The HSE is to issue new guidance to hospitals today, to further ease maternity restrictions.
Partners will be able to attend 12-week scans and C-sections, under the measures.
This is already the case in several hospitals, but the HSE says it will become standard across all units.
But Social Democrats co-leader, Roisin Shortall, says further access is needed.
"These new guidelines are very very limited, and really it's essential that the women's partner is there.
"At a time when we're being told that it's safe for 200 people to meet outdoors at a social event, or for 40,000 people to attend Croke Park, it's just not good enough that women are being treated like this."
