This was published 3 years ago
Restrictions on hospital visitors soften for expectant mums
By Lydia Lynch
Pregnant Queenslanders will now be able to have two support people while in labour and two visitors each day after they have given birth, with restrictions easing on Thursday.
Strict limits were put in place at hospitals across the state in late March to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
A woman in labour will be allowed to have a support person such as a doula as well as their partner present for birth.Credit: iStock
Most patients are still allowed one visit each day, however only two people can come and they cannot stay longer than two hours.
There is no time limit for the visiting partner or father of a newborn.
A person receiving end-of-life care in hospital will now be allowed to have more than two visitors, who can stay as long as they like.
While a woman is in labour, she will be allowed to have a support person such as a doula, as well as her partner present for birth.
"Children under the age of 16 will not be able to visit you and the baby at hospital," Queensland Health advice states.
"It’s a good idea to organise for someone to look after them while you are at the hospital for the birth and the days following, and to plan for a special reunion and time to meet the baby at home."
While public health rules have been eased, Queensland Health warns that individual hospitals and wards may choose to keep strict visiting rules.
"Each hospital, and wards within hospitals, can make decisions around visiting that are in the best interest of the patient and may change depending on the situation at the time."
Sammy Stokes, her partner Andy and their baby girl Sunny at their home in Kallangur. The couple made the decision to have a homebirth due to COVID-19 social distancing rules at hospital. Credit: AAP/Dan Peled
Up until Wednesday, women were only allowed one person with them while in labour, leading to a 500 per cent increase in home births since the coronavirus crisis started.