Boyfriend’s rights in hospital?

[KellyJellyfish]

Pregnant with my first (accidental pregnancy), had 12 week scan which showed 3cm submucosal fibroid which may cause problems, I also have hyperthyroidism which can cause problems as well.

I live with the father, but we’d unmarried. We were planning on getting married next summer, but finding out about the pregnancy has made me wonder if it’s worth just getting legally married now (no ceremony) purely so he can be my next of kin/make decisions on my behalf if I am unable to during labour (like if I’m unconscious). Last thing I’d want is for him not to be allowed to speak for me, or worse not even be allowed in the room, just because we’re not legally family.

But perhaps I’m worrying unnecessarily and times have changed to accommodate unmarried couples in hospitals. Obviously I’d prefer to have our real wedding next year! Can anyone shed some light? Thanks

Just get legally married now, it's really important for all the reasons listed above.

And really and truly, it's nice to have a party but I felt the signing of the papers had a lot more meaning.

Not us as we got married when I was pregnant, but the next bed to us in the postnatal ward mum was in the shower when midwives came round and because they weren't married couldn't talk to dad about a test for baby as they weren't married. Dad was a bit upset about it as he hadn't realised he didn't have parental responsibility yet- that's the only think I've ever heard of having an impact though

We got married a year after our baby was born - made no difference whatsoever during birth or our baby's 6 week NICU stay where father was involved in all decisions etc including when I wasn't able to visit for a week due to Covid.

Midwife here, without power of attorney I need the decision to come from YOUR mouth for anything during labour or its not happening. Some situations (not saying yours) its a form of control making the decisions for them and the patient is too scared to disagree (like the husband who told me to get his wife an epidural, asked her she didn't want one, when I refused he pinned me against the wall by the throat, he was domestically abusing her and couldnt be arsed listeningto her moan during contractions, she was coping beautifully and didnt want an epidural). Your partner can help, but the decisions need to come from you, unless you're unconscious or have power of attorney.