Blackwood Woman Delivers Baby In Bathtub Amid Coronavirus Crisis

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Gloucester Township woman delivered a baby in her bathtub after a reported misunderstanding about hospital restrictions related to the outbreak of new coronavirus.

“I’ve never been more proud of myself or my husband,” Erin Persia, of Blackwood, said in a public social media post. “Thank you so so much to my sweet neighbor for coming over in a heart beat when I told her we needed her help, and bless my parents’ heart who showed up just as she was born and helped me through every second after. Big shout out to my dad who went out and bought cake!”

In the post, she shared pictures of herself and her new baby, who she described as “literally perfect.”

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Persia told 6 ABC they went to Virtua Voorhees when she had contractions, but her husband thought he had to wait in the car while she delivered the baby. After she thought the contractions stopped, the couple went home. When they started again, there wasn’t enough time to call 911, and she delivered the baby in her bathtub, according to the report.

Virtua said the incident was a misunderstanding, according to nj.com. The health system said expectant mothers are only alone when in triage, but that a support person is permitted in the room once she goes into labor.

According to the hospital’s website, one visitor is allowed to accompany a woman in labor, and it must be the same person throughout her hospital stay. That person is also the designated visitor in the mother/baby unit. To see more about patient visitor restrictions, visit virtua.org.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know