A Dapto mother has been left heartbroken after her fiancé was barred from the birth of her daughter because he tested positive for COVID.
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Emma Bartley gave birth to a baby girl at Wollongong Hospital over the weekend, her partner could only be there through Facetime.
She said she was "lucky" as her own mother was able to step in at the last minute but she knows others who don't have anyone else.
Ms Bartley said hospital protocols were "disgusting" and left expectant mothers with anxiety.
"I know the system is under pressure, but it wasn't the best experience not having him here, and it's going to happen to lots of mums," she said.
"It's not right ... more needs to be done to support mums."
Her partner became unwell late last week and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, forcing Ms Bartley to temporarily move out before the birth.
Ms Bartley said there had been a lot of confusion and anguish leading up to the birth, with her expectant friends told of differing protocols by midwives from a different Sydney hospital.
"I tried to stay as calm as possible," she said.
"I feel we're all going to get it [COVID-19] but the Birthing Unit rules and the stress it's putting on mums - it's not just me, it's all mums - it's very stressful."
Currently no visitors are allowed in Wollongong or Shellharbour hospitals except for one partner/support person for a mother during labour and birth, provided they test negative to a Rapid Antigen Test by staff before entering.
"Women due to have their baby are being asked to have additional support people on standby, should their initial partner/support people test positive," the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District website states.
"Only COVID negative support people will be permitted to enter the Birthing Unit. If the birthing woman is COVID positive, she can still have a COVID negative support person.
"However, that support person will then be deemed a close contact and subsequently need to commence a 7 day isolation period after leaving the birthing unit."
Women due to have their baby are being asked to have additional support people on standby, should their initial partner/support people test positive.
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Ms Bartley said the timing of her latest pregnancy was "horrible", with her fiancé forced to miss out on so much due to pandemic protocols (even when testing negative) such as ultrasound scans and other medical appointments.
The Mercury contacted the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Western Sydney Local Health Districts plus NSW Health for further comment but they did not respond.
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