Former AFLW star Moana Hope’s relief after new rules for expectant mothers clarified
Moana Hope has expressed her relief after a rollercoaster of emotions over the new restrictions imposed on birthing mums and their partners. It comes after the former AFLW star’s emotional response to the “inhuman” rule.
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Moana Hope is relieved there has been a government clarification after hitting out over new rules for expectant mothers.
Hope received huge support after labelling new restrictions that a woman’s partner has to leave two hours following birth as “stupid”, “heartless” and “outrageous”.
The former AFLW star’s wife Isabella Carlstrom is 23 weeks pregnant with their first child.
“Thank you to everyone who used their voice to call out this BS rule,’’ she wrote today.
“I’m excited to say that overnight this inhuman decision has been reversed.
“To mums and partners who are expecting, this one (was) for you.”
The Andrews Government has clarified the rules, saying the only change was that a pregnant woman giving birth can now have one visitor when before it was two.
Her partner or support person can stay for as long as they wish during labour, birth and after the baby is born.
Hope posted last night: “Can somebody PLEASE explain (to) me why this has been put in place?” she wrote on Instagram.
“@danielandrewsmp this doesn’t make sense. Kicking the partner out after 2 hours of birth … The mother’s (sic) need help, the parent/ support person needs to be there for those moments of birth.
“What if something happens to Mum or the baby, how dare this be a rule.”
Hope asked her followers how to fight it and for their input.
Broadcaster and former reality show star Ash Pollard, who is pregnant with her first child, was one of the first to comment.
“I am beside myself about this with only weeks to go,’’ she wrote.
Anna Scullie, wife of Carlton star Eddie Betts, also commented. She is expecting the couple’s fifth child.
“I’m with you Moana,’’ Scullie wrote. “Common sense tells me that the partner is already in the birthing bubble so just enact a rule that means the partner can stay there.
“It will just increase home births, which I’m not totally against anyway. Less intervention.”
Hope begged the Premier to revisit the rule as it’s not “humanly right”.
“They better have some seriously strong security when we’re there coz I ain’t leaving that place for nobody.
“Ain’t no heartless bulls--- government rule going to stop me from being there for you,” she wrote to Carlstrom.