The NSW Nurses’ and Midwives Association member said there were 21 beds in the maternity ward, but she believed there would be fewer beds in the new ward despite the $220 million hospital redevelopment. 

Tamworth hospital redevelopment manager Brad Hansen admitted a drop to a total of 20 beds for new mothers, with 10 single rooms, four double rooms and two beds in isolation. 

The midwife, who asked to remain anonymous, said the new ward should have more beds, not less, to deal with the influx of women from surrounding towns – including from Manilla and Quirindi, where hospitals are unable to deliver babies – not to mention the rise in chronic conditions.

“Obesity, diabetes, gestational diabetes and hypertension – those are the things that keep women in the ward ... (and) the caesarian rates are exorbitant at the moment.”

She said the number of beds reflected an “ideal” where medical advancements meant women could walk out of hospital four hours after giving birth. 

But she said it was normal for women who had undergone caesarian surgery to leave five days later, and diabetes and caesarian births also delayed the onset of breast milk, resulting in women staying in hospital for longer. 

Mr Hansen said the the current maternity ward was only half-full on average. 

“The new maternity unit will have the space to provide for the needs of women and their families for many years to come,” he said. 

He stressed that women often received home visits and breastfeeding support from a visiting midwife if they had a birth free from complications.