Rally hears of loneliness and isolation caused by maternity restrictions

Members of Uplift in Cork who delivered a petition signed by 52,250 people to Cork University Maternity Hospital calling for partners to be allowed to attend all scans, appointments, all stages of labour and postnatal visits. Included are Siobhán O'Donoghue, director, Uplift; Linda Kelly, Holly de Burgh, Julie Coakley and Councillor John Maher who is also supporting the petition. Picture: Denis Minihane.

An online rally against the restrictions in the Irish maternity services heard how women felt lonely, isolated and traumatised by their partner not being allowed to attend pregnancy scans and early labour.

Women also spoke about being alone on a wards after having a c-section, with no partner there to support them.