Midwives want mums on their own in domestic violence drive

Fathers-to-be in some parts of Scotland are finding themselves persona non grata at their partner's first meeting with the midwife. Expectant mothers in the north east of Edinburgh are being asked to come to their first midwife meeting on their own, in an attempt to question women on issues of domestic abuse.

The first antenatal checkup at 11-13 weeks has been declared a man-free zone by health professionals who believe it will help woman suffering from domestic violence.

'During that first appointment, a woman will now been seen by herself for five to ten minutes and that's very new,' said NHS Lothian domestic abuse co-ordinator Cathy Gillespie. 'Previously, partners have always come along but this just creates that bit of space where the midwife can ask the woman if there is anything she wants to say about life at home.'

The decision was slammed by Richard Cook, the Scottish spokesman for the Campaign Against Political Correctness ' Quite frankly what is needed is common sense. If midwives or doctors feel there is a problem, they might want to exclude someone, but clearly, when someone's starting a family, it's appropriate for the father to attend in support of his wife.'

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