During this very strange and uncertain year, one of the most common questions we have understandably received from our patients is whether or not their partner can attend.
Thankfully, the answer is yes. Unlike a hospital setting where there may be a high footfall of people coming and going, our private clinics allow for a much more relaxed and safe atmosphere, where each couple is brought in one at a time for their appointment. We are therefore delighted to be able to allow partners to attend while also taking some pressure off the healthcare system. We also understand and appreciate how important a time this is for parents, and the need for mothers to have a support system during their appointment.
The restrictions in maternity hospitals for partners during Covid 19 has been a serious topic of debate in the Dáil and amongst the general public. Mothers have sadly had to endure a lot on their own and TDs have been sharing many concerning stories to highlight the need for partners to be present and to campaign for more compassionate regulations in hospitals. As such, it is now more important than ever to be mindful of the mental health of expectant parents. In fact, even in normal times, the HSE estimates that:
As many as 1 in 5 women have mental health problems in pregnancy or after birth. It can happen to anyone. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems in pregnancy. These affect about 10 to 15 out of every 100 pregnant women.
In light of these findings, we are doing what we can to ensure that these figures are not further increased by the uncertainty and fear surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that inconsistent social support is one of the most significant risk factors for depression among pregnant women (NCBI). Expectant parents are separated from their loved ones, whom they rely on during this critical phase. Social distancing has significantly reduced access to social outlets for many pregnant women, and has meant that many traditional celebrations – such as baby showers and gender reveal parties – have been cancelled or downsized. Similarly, ultrasound scans can be a very meaningful and sentimental part of pregnancy. Aside from giving the parents a chance to see their baby, an ultrasound study can detect foetal abnormalities and other health issues, which is all the more reason for the partner to be present in the room.
In order for us to continue allowing partners into our clinics, we do ask that visitors follow a few guidelines in the interests of safety; some of which may already be familiar from attending other medical appointments:
- Please call your respective clinic when you have arrived and we will let you know when it is safe to proceed inside.
- Both patient and partner must wear a mask at all times while in the clinic building.
- Each of our clinics have hand sanitizer units for you to use at reception.
- Both of your temperatures will be checked on arrival. If either person has a temperature of 38℃ or higher we unfortunately cannot proceed with the scan and will ask you to make contact with your GP. Once you are in a position to reschedule, just call and we will be happy to book you in again. If your initial appointment was booked and paid for using our online booking system, we will honor the initial payment.
- For the safety of other patients and staff, we cannot, under any circumstances, permit children or other visitors into our clinics. If any last minute childcare commitments should arise, please do not hesitate to phone and let us know and we will reschedule – these things happen!
If you would like more information on anything covered in this post, you can get in touch via info@theultrasoundsuite.ie or send us a message on our Facebook page and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our website www.theultrasoundsuite.ie also provides a wealth of information on our various policies and procedures.
We look forward to seeing you soon!