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Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns leads campaign for pregnant women to be supported at scans and birth




A pregnant MP is leading the call for hospitals and clinics to rethink strict coronavirus policies.

Alicia Kearns, the member of parliament for Rutland and Melton which includes the Vale of Belvoir, is leading a group of 60 MPs in calling on NHS trusts across the country to ensure no woman goes through pregnancy scans or labour without a partner or close family member present.

Despite Government guidance permitting partners to attend scans and the entirety of labour, many trusts around the country are asking expectant mothers to attend appointments alone.

Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns
Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns

In a letter to chairmen and chief executives of NHS trusts co-signed by more than 60 of her Conservative colleagues, Mrs Kearns urged all NHS trusts to allow women to have a supportive person present for all scans and during every stage of labour.

She also highlighted the horrific experiences of women who had attended scans alone to find their baby had died or who had undergone traumatic c-sections without any support.

Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, said: “Being pregnant is wonderful, but difficult at the best of times and it is truly heartbreaking that women across the country are not being treated equally at this huge milestone in their lives.

“Expectant mothers and their partners or loved ones deserve better, and my colleagues and I will continue to campaign on this most important of issues until it is resolved."

Mrs Kearns, who announced her own pregnancy last month, was able to have her husband with her at key scans but continues to work with her colleagues in Government to ensure women across the country are afforded the same right to support during scans and labour.



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