Midwifery practice will offer new mums better care in Murray Bridge
A new model of care for pregnant women and new mothers in Murray Bridge focuses on their needs, and continuity of care.
This post about public health and safety is free to read. Please help Murray Bridge News tell more local stories by subscribing.
The journey through pregnancy, birth and new motherhood is about to get easier for hundreds of Murray Bridge women each year.
A new model of care, launched on Tuesday, will ensure women get consistent support every step of the way.
The Murray Bridge Midwifery Group Practice will pair expectant mums with one of 12 local midwives as early as 12 weeks into their pregnancies.
The same midwife will give each mum regular check-ups all the way through pregnancy, in consultation with her GP; offer support during labour and birth; and visit her at home for up to six weeks after birth.
Project lead Vanessa Drummond said having that continuity of care led to better outcomes for mothers and babies.
A trial in Berri had found that new mums felt comfortable going home sooner after birth because they knew they would be supported, she said.
“(Mums) will be cared for by a midwife they know and trust and have seen before,” she said.
“We can provide a lot more support and education.”
About 300 local women will benefit each year, including about 250 who will give birth at the Murray Bridge hospital.
Murray Bridge mum Emma Love used the services of a private midwife during her two pregnancies so she could experience the same sort of support.
She was glad that more local mums would now share a similar experience.
“Having continuity of care with my midwife had a very positive impact with our transition into parenthood,” she said.
“We felt very valued, very supported, and I’m really excited other women can have that now.”
Change will make midwifery careers more appealing
The new model will be better for midwives, too.
All of those involved with the group practice are now publicly employed and salaried, and no longer have to split duties between midwifery and nursing on hospital wards.
That would help local health authorities attract and retain staff, nursing and midwifery executive director Karen Hollitt suggested.
“It’s more consumer-focused, which is what women want and what midwives want,” she said.
Hypnobirthing expert Leanna Hines was sure that new mothers would benefit from having an advocate by their side throughout pregnancy and birth.
“Woman-centred care will ... (give) birthing women a choice,” she said.
“It will be huge for people to have their wishes fulfilled (during delivery) rather than them being challenged by the system.
“No woman should be challenged while they’re birthing.”
- Watch a video about the new model of care: www.youtube.com.
- More information: Talk to your GP or obstetrician or call the midwifery team at Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital on 8535 6777.
You can help keep local stories like this one free for everyone to read. Subscribe to Murray Bridge News today and support your locally owned news outlet, plus get access to exclusive stories you won’t find anywhere else, from just $5 a month.
