who do not wish to be named, found out they were expecting earlier this year and attended Wrexham Maelor Hospital for an early pregnancy scan after the expectant mum suffered a bleed.

She had to attend the appointment alone.

In a letter to the health board, seen by the Leader, the husband said: "This was very traumatic for both of us, as I’m sure you can imagine the prospect of dealing with a miscarriage alone, at the request of the hospital, is inhumane.

"Fortunately, [my wife] was told that everything was OK and was invited back for a follow up scan a fortnight later.

"At this scan, which she again had to attend alone, she was given the exciting news that we were expecting twins.

"I will never be able to share this moment of joy with my wife. Your current policies are denying expectant parents these moments."

Prior to the dating scan, his wife contacted the head of Women’s Services and was informed that partners were permitted to attend the dating scans, anomaly scans and to attend appointments at the Fetal Medicine Unit.

However, they said they found out this was not exactly true.

Upon arrival at the Maelor’s X-Ray department, the man was told that he had to return to the main corridor and wait to be called in by a member of staff for the final moments of the scan.

"I got to see my babies for less than two minutes," he explains in the letter, "standing in the corner at the back of the room, being made to feel like an inconvenience.

"At our 16 week scan at the Fetal Medicine Unit, I was again made to wait on the main corridor while my wife waited in the main waiting area.

"When she was called through, I was allowed to sit outside the scanning room, again only being invited in for the final moments of the scan."

Unfortunately, during this scan it was suspected that the couple's twins were suffering from Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR).

They were referred to Liverpool Women’s Hospital for further scans, where the husband was allowed to accompany his wife throughout the entire appointment.

Of this he wrote: "This made a huge positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing as neither of us were having to do this alone and we were able to support each other throughout.

"This is how it should be not being denied each others support at such a crucial time in our lives.

"Following the scan in Liverpool, we were referred to King’s College Hospital in London for laser ablation treatment the day after.

"Again, I was able to accompany my wife throughout the entire day, including during the procedure itself.

"This meant that I was there to support her throughout, hold her hand and comfort her – I was so grateful and relieved that she was not going through it alone."

At a follow up scan earlier this month in Liverpool, the couple received the tragic news that one of their twins had passed away.

"We were together when we found out, which allowed us to begin grieving together and comfort each other – this is how it should be," he said.

"Had our scan been in Wrexham, my wife would have been given this devastating news alone.

"No woman should ever have to go through this, especially as a result of a health board’s policy.

"The remainder of my wife’s pregnancy is still high risk.

"My fear is that if something were to happen, I would not be able to support my wife during the moments when she needs me the most.

"Please do not deny couples this.

"How can we meet friends and family in a restaurant or pub yet be withheld the most magical, albeit emotional experience that a pregnancy can bring?

"Women need support during these times, not unnecessary anxiety and challenges.

"NHS Trusts and other health boards successfully manage the risk, so I ask, why can’t Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?"

Debra Hickman, acting executive director of nursing and midwifery at the health board, said: “Our policy on allowing partners to be present for antenatal scans and appointments is based on guidance from the Welsh Government, which is being kept under regular review.

"Our first priority in implementing this guidance is the safety of our patients, service users and visitors in the prevention and control of infection in our healthcare settings.

“Where we are able to satisfy the safe requirements of infection prevention and control, we are allowing women to be accompanied by their partner or nominated person to certain antenatal scans and appointments, as detailed on our website.

“We recognise that these restrictions can be upsetting and disappointing for pregnant women and their partners and we would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to strike a sensible balance between safe infection prevention and ensuring women can receive support from their partner at these important appointments.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are working with health boards to review the guidelines.

"We will be publishing new advice in the next few weeks.

"The safety and wellbeing of mothers and babies, as well as the staff who support them, continues to be at the heart of the maternity visiting guidance.

"A partner can be present when a woman is in active labour and at specified antenatal appointments.

“Health boards are taking individual circumstances into account to enable a partner or a nominated person to be present when a woman is using maternity services if she has mental health needs, a learning disability, autism or a cognitive impairment or needs extra support to process information.”