Mums-to-be said they had received just three days notice of the shutdown — in some cases even less — with several women finding out second hand, throwing their birth plans into disarray.

Twenty-year-old Bullaburra resident Emma Tatam whose first child is due to be born in eight weeks told the Gazette she has no confidence there will be a bed available at Nepean Hospital when she goes into labour — yet she considers herself one of the lucky ones.

“They (midwives) said to call us on the day, so I can't plan where I have my labour — to me that's a huge stress,” Emma said.

“If it's (labour) on a Sunday afternoon with all the tourist traffic, I could be having my baby on the side of the highway.”

Emma said she was shocked because she was given a familiarisation tour of the birthing suite at Katoomba Hospital by a midwife as late as Wednesday evening.

“I didn't find out (the maternity ward would close on Monday) until I went to my private GP on Friday morning. I was not contacted by the hospital about it.

“I can't imagine what women who are due right now are going through — at least I have slightly more time."

Time is a luxury that 36-weeks pregnant Hazelbrook woman Rebecca (surname withheld due to request) simply does not have.

“My partner and I chose Katoomba Hospital because it is midwife-run and a small, caring and nurturing place which we felt comfortable in,” Rebecca said.

“We've been going to clinics and getting to know the midwives and the place — we don't want an intervention-based delivery.

“To be told on the phone (on Friday) that 36 weeks of preparing emotionally and physically and the experience you've been planning for is not an option — it’s bewildering.

“Whoever made the decision just doesn't understand they are dealing with human beings here.

“It's scary enough having your first child and you have to feel safe and supported — they've just ripped this away.”

Rebecca said she won't have her baby at Nepean and does not know where she will give birth yet.

“There is the possibility of having a home birth or going to Sydney. I don't know yet, I'm just trying to be calm.

“We were told it (the closure) was for safety reasons, well I think my emotional stress is a safety issue and I don't think it’s good for my baby.”

Arguably the most disturbing story came from Blue Mountains grandmother Joyce Thomson, who proudly says all her grandchildren were born at Katoomba Hospital.

Mrs Thomson told the Gazette her daughter had an emergency Ceasarian at the hospital last Friday. The baby came a week early and is doing well.

“My daughter only came to the hospital for a regular check-up and had to have emergency surgery," Mrs Thomson said.

“What in God's name would have happened if she'd had the baby this week?

“I'm very angry because this is wrong — how dare they.”