Pregnant women are urging Health Minister Robin Swann to allow partners back into scan appointments and early labour after they were excluded by stringent lockdown restrictions.
A survey of prospective mothers has found women have been dealing with anxiety, miscarriage and seriously ill infants without support due to changes to maternity services caused by Covid-19 precautions.
Maternity charity BirthWise is calling for updated guidelines after its survey found while women were "extremely positive" about the "warm, compassionate, high-quality care" received from maternity services, they were "unhappy that their partners are being excluded from scan appointments, early labour, and antenatal/postnatal visiting".
A Department of Health spokesman said a review is underway and will be published soon.
A spokesman said they "would like to assure the public that restrictions will not be in place for any longer than is required."
Everyone who had a scan appointment after restrictions were introduced had to attend alone, with one being told she had miscarried.
Women without their partner in early labour described their experience as `lonely' and those without ward visits saying it "contributed to them feeling alone, unsupported, or anxious".
BirthWise found the Covid-19 restrictions were "understood and respected by women", but wants partners allowed to attend booking and anomaly scan appointments where there are concerns about the pregnancy or a previous loss.
It also wants partners allowed to be there for early labour and once daily visits to wards - more frequently in exceptional circumstances.
