Mums welcome midwifery program

MOTHERS have lauded a new maternity care model that has been introduced at Dhelkaya Health.

The Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) continuity of carer scheme in Castlemaine has also been labelled as ‘gold standard’ by La Trobe University Bendigo experts.

The MGP model provides personalised support and enables a woman to be cared for by the same or a backup midwife throughout their entire pregnancy, labour and birth, and postnatal experience.

Its introduction came amid a decline of more than 200 birthing suites in rural and remote locations over the past 20 years, with only about an estimated 19 per cent of Australia’s population having access to the MGP method of care.

In May 2020, Dhelkaya Health (formerly Castlemaine Health) suspended its maternity service following an extensive review and amid concerns that midwives were not using their full scope of practice under the hospital’s GP obstetric-led model.

The one-year closure resulted in a review recommendation that an MGP model be developed. The maternity ward reopened in May 2021, and recorded its first birth early the next month.

Researchers from La Trobe University’s Judith Lumley Centre evaluated the first 12 months of the MGP operation, and have now come back with positive findings.

One of the study participants reported the birth of their first child elsewhere was “very impersonal” but felt the the opposite about their experience at Dhelkaya Health.

“I felt as though my midwife took the time to get to know me and my family, took the time to discuss any concerns and respected my decisions and preferences,” the study participant said.

Lead researcher Dr Laura Whitburn said women’s experiences were “overwhelmingly positive” when they described the impact the model had on them, their birthing experience, the transition to motherhood and their families.

“The success is a testament to this service and how important continuity of care is for women and their birth experience,” Dr Whitburn said.

The experiences of 44 women – including 22 who gave birth at Dhelkaya Health, 18 who were transferred to give birth at Bendigo Health, and two who gave birth before arrival – were evaluated, from the service’s reopening until May 2022.

Dhelkaya Health maternity unit manager April Jardine said the organisation placed a high value on feedback and experiences of the women who participated.

“We collect ongoing data through a maternity consumer survey, with the results used to guide and shape the service to meet evolving community needs,” Ms Jardine said.

Based on the Castlemaine experience, health services at Maryborough and Cohuna have developed similar models.