Pregnant women petrified over uncertainty on birthing options in Central Queensland

With their maternity services collapsing around them, expectant Central Queensland couples are resorting to desperate measures in case they are forced to give birth on the side of the road.

Jade Van Krimpen is scared she won’t make it to Rockhampton Hospital in time and may be forced to give birth on the side of the road. Picture: William Debois

Expectant couples are turning to YouTube videos to learn how to deliver a baby.

With Gladstone maternity services on bypass, Jade Van Krimpen is pregnant and terrified that she won’t make it to Rockhampton on time and her baby will be born on the side of the road with only husband David at hand to help.

The couple are trying to educate themselves on birthing by watching online videos.

“It is terrifying. I thought the Gladstone maternity unit would be off bypass by now and I could be sure of having my baby in my home town. My other children were born there and it was a good experience,” the 29-year-old said.

“I can’t believe that in 2023 we are left to worry sick about where our babies will be born.

“I have a four and two year old and we will have to get relatives to look after them while we travel to Rockhampton.

“My babies have always arrived quickly so how will I know exactly when to go.”

Jade Van Krimpenwith her children Gryffin, 1, and Grayson, 4. Picture: William Debois

The Telina woman said she was aware that there have been cases of mothers arriving at Rockhampton being told to book into accommodation if the birth was not imminent.

She worries that accommodation may not be available.

Ms Van Krimpen was shocked to hear that Rockhampton obstetricians had recently resigned.

A Save Gladstone Maternity Ward Facebook page had been set up for women to share their bypass stories.

A mother who gave birth in October and ended up in Rockhampton shared: “I hadn’t really realised how much the bypass had affected me until I got into the birthing suite and realised that I hadn’t felt safe in months. The unknown of where my daughter would be born was utterly terrifying”.

Angry parents also turned up at a rally this week in Gladstone to protest that women were being forced to travel to Rockhampton to have their babies.

The Maternity Consumer Network’s Alecia Staines told the Saturday Courier-Mail that the Gladstone maternity unit operated well and women in the area were generally happy with the hospital.

Dr Emma McCahon, chief executive Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service said the HHS was committed to returning birthing service to Gladstone Hospital as soon as it is safe to do so “and will continue to pursue every possible avenue in recruitment of suitably qualified doctors”.