NHS maternity units have been restricting men’s access both pre- and post-natally since the start of lockdown, but restrictions have varied geographically, and their impact is unknown.
From 1 October 2014, expectant dads have the right to take unpaid time off work to accompany their pregnant wife or partner to up to 2 of her ante-natal appointments.
Sources of help for fathers during the Covid-19 crisis
Families in the UK, and around the world, are experiencing unprecedented challenges, ranging from enforced proximity to enforced separation, not to mention coping with financial stress and the difficulties of keeping small children entertained.
Dads Shut Out: fathers and maternity services during the pandemic
NHS maternity services’ engagement with fathers has always been piecemeal. In Who’s the Bloke in the Room, our 2018 Nuffield Foundation-funded review of evidence about fathers in the antenatal period, we explored the UK evidence about expectant fathers’ impact, including around labour/birth.
Free online groups for new and expectant dads during Covid-19
Dads have a critical impact on babies, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, fathers face significant extra challenges.
Many dads are being excluded from NHS appointments, scans or early labour, and access to health visitors or other family support is limited.
That’s why we’re teaming up with Best Beginnings to run small online groups for dads, under a Barnardo’s programme funded by the Department for Education.