"Restrictions for support persons in maternity setting"

I recently submitted a visitor exemption request for my partner to attend my pregnancy scan, also my first scan at KEMH, which was swiftly rejected despite my explanation of our situation. I then proceeded to the anatomy scan alone, to which I then saw around x3 other women there all with their respective partners, in the space of just 45 minutes while I awaited my scan. Showing, in my opinion, that clearly some exemptions are being granted and/or people just being let through without one. The scan experience itself was not enjoyed; it was stressful, tearful and anxiety filled. I was told I was in fact not allowed to Facetime or even call my partner during the scan, something which keeps being promoted as some compensation for support persons still being restricted to attending these processes at the current time.

At this scan, I was then told that I would need to come in every 2 weeks for repeat scans due to the high risk nature of my pregnancy, and that this could also further increase in frequency.

I am constantly being told that I am having a high risk pregnancy, which was further reinforced by the KEMH Obstetrician I saw, explaining that also due to the type of pregnancy, that then again makes this even higher risk due the chance of developing a prenatal syndrome, among other issues that may arise. Yet, my request to have just one support person with me through this process, to hear the same information so we can absorb it together as first time parents, is rejected.

Not having my partner there with me since I started attending my appointments at KEMH has been taking a significant toll on my mental health. As a first time mum I feel isolated, severely anxious at the thought of attending my other appointments alone that it is still affecting my sleep, and at times deeply depressed that my partner doesn’t get to see the progress with me.

I have written to the patient liaison officer, pleading for a reconsideration for my partner’s exemption, and also because the various KEMH health care professionals I have seen so far, urged me to reapply and even email this service. Because they too believe this is just a lot to go through alone and support me as their patient having my support person there with me through this. Both the midwife and OBGYN I saw at my first appointment at the high risk clinic were actually surprised when I didn’t have my partner/parent of the babies there with me, which again was incredibly disheartening, thinking that they could and should have been there after all.

I am truly hoping for a positive outcome and support from KEMH patient liaison team regarding my request, as being a nurse myself I understand the importance of treating the whole patient – which includes psychosocial factors. So I was both shocked and ashamed at what I feel are the harsh visitor restrictions still in place at KEMH for so many mothers-to-be, who are continually pushing the limits on compassionate grounds for their patients and visitors, despite also being a high risk setting.