Waminda and Illawarra Shoalhaven Health sign Statement of Commitment

The long-awaited meeting is a commitment to work in a strong partnership for the best start to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families in the region.

This has been an ongoing vision of both organisations - and is a step towards a purpose-built freestanding birth centre providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with a culturally safe place to give birth on the South Coast.

Leader of the Birthing on Country project, Melanie Briggs, is the first Aboriginal woman in NSW to be a fully endorsed midwife.

She said the Birthing on Country model didn't just support women and babies but brought together families and communities.

"It's maternity care to women in the community, in hospital, birth and post-natal care," she said.

"We're taking back ownership of maternity care for Aboriginal women and strengthening families."

She said the commitment between the two organisations was an acknowledgement that Aboriginal people know what's best for their community.

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"Hospitals look after people who are sick, they don't stop people getting sick," she said.

"That's why we come in and look after our mob in community on country.

"This agreement is an acknowledgement that we know what's best for our community."

In addition to supporting women, babies and families, the program aims to decrease the number of pre-term births and low-weight births.

"We want to have chunky babies born after 27 weeks," Ms Briggs said.

"I tell all our mums they're not allowed to have their babies before 37 weeks, and the babies usually listen."

Providing a place women feel safe, respected and supported helps deliver those outcomes.

Embedding culture into the experience of pregnancy is fundamental to the program.

Local mum Serenity Mackay said she found the Birthing on Country experience invaluable.

As a young, first-time mum, she said she felt overwhelmed at the beginning of her pregnancy.

By the end, she felt empowered and confident.

"Mel really advocated for me," she said.

"Because my family is part of the Stolen Generations I really wanted my children to be as connected to country as possible, and this was the first step.

"We had a smoking ceremony after I had bub [Talekai] and welcomed a baby to country.

"It was magical, so special. You don't expect children to understand but when it happens all the babies are silent and paying attention, you can feel the energy."

Researcher Penny Haora said evidence shows the Birthing on Country model leads to better outcomes for women and babies.

Ms Haora is part of a research team evaluating the experiences of mothers who are part of the program, as well as birth outcomes.

"This type of care can reduce pre-term birth rate by 50 per cent," she said.

"The evidence is there to support it but it hasn't happened before in NSW - it's an amazing achievement."