90% of pregnant women say that restrictions which prevent their partner attending scans and labour are having a negative impact on their mental health

Press Release Monday 16th November 2020: Pregnant Then Screwed is today releasing figures from a new study of 15,233 mums and pregnant women which explores the impact of the pandemic on pregnant women and new mums. The survey found that a shocking 17.4% of women in labour have felt forced to have a vaginal examination in labour, which is in breach of their human rights. 82% of these women said that the reason they felt forced to have the vaginal examination was so that the midwife could determine if they were in established labour, thereby allowing her partner to attend the birth.

 

Maria Booker, Programmes Director at BirthRight, explains, “Women always have the right to decline a vaginal examination but it may not feel like that to a pregnant woman entering a maternity unit on her own to be assessed. If an individual feels coerced into this very intimate examination in order to be reunited with their partner, consent may not be valid and the healthcare practitioner may be legally liable for battery.”

 

The restrictions in place on maternity wards are having a detrimental effect on pregnant women. 82% said that their local hospital has restrictions in place (for labour or scans) and 90% of these women have said that these restrictions are having a negative impact on their mental health. A significant 94% of pregnant women have said they are stressed some or most of the time. 

 

Joeli Brealey, CEO and Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed comments, ‘These figures demonstrate the pressure placed on pregnant women during this pandemic. They have spent their pregnancy scared for their safety, with medical studies showing that women in the later stages of pregnancy are more likely to become severely unwell if infected with Covid-19 and 57% of pregnant women saying they feel unsafe at work. On top of this they are being forced to attend scans and to endure early labour on their own, thereby increasing their anxiety and stress levels. Stress has been shown to have a negative impact on the health of a mother and her growing baby. The reality is these women are struggling, their mental health is in tatters, they are not okay.’

 

The survey found that 77% of pregnant women say their hospital has restrictions in place which would prevent their partner attending the duration of labour. Of these, 97% say these restrictions have increased their anxiety around childbirth. 

 

Joeli Brearley, CEO and Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed continues, ‘We have heard from far too many women who have given birth alone. They are desperately seeking support for the trauma that they have experienced. We appreciate that it is important to ensure staff and other patients are safe, but research has shown that where other precautions are in place there is little evidence that partners increase the infection risk to staff or other service users. Labour involves life or death decisions, it involves being able to advocate for your wishes at a time where you have no voice, but instead these women’s partners are sitting in their cars, or pacing the street outside, completely powerless to help.’

 

Following childbirth, 37% of those on maternity leave now say that their mental health is poor. 56% don’t think that their baby has had the health checks they need, and 36% say that their care since giving birth has been poor, with only 18% saying their care has been good. 66% say they do not feel they have had the support they need from health professionals since giving birth. 

 

Pregnant Then Screwed and BirthRights have issued a letter to Simon Stevens, Chief Exec of the NHS, signed by MPs, medical professionals, charities and campaigners, to ask that he considers these mental health impacts on women and intervenes to ensure that parents-to-be can have the birth they deserve during the pandemic.

 

-ENDS-

 

For further press information or case studies from Pregnant Then Screwed please contact: Lauren@pregnantthenscrewed.com 

 

Notes to Editor: 

About Pregnant Then Screwed (www.pregnantthenscrewed.com). Pregnant Then Screwed is a charity that seeks to protect, support and promote the rights of pregnant women and mothers. We carry out extensive research into the effects of systemic cultural and institutional discrimination during pregnancy and motherhood, as it relates specifically to employment. Our support services include a free employment rights helpline, a free legal advice service, and an employment tribunal mentoring service, as well as in-person and online events.

 

About the research: 

The research was conducted in November 2020, and was completed by 15,233 pregnant women and new mothers. 5131 were pregnant. 

The data was collected via Typeform from 28th October – 3rd November 2020

 

The key findings: 

85% of pregnant women say their hospital has some restrictions in place – either for scans or early labour

90% say that these restrictions are having a negative impact on their mental health

94% of pregnant women have said they are stressed some or most of the time (with 39% saying they are stressed most of the time) 

77% of pregnant women say their hospital has restrictions in place which would prevent their partner attending the duration of labour 

97% say these restrictions have increased their anxiety around childbirth 

66% of women currently on maternity leave say that their hospital only allowed their partner to attend when they were in established labour 

17.4% say that during their labour they felt forced to have a vaginal examination 

when asked whether this was so that the midwife could determine whether they were in ‘established labour’ 82% said yes 

89% of those on maternity leave say that when they were pregnant they felt stressed some or most of the time 

37% of those on maternity leave now say that their mental health is poor 

56% don’t think that their baby has had the health checks they need 

36% say that their care since giving birth has been poor, with only 18% saying their care has been good