![NHS guidance has been updated to enable partners to attend antenatal appointments and be present at their child's birth](/media/fjyfpjcb/newborn-with-parents.jpeg?width=1002&height=668&bgcolor=White&v=1da6119777bce10)
Under the new NHS guidelines, all health trusts in England have been requested to review their current policies after pregnant women in some locations have had to attend scans and appointments on their own during the pandemic – with some not being able to have their birth partner with them through all stages of labour.
The support person, who does not need to be the co-parent, should be regarded as ‘an integral part of both the woman and baby's care’ - not just a visitor.
All trusts should now make it easy for this to happen, while keeping the risk of coronavirus transmission within NHS maternity services as low as possible.
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