Shoalhaven invited to share thoughts on birthing services

The event aims to give the community a chance to share their thoughts on how maternity and birthing services can be culturally and clinically safe, while improving standard birthing options. 

Birthing on Country is a collaboration between Waminda, the Australian College of Midwives, The University of Queensland and the University of Sydney. 

The first consultation will be held at Nowra Showground on Monday, August 28 from 1pm to 3pm.

It is open to all stakeholders, community members and Indigenous and non-Indigenous women. 

Feedback will guide the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander maternity services within the South East Coast area.

Waminda midwife Melanie Briggs said she’s hoping women and their families will help them identify what a Birthing on Country model would look like for the local area. 

She said the possibility of establishing a birthing centre in the local region, rather than a hospital, would be a priority. 

“We want to see if a birthing centre could be established here, outside of the hospital for low-risk, vaginal births,” Ms Briggs said. 

“I have so much respect for midwives at the hospital but there are a lot of situations in a traditional hospital setting that are just not culturally appropriate for Aboriginal women.

“There’s not one Aboriginal specific worker at the hospital and women often tell us they’re not listened to. It’s an invasive place for any woman. 

“A hospital is a medical centre, it’s frightening and it’s where people go when they’re sick. For a lot of our women, it’s where their family members have died and they’re going to have a baby there.” 

Restrictions on family time is another issue Ms Briggs said she often hears from women. After the birth of her own baby, 30 of her loved ones gathered to celebrate the special occasion. 

“Having a baby is about bringing family and the community together but hospitals don’t facilitate a family-friendly environment,” she said. 

“There’s no space where families can wait and there’s restrictions on time allowed together.”

Ms Briggs has been a practising midwife since 2010 and said increasing intervention and time restraints in birth places women under extra stress. 

“There’s obviously reasons why intervention needs to occur but we need to allow natural labour to occur when we can,” she said.

“Women need to feel safe and comfortable because fear just increases problems and the need for intervention.

“Having a safe birthing environment just makes sense.”

Ms Briggs said Waminda has long been a strong supporter for a birthing centre. 

It would be open for all Aboriginal women, babies and non-Aboriginal women and would cater for all prenatal appointments.

“All women should have a choice. When you get out in the community, you realise what women’s fears are and you realise the need to change the model,” Ms Briggs said. 

Community consultations will also be held in Coomaditchie, Albion Park, St Georges Basin, Orient Point, Wreck Bay, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay.

A team from The University of Queensland will identify common patterns and develop a plan around the issues raised. 

A funding grant will be presented to the federal government to fund the model. 

For more information contact Waminda on 4421 7400 or Melanie on 0438 431 430.

Further community consultations will be held until September 1: