Plea to ease Covid maternity rules as women continue to get bad news alone

But Not Maternity Alliance says postcode lottery remains despite guidance issued in December

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The majority of women who have received bad news about their pregnancy since December were on their own at the time, despite the NHS ordering trusts to allow partners to be present throughout scans, labour and birth, the Guardian can reveal.

An alliance of pregnancy rights campaigners have written to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, urging him to draw up a roadmap for easing visiting restrictions in maternity services.