On that doc it says 'women should have support... on antenatal and postnatal in line with pre-covid trust policies.' Looks to me like they say visiting should not be viewed as a visit, but as support, which is totally what it is.
I was bruised up to nearly my belly button with my vaginal birth. Had suffered terrible pgp and couldn't get off the bed myself. I was less mobile than the women who'd had c-sections.
Midwives were too busy to supply me with the regular meds I was supposed to be getting, let alone help me take care of my baby. My night alone on the ward was one of the worst of my life. And all that was PRE COVID. This was why I refused a second night in hospital.
Partners aren't visitors. They are support, carers and honestly, their presence (the majority of the time) helps the midwives too!!! As it meant I didn't need to bother midwives for every nappy change or everytime I needed to get out of bed for a wee or whatever.
Many partners are part of the same bubble, it totally should be a non-issue if both are testing negative. I've heard stories of vulnerable (at their most vulnerable) bullied into making choices they didn't want to make because they didn't have an advocate.
This whole this is super sexist. It really grinds my gears.