News

Pregnancy in Partnership for Mildura

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 13:29:00

A program allowing women to come under the care of a designated midwife throughout pregnancy and birth has been launched by Mildura Base Hospital and Ramsay Health Care.

The Pregnancy in Partnership (PIP) program provides continuity in pregnancy care for women and their families and was introduced from July 1.
The program’s coordinator midwife Felicity Cummins said that each pregnant woman will have a primary PIP midwife who will aim to provide all of her pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care.
The Ramsay Specialist Clinic public antenatal service became available to all pregnant women in January 2014 and the PIP model of care has since evolved as an option. 
Ms Cummins said the PIP midwives aim to specifically tailor midwifery care to the individual needs of women and their families, in consultation and collaboration with Ramsay Specialist Clinic Obstetricians.
“During pregnancy a woman may have between nine and twelve consultations, so over that time the woman and her midwife get to know each other really well, building confidence and developing a trusting and positive relationship,” Ms Cummins said.
“Once a pregnant woman in the PIP program goes into labour, she calls her midwife, who then meets her at the hospital. That familiarity means a relaxed and comfortable admission to the birth suite which we know is a valuable component to progression in labour.”
PIP midwives will then care for woman and their babies in the days after birth, both in hospital and by visiting them in their own homes.
Midwives Debbie Currie and Bernadette Gardner have been appointed to establish the PIP program, with another two to join the team in October.
Ms Cummins said similar programs are successful elsewhere, but this is a first for Mildura.  The PIP program had evolved as a response from women requesting the same caregiver throughout their pregnancy and birth and from Mildura Base Hospital Midwives wanting to provide this choice to birthing women. 
“Four midwives working in this model will allow us to care for approximately 14 percent of the births at MBH,” Ms Cummins said.
“That equates to 144 women over 12 months who are assessed to be low-risk, without additional health or medical concerns.
“Debbie and Bernadette absolutely love their jobs and they’re really excited about taking it to the next level.  Getting to know the women and their families well, being with them through their pregnancy journey, then supporting them through the birth of their new baby is often what job satisfaction is about as a midwife, and we’re all really excited to be part of the program.”
MBH Director of Nursing Simone Heald said Felicity had been the driving force behind introducing the PIP program.
“She has worked tirelessly and passionately, and had it not been for her continual drive, it would not have come to fruition. She is a very determined woman, and this program is a significant achievement,” Ms Heald said.