Was your maternity care affected during Covid?

Maternity care a 'postcode lottery' in London - BBC News

In a report written by Jess Warren for BBC News it was reported that care during the pandemic across NHS trust maternity wards varied so much so that it felt like a ‘postcode lottery’ what type of care you would receive. The impact of this in new parents and those that have lost babies must be considerable.  

Joeli Brearley, CEO and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed Home - Pregnant Then Screwed, said: "The restrictions on maternity wards in the pandemic were inhumane,

"Women were birthing alone, losing babies alone, finding out heart-breaking scan results alone, and giving birth with masks on — losing their voice whilst in their most vulnerable state — with no-one there to advocate for them.

"Even at the point at which people were able to go to the pub or attend events at Wembley Stadium, partners were banned from maternity wards." (Brearley, 2023)

Speaking from my own experience of having children and having spoken to other new mums and dads, the birth stories vary greatly from couple to couple, but most birthing experiences will impact in some way our mental health. Impacting our relationships with our partners and children. Having support around us, and feeling free of any judgement I believe is so important not only whilst giving birth but in post natal care.

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