Partners of expectant mothers could miss some of their labour as lockdown protocols are reintroduced to Noble’s Hospital.

Under the guidelines, which were also put in place for last year’s lockdown, birthing partners are not allowed in the Jane Cookall maternity unit’s main ward and will be only allowed in the delivery suite when the mother is about 4cm dilated or about to have a caesarean section.

They will then be required to leave once the baby is born.

No visitors are permitted on the ward prior to the mother and child returning home.

Two ’essential visitors’ per baby will be permitted on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Both parents may visit for a block period each day, but multiple daily visits are not permitted and no siblings can visit.

One ’essential visitor’ only per child will be permitted on the paediatric ward and will be required to stay with their child from admission to discharge. No siblings can visit.

A government spokesperson added: ’We understand that this will be difficult for our patients and their loved ones, but we believe that this is a necessary step to promote the safety of our new mothers and children.’