Mum laboured for hours in hospital car park due to maternity restrictions

New guidelines will take effect on November 1 for support partners attending maternity hospitals. This will allow partners to attend 'on arrival in labour or for induction of labour' during the day, with some limits applied at night. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins Dublin

Mother of four Breege O’Connor laboured for over two hours in a hospital car park so her husband could support her as Covid-restrictions continue to affect births at many hospitals.

New guidelines will take effect on November 1 for support partners attending maternity hospitals. This will allow partners to attend “on arrival in labour or for induction of labour” during the day, with some limits applied at night.