Petition Require hospitals to permit partners to stay overnight with new birth givers
Childbirth can be traumatic, leaving birth givers with mobility, sleep, and mental challenges. Partners can provide crucial support, and help ensure the safety of the baby and the birth giver. Allowing overnight stays can foster bonding, support the birth giver's wellbeing, and promote inclusivity.
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Restricted visiting hours can leave the birth giver, possibly after enduring days of labour or surgery, to manage much of the night alone. With limited mobility and the responsibility of caring for the baby solo, safety concerns can arise. Birth partners can play a critical role in providing essential support.
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At 10,000 signatures, government will respond to this petition
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At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament
Related activity
Information on support for parents and carers of infants: share your experiences
On Tuesday 12 March, MPs will debate the information on support available to parents and carers of infants. The debate will be led by Sally-Ann Hart MP.
She would like to hear from people who have recent experience as a parent or carer of an infant.
Specifically, she would like to understand what information they were given about services regarding:
- breastfeeding and infant feeding
- physical and mental health
- parent-infant relationships.
She may quote your contribution directly during her debate.
Find out more and share your experiences with her by midday on Monday 11 March:
Information on support available for parents and carers of infants
Videos of the debate, the transcript of what was said, and other relevant material will be accessible shortly after the debate on this webpage.
What are Westminster Hall debates?
Westminster Hall is the second Chamber of the House of Commons.
Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Any MP can take part in a Westminster Hall debate.
Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'. This means that Westminster Hall debates don’t end in a vote on a particular action or decision.
Visual explainer: Westminster Hall debates