International Day of the Midwife on Monday 5 May celebrates the vital role Midwives play in being by families’ sides before, during and after their babies are born.
The Midwives at Bass Coast Health (BCH) care for families during the ante-natal, birth, post-natal and early years stages – both in the Maternity Ward at Wonthaggi Hospital and in the community as Maternal and Child Health Nurses.
The theme for International Day of the Midwife is: ‘Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis’, reflecting the role Midwives play as trusted first responders within their communities, not only when births go well but also when challenges arise.
Midwives respect the vulnerability and trust women place in them to guide women through the birthing process, to keep mothers-to-be safe and to support them.
The uniqueness of the role is not lost on Midwives Eden Roney and Hayley Furmage.
Eden said, “It’s a privilege to be involved in such a valuable and special time in people’s lives.”
Hayley, in her first year as a Midwife, said “It’s an honour to support families throughout their journey.”
Student Midwife Amber Turner has been awe-struck while helping with births.
“It’s one of the best days of the parents’ lives and we get to be there. We get to see women while they’re pregnant, during labour and after they give birth, so as a Midwife I’m able to provide continuity of care,” she said.
Wonthaggi Hospital has three modern birthing suites and four post-natal beds. Midwives also provide ante-natal, post-natal and early years care across the Bass Coast.
Acting Midwifery Unit Manager Amy Cameron said BCH’s Maternity team is cohesive, united by the shared goal of providing personal and woman-centred care.
“Each staff member, from student midwife to clinical director, is valued in their skill set and what they bring to the team. Staff are also supported to upskill so they can work in a broad range of scenarios,” she said.
BCH’s Maternal and Child Health Nurses are Registered Nurses and Midwives with Maternal and Child Health Nurse qualifications. They care for families with children from birth to school age.
Kathryn Anderson, Maternal and Child Health Nurse/Team Leader, said children receive key age and stage assessments of growth and development.
“We ensure children are meeting their developmental milestones and that families feel supported, and help them through the journey of raising a young child,” she said.
“This includes helping women with their post-natal recovery, adjusting to parenthood, and offering breastfeeding and maternal wellbeing support.”
To further provide social, educational and parenting help, mothers are connected to new mothers’ groups, young mothers’ groups and sleep settling groups.
The Maternal and Child Health team has offices in Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Bass Valley, Grantville, San Remo and Cowes, where they see clients by appointment. Home visits are offered for parents of newborn children.
MCH Nurse Danielle Thomas said, “I love my job because it allows me to make a real difference in people’s lives by providing family-centred care and support.
“I love working with and empowering the families in our community, and I am lucky enough to work with a team of passionate professionals.”
MCH client Emma Ton, who brings her one-year-old son Mason Fleming for check-ups and to receive advice, said the service she has received has been invaluable.
“It’s been quite reassuring to have the Maternal and Child Health Nurses guide me through motherhood for the first time,” she said.
To learn about Midwifery services at BCH, go to basscoasthealth.org.au/maternity-services and for Maternal and Child Health services, go to basscoasthealth.org.au/maternal-and-child-health