16 Dec Birthing partner news
After new rules drawn up by the NHS, mums-to-be in England are now allowed to have one person with them throughout their pregnancy, during labour, birth and their immediate postnatal period as long as their support partner is not showing any symptoms of coronavirus.
Wendy Powell was the founder of the #ByMySide campaign to raise awareness of the role of a birthing partner and the risks of pregnant women not having access to a crucial support pillar during pregnancy. The campaign, for which the background has been covered here and here, draws attention to the importance of a birthing partner as a advocate for the mother’s choices throughout the entire period as well as the heightened feelings of anxiety and isolation for those facing maternity appointments and labour alone.
In April, with her antenatal and postpartum support platform MUTU System, Wendy partnered with a regional NHS Trust (Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital) to provide 110 maternity patients with key close by digital support in the absence of face to face postpartum appointments.