Rally against maternity restrictions to take place outside Coombe Hospital tomorrow

Many are unhappy with the restrictions.

A rally will take place tomorrow at the Coombe Maternity Hospital 5pm to protest the continued exclusion of partners from full labour and post delivery wards. Organised by national campaigning organisation Uplift the event will call on HSE and hospital management to recognise that pregnancy and childbirth is a very challenging and emotional experience for many people and that the continued exclusion of support partners is creating significant long term mental health damage. The rally has been organised following last weeks directive by the HSE to allow partners attend the 20 week scan. This was welcomed by the campaigners but doesn't go far enough. Speaking about the restrictions, Linda Kelly, who had her second baby during the Covid 19 pandemic said;

" Women and pregnant people are having to endure the very intense and scary experience of labour without the emotional and physical support of someone close to them. Fathers and partners are then made to leave the hospital an hour after the birth of the baby, regardless of the emotional or physical needs of the new mother who is then left on her own for days without any family support. Anyone who has been through this experience knows how emotional and overwhelming the first few days can be, and the importance of having the support of your partner."

Physiotherapist Caroline Cumming, pregnant with her third child called the restrictions cruel;

"the restrictions prohibiting fathers and partners from accompanying women to the full labour and banning them from post delivery visits is extremely cruel."

The rally will take place at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin tomorrow at 5pm. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu, will be among the speakers at the rally which also includes Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats, Labour spokesperson and Siobhan O’Donoghue Uplift Director.