Allow all pregnant women a birth partner from the start of hospital admission.

There needs to be consistency in the rules across all hospitals on this issue. Currently some women are being left to labour alone. The stage of labour does not determine the support needed from a birth partner.

The mental health of all pregnant woman and their partners depends upon this ruling.

Decisions about visitors are a matter for the NHS, not the Government or House of Commons.

With regard to antenatal appointments, scans, and the birth itself, on 5 June, the NHS’s suspension of hospital visiting was lifted. This means that visiting is now subject to local discretion by trusts and other NHS bodies. You should check with your maternity team and sonography unit for their policy on visitors attending antenatal appointments, including scans.