JUST three days after closing down indefinitely due to staff shortages, the Blue Mountains birthing unit had to reopen temporarily when a fatal car crash blocked the Great Western Highway for several hours.

The incident on Thursday evening has highlighted the precarious position pregnant women in the area now face.

Women previously booked into Blue Mountains have been told they must travel either to Lithgow or Nepean - which is an hour-long trip for some.

Although the Sydney West Area Health Service said the reason for the closure was staff shortages, specifically a lack of obstetric and anaesthetic cover, the hospital was able to obtain coverage during the closure.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for the service said there were no births or women presenting in labour to Blue Mountains on Thursday night.