Dads to Stay Overnight at Birth

At present, each NHS Trust is able to set their own policies on whether Dads can stay overnight on their maternity wards. Whilst one hospital will allow this, another five miles away, will not. Should parents be sent to a different hospital to the one stated in their birthing plan, they do not know if the Dad can stay overnight.

At the birth of my baby, I was shocked that Dads were being asked if they wanted to stay overnight, as this should be a given with no need to be asked. Whilst most Dads said they would stay overnight, several said they were going home. The expectation should be that they are all staying at hospital with their partner. After Dads had advised that they would be staying, they were then told that there was nowhere for them to sleep other than a plastic chair and it was made clear that the food was for the expectant mother. While the food issues is fully accepted, a more comfortable environment should be provided for Dads.

Initially, I wanted to campaign for the comfort aspect to be improved, however when researching this, it became apparent that Dads are not allowed to stay overnight at all hospitals. This is reminiscent of of Victorian times, yet it is still happening in 2020.

Dads are a great emotional support to their partners during labour, and if allowed to stay, can relieve midwives from this role. When there is a societal view that men often don't get involved with child care, they should be encouraged and accepted to stay at hospital at such a significant time as child birth. By not allowing Dads to stay, sends out the wrong message to new Dads. Furthermore, a baby needs to be able to form attachments with both parents, and therefore Dads must be able to start this relationship from the outset.

Please support us in our campaign to get all NHS Trusts to have consistency in policy, by allowing Dads to stay overnight at every maternity ward.

Thank you

Jonathan Roberts