Elysia Keygan is due to give birth at any moment, but with a flood-damaged bridge causing significant traffic delays, she is scared she will welcome her next child into the world by the side of the road.
The Cam River Bridge on the Bass Highway at Somerset has been reduced to one lane after underwater investigations last week revealed flood waters had undermined a pier on the bridge.
Ms Keygan lives just outside Somerset on the western side of the bridge — the opposite side to the North West Regional Hospital.
"I'm concerned that I will get stuck in traffic when I go into labour and end up giving birth on the side of the road, or if I need an ambulance, they won't get to me in time," she said.
"I understand that people around the world give birth without being in hospital every day. But that's not the society we live in."
Ms Keygan said she would feel more secure knowing help was accessible if she or her baby needed immediate medical attention.
"I only gave birth to my daughter last year and needed medical assistance to help bring her into this world," she said.
"What if I needed it again but couldn't access it? And as a result, lose my unborn child, or I might die in front of my partner and 15-month-old daughter on the highway for the community all to see?"
Ms Keygan is considering staying with her parents in Burnie until the baby arrives, but she prefers preparing for the birth from the comfort of her own home.
She also does not want to be separated from her partner and fears he will get stuck on the other side of the bridge and miss the birth of his child.
Doctor wants up-to-date information
Burnie-based obstetrician and gynaecologist Kim Dobromilsky said the situation was concerning.
"Patients are having trouble getting to appointments, and they are also having to think about whether to … line up for hours or miss their appointment," she said.
"Birthing is a very unpredictable process already. You can't plan when you need to come in for birthing.
"At the moment, you can't plan how long the wait is going to be over the bridge."
Dr Dobromilsky said she would like to see more up-to-date information on wait times.
"I'm really quite anxious that I am going to get a phone call about what to do for someone who can't make it to the hospital," she said.
'Allow for additional travel time'
Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest has raised concerns about how pregnant women will be able to access the hospital quickly if needed.
"I am aware there are pregnant women due to give birth in the next few weeks who live west of the Cam River who may be feeling concerned about travel times to the hospital, especially at peak times," she said.
"I encourage women who think they may be in early labour to go to the hospital sooner than they might otherwise and don't forget they can call an ambulance if labour progresses quickly."
The Health Department is advising pregnant women to allow for extra travel time due to the potential to become stuck on their way to hospital.
"Maternity services are continuing uninterrupted, but expectant mothers from west of the Cam River Bridge attending the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) should allow additional travel time in the coming days," the Health Department said.
In a statement, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said maternity teams would contact expectant mothers living on the western side to discuss their care plans, and said they were welcome to contact maternity services.
"Patients attending outpatient appointments and other planned care at the NWRH should also allow sufficient travel time."
Mr Rockliff said emergency services vehicles had priority access to the bridge and there was a hard shoulder area in place, which was being facilitated by traffic controllers.
Ambulance Tasmania has established additional resources west of the bridge, and pre-positioned a helicopter in Launceston, the dedicated Northern aero-support site.
Additional bus services have been put in place to help relieve congestion, and all government-contracted bus services, including school buses, that travel across the river have been made free.
Weather permitting, the Department of State Growth says both lanes of the Bass Highway on the Cam River Bridge will be able to open next weekend when repairs are expected to be completed.
