At seven months pregnant, Parul Pahwa is busy preparing for the arrival of her new baby.
But with no family in Australia aside from her young daughter and husband - who is recovering from a stroke - she's worried about how she'll cope.
"I'm stressed but I cannot do anything. My mother-in-law should be here, my brother-in-law should be here, but they cannot come," the 35-year-old told SBS News.
Parul migrated to Sydney from India in 2017. Under COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Australian government's border closure to all non-citizens and non-residents means her family overseas aren't allowed to visit.
Even if they were able to secure an exemption on compassionate grounds, Parul said they would not be able to afford the high cost of flights and hotel quarantine.
Parul Pahwa would like her family to be able to visit from India for the birth of her second child. Source: SBS
"I just think they could reduce the fees for the quarantine period because $3,000 [in NSW] is a lot," she said.
"Everyone needs someone to help them, especially a mother or mother-in-law. I need someone especially."
It's a concern shared by many other expectant and new parents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sydney mother Nicci Valadi gave birth to her son, Matheo, three months ago, and planned to have her mother fly over from Spain to help.
"You know it's going to be a lot of work with a baby, but it was more than I thought so I really would enjoy the support, and also for Matheo to be with his grandma and family," she said.
Nicci said she was recently referred to a local parenting support group called Mum to Mum by her midwife.
Sydney mother Nicci Valadi with her partner Ambrose and three-month-old son Matheo. Source: SBS
The non-profit organisation arranges for new mothers to connect with a trained volunteer mother on a weekly basis for the first year of motherhood.
"Every mother who engages with the program has unique challenges,” said its founder Nadene Alhadeff.
“These can include mental ill health, a traumatic personal history, isolation, physical issues, financial insecurity, relationship challenges and all too frequently, domestic abuse."
'Mothers are even more isolated'
Last month, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called for more people in Australian to have children to help boost the economy and population.
"I won't go as far as to say, like [former Howard Government treasurer] Peter Costello, 'one for the mother, one for the father and one for the country'," he said in a speech to the National Press Club.
"But I can say that people should feel encouraged about the future and the more children that we have across the country, together with our migration, we will build our population growth and that will be good for the economy."
But Ms Alhadeff said there's never been a more challenging time to start a family.
"Isolation is the biggest cause of postnatal depression and anxiety and what we're finding now with COVID-19 is that mothers are even more isolated than ever before," she said.
The National Perinatal Anxiety and Depression service (PANDA) said it has seen a 20 per cent rise in calls for help since the start of the pandemic and a 40 per cent increase in callers from Victoria in the past fortnight.
"Ultimately, it's general mental vulnerability and distress, it's people who have historically been travelling okay and as a result of a new baby have really been displaced as a result of the disconnection from their community," she said.
Mum for Mum volunteer Nadene Alhadeff with new mother Nicci Valadi. Source: SBS
Financial pressures
For new migrant parents, supporting themselves financially can also be tough.
Those who are the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child get up to 18 weeks' Parental Leave Pay from the government, which is paid at the National Minimum Wage. But it is normally only available to Australian citizens, permanent residents and holders of a protected Special Category visa (SCV).
Newly arrived residents may have to wait two years before getting the payment, but under COVID-19 changes, the government has removed the newly arrived resident waiting period until the end of the year.
In Australia, the birth rate has fallen 14 per cent over the past decade.
Social demographer Mark McCrindle said it is a trend that is expected to continue, particularly with overseas migration now at a stand-still.
"People need to feel confident about the future, about the economy, and about their own lives, before they bring a child into the world, so we're going to see low birth rates perhaps even declining rates for a few years to go," he said.
Mr Frydenberg told SBS News in a statement: “To help cushion the blow during this once in a century global pandemic, the Morrison Government is providing an unprecedented level of support totalling $314 billion.”
“Certain temporary visa holders have access to JobKeeper, JobSeeker or other welfare and support payments depending on their circumstances.”
“Permanent residents may be eligible for Parental Leave Pay and Family Tax Benefit Part A under existing flow-on exemption rules. Those who do not qualify for Parental Leave Pay may still be eligible for income support, or the Family Tax Benefit, which can include the Newborn Supplement and Newborn Upfront Payment for families.”
For those like Nicci, who have already started a family during the pandemic and may be struggling, she has some words of advice.
"Definitely, to go out and not isolate yourself at home, I think that's very important," she said.
"Even if you're not allowed to be in restaurants, you can always go to the park."
PANDA’s free National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline is available Monday to Friday 9am-7.30pm on 1300 726 306. More information and support can be found at
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If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
