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Barwon Health / Maternity Services

(03) 4215 2060

COVID-19 and pregnancy

If you are currently isolating with COVID-19 and you are due to attend a maternity appointment, please contact Maternity Services to arrange for your appointment to be via phone/video. 

If you need to come to hospital, prior to entering, please phone reception on 4215 2060.

Information for visitors

We request all visitors:

  • Return a negative Rapid Antigen Test result before visiting.
  • Do not visit if COVID-19 positive, have COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact.
  • Wear a supplied face mask at all times (no exemptions) and do not eat or drink at a patient’s bedside.
  • Maintain 1.5m social distancing.
  • Perform hand hygiene.

Birth Suite

  • One primary support person for birth and one other support person. Masks must be worn in Birth Suite.
  • Support persons may accompany the birthing mother to theatre, but must wear the supplied mask which may be an N95 and comply with all Barwon Health requests.

Maternity Ward

  • Two visitors at a time, per person, not including the parents.
  • Children are permitted. 

Special Care Nursery

  • Two visitors at a time.
  • Children under the age of 16 are not permitted

Having an ultrasound at BMI

You many bring a support person to your appointment.

What to expect when you attend appointments

  • You will be asked about signs and symptoms of COVID-19, either by phone before your visit, or upon arrival.
  • Face masks must be worn during appointments.
  • If you are unwell please do not attend your appointment, We ask that you call maternity reception on 4215 2060 so an alternate appointment can be made.

What to expect when you come in to have your baby

  • You will be asked about signs and symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival.
  • You may be accompanied by one primary support person for birth, plus one other person.
  • For women who are not suspected of or have a confirmed case of COVID-19, we can offer water immersion during labour and birth where it is considered safe to do so for you and your baby. Please see Planning your birth for further information. To view our water immersion facilities please take a tour of our Maternity Services.
  • Women having an elective caesarean or an induction of labour: All elective surgery patients are asked COVID screening questions and will be required to take an asymptomatic COVID test.
  • Women who need an emergency caesarean will be tested in Birth Suite with a COVID-19 rapid test.

If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection:

  • You will be asked to wear a mask upon entry to the hospital and until you are settled into your room.
  • You will still be able to move in labour and birth in the position of your choice.
  • You will have access to a range of pain relief options, including Nitrous Oxide.
  • An epidural will be strongly recommended early in labour to minimise the need for general anaesthesia if you require urgent delivery via caesarean section.
  • We will recommend that you have continuous fetal heart rate monitoring during labour.

What to expect when you go home

  • If you and your baby are well, going home as soon as possible after the birth is best advised and will be encouraged.
  • We will offer you visits at home, telephone or telehealth (video) visits.
  • We will call to assess if you or anyone in your household have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to doing a home visit.
  • If you are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, we will coordinate postnatal midwife care with you that is best suited to you and your baby’s needs.
  • For information about taking your baby home and postnatal home visits click here.

COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy

The best way to reduce risks associated with having COVID-19 during pregnancy is to get vaccinated. 

Click here to book a vaccination.

Last Modified: Monday, 11 December 2023