WOMEN are now able to have two partners to support them through their labour and birth at Dorset County Hospital.

Pregnant women going into labour and giving birth at DCH can now have up to two partners to support them, for the first time since the pandemic began.

Each partner must take a lateral flow test for Covid-19 no more than 24 hours before they go into the hospital and, if a room is available, can stay until the new mother and her baby are discharged.

A spokesman for the DCH Maternity Unit said: "Up to two partners can accompany women for all admissions to the labour ward. Partners must wear a face covering and must have tested negative on a recent lateral flow test.

"If a single room is available postnatally, partners can stay until the woman and her baby are discharged home. If there isn’t a single room available after the birth, partners need to go at home overnight but can return the next day. They can also accompany women for appointments in the Day Assessment Unit."

For more information, visit www.dchft.nhs.uk/service/maternity-unit/