My husband Matt and I found out we were pregnant New Years Eve 2020. Since then, we have been working hard to get everything sorted for the arrival of our daughter, but one cloud looms overhead, COVID19.
The current guidelines, in Wales, state that partners can only be present during "active labour. " Also, if there are any complications and the woman needs to stay in, the partner can only visit for 2 hours at a time.
For me personally, this is a terrifying concept, being a first time mum and going through 90% of labour alone.
Also, I have been told that the baby and I need to stay in for 24 hours for monitoring, meaning that my partner would only get to see his newborn daughter for 2 hours during the first couple of days of her life.
All this, after seeing 60,000 fans gather in Wembley stadium for the final of the Euros. Where is the logic there?
Surely, the risk of developing or transmitting Covid19 would be the same if my partner (who is fully vaccinated) was there for the whole time or the two hours permitted.
That is what this petition is here for. To raise awareness. To make a change. And not just for myself but for all us mums out there who are terrified of going through this alone.
Let's make a difference. Let's make a stand. Help me achieve change.