Couple excited to welcome their first child through a surrogate are banned from being at the baby's birth due to Sydney's coronavirus lockdown

  • A couple has been told they can't be present at their birth of their own child 
  • Steph Dierich and Ryan Holman are expecting a child by surrogate Kelly Futcher 
  • Westmead Hospital said they can't be at the birth due to Covid restrictions  

By BRETT LACKEY, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

A couple has been denied permission to be at the birth of their first child by a surrogate because of Sydney coronavirus lockdown.

Stephanie Dierich and Ryan Holman struggled long and hard to be parents, only to be told at the last minute they would miss out on the most important moment. 

Ms Dierich was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago which resulted in her being unable to carry a child, she told Today on Wednesday.

Stephanie Dierich and Ryan Holman struggled long and hard to be parents, only to be told at the last minute they would miss out on the most important moment

Stephanie Dierich and Ryan Holman struggled long and hard to be parents, only to be told at the last minute they would miss out on the most important moment

The northwest Sydney couple were determined to have a child and found surrogate Kelly Futcher, who is now 36 weeks pregnant. 

But Westmead Hospital wrote to them saying they would not be allowed to attend the birth as a Covid precaution during Sydney's lockdown.

Ms Dierich, the unborn child's biological mother, said her right to be present for her own baby's birth was being ignored.

Steph Dierich and Ryan Holman (right) with surrogate Kelly Futcher (left)

Steph Dierich and Ryan Holman (right) with surrogate Kelly Futcher (left) 

'It's heartbreaking to keep getting these automated email responses from the hospital and be told we can't be at the birth of our own child,' Ms Dierich said.

Mr Holman said they also wanted to be there to support Ms Futcher, having been closely involved throughout the pregnancy.

After they contacted the hospital they received a reply saying: 'We are not able to approve your request... Exemptions are being approved under extenuating circumstances only'.

'If being present at the birth of your own child isn't an extenuating circumstance I'm not sure what is,' Ms Dierich said.

Ms Futcher is upset by the hospital's blanket policy that meant Ms Dierich will not get told hold her new baby for several days.

'Who am I meant to give this gooey newborn to for skin-to-skin contact if the mother can't be there? And if medically the baby needs decisions to be made, the parents should be there,' she said.

Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston is fighting for the couple to be present - adding that causing anxiety for a pending mother was not ideal.

She wants to see new a policy introduced for hospitals in NSW in which parents-to-be for surrogacy arrangements are guaranteed the right to be at the birth.

A heavily pregnant Ms Futcher (pictured) said she was depending on the couple being present at the birth

A heavily pregnant Ms Futcher (pictured) said she was depending on the couple being present at the birth 

SYDNEY'S LOCKDOWN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW UNTIL AUGUST 28

Those living in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Shellharbour and Wollongong must abide by the following: 

* Masks are mandatory in all indoor settings outside the home, including offices and apartment buildings and you must carry a mask with you even if exercising alone. 

* Residents can travel only 5km from their homes - reduced from 10km previously. 

* Exercise and gather in groups of two while outside. 

* Only one member of each household per day allowed to leave the home for essential shopping. 

* No browsing in supermarkets and retail businesses. Shop only for essential items. 

* Funerals are capped at 10, weddings are banned. 

* No car pooling with other households when going out for exercise. 

* There is no curfew but a stay at home order applies, with only four reasons to leave your home . 

* Schools are closed with at-home learning in place, but no child will be turned away if they need to attend in person. 

The new rules are in addition to the stay-at-home orders already in place, which include only leaving the home to:

* Shop for essential items (one person only). 

* Give care and for compassionate reasons (one visitor only). 

* Exercise or for work or education that cannot be conducted remotely. 

People in Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Blacktown, Burwood, Bayside, Georges River, Parramatta, Strathfield, and parts of Penrith are under additional restrictions:

* Unless it is an essential service, such as health workers, businesses must give employees the option of working from home.

* Any authorised employees are permitted to leave their suburbs for work. 

* Some authorised workers require a negative Covid test every three days. 

* Face masks must be worn outdoors even if exercising alone.  

 The rest of NSW (including regional areas) is subject to the following restrictions. However, specific areas must also abide by snap lockdown rules similar to Greater Sydney rules when cases are found:

  • Dance and gym classes are limited to 20 people per class and masks must be worn. 

  • No more than five visitors (including children) allowed in homes. 
  • Masks are compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings. 
  • The four-square-metre rule is back for indoor and outdoor settings and drinking while standing at indoor venues is not allowed. 
  • Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs, but dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party (no more than 20 people). 

When does the lockdown end?  

  • Stay at home orders apply to Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour until at least August 28. 
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