We were not treated as parents, Covid inquiry told

The Covid inquiry has been taking evidence about the impact on maternity services as part of its third section, or module, which is investigating the impact on the NHS and healthcare.

Ms Mullen, a mother of three, was giving first-hand “impact” evidence on behalf of 13 pregnancy, baby and parent organisations.

She found out she was expecting twin boys in 2019 and was considered high-risk. When pregnant with her first child, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia – a condition which can cause high blood pressure and lead to serious complications.

Her pregnancy was being monitored closely with scans every week because of concerns about the development of one of the babies.

Initially she said her husband was able to come with her to scanning appointments, but as Covid spread in March 2020, he was forced to wait in the car park outside after driving 50 miles from their home to the nearest hospital.

“It was just before the first lockdown came into effect,” she said.

“I was very nervous. It was very difficult to do that alone knowing [the pregnancy] was high-risk.”

In April 2020, Ms Mullen’s two sons were born prematurely, at 34 weeks, by caesarean section.

Her husband was able to be with her in the operating theatre and then in the recovery room for an hour, before being told Covid restrictions meant he had to leave.

Their two young boys then spent a total of 31 days in neonatal intensive care before they could be discharged.

Ms Mullen said Covid restrictions meant only one parent could be with them at a time, even after they had been moved to a single room away from other babies.