A Scots maternity unit says birthing partners will have to wear masks during labour in the fight against coronavirus.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran made the announcement today and added that pregnant women will only be allowed one single companion during labour.
While only one person is usually allowed in the room at one time, usually women can bring a few family members who can take turns each to be in the room to support her.
A post on the Ayrshire Maternity Unit's Facebook page said: "We are permitting one birthing partner at Caesarean sections as long as they are free of Covid 19 symptoms and wear a mask."
The post followed speculation that C-section births would exclude birthing partners after AMU announced new measures to keep the virus from spreading.
The initial post said if visitors were free of Covid-19 symptoms the would be allowed "One birthing partner for labour. No swapping of attendees will be permitted."
The maternity unit has also tightened up on people coming and going in other areas of antenatal care. Pregnant women are now only allowed one person accompanying for ultrasound, early pregnancy, maternity assessment unit, maternity inpatient ward and gynaecology ward.
