NHS Lanarkshire is further restricting neonatal visiting and suspending home births to protect families and staff from coronavirus.

Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire chief midwife, said: “One birthing partner is very much welcome during labour. However, to help tackle the spread of COVID-19 and maintain a safe maternity service for all women and their families, NHS Lanarkshire has taken the difficult decision to further restrict neonatal visiting as well as suspend our homebirth service with immediate effect.

“We understand this is an extremely difficult time for all pregnant women and their families but we need ensure our maternity service is safe. Mums-to-be should discuss any concerns with their community midwife.

“We are asking pregnant women who are scheduled to attend for ultrasound scans, appointments in our maternity day bed unit, antenatal clinics and maternity triage to attend on their own.”

On the suspension of home births, Cheryl added:

“Mums-to-be planning to have a home birth have been urged to contact their community midwife to discuss further. Their midwife will be able to support them with any worries they may have and talk through alternative birthing options. We will continue to monitor the situation carefully.

“We would like to thank you for your patience and for your support in protecting your family and our staff at this time.

“We urge all pregnant women to who are self-isolating to contact their community midwife to discuss their antenatal care and to contact maternity triage in emergency situations such as abdominal pain or concerns with your baby’s movement.”

Further details including contact details can be found on NHS Lanarkshire’s maternity services webpage.

For the latest information on COVID-19, please continue to visit the NHS Inform website.