New maternity scheme in Queensland

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDApr 11 2011

Queensland Health has introduced a new maternity scheme. The expecting mothers in Dysart, Middlemount, Moranbah, Clermont and Glenden shall now have a wider variety of options to choose from when it comes to choosing how their pregnancy be managed.

All in all the new mums would have four models to choose from. This shall help in informing couples about the various options they have available and to also comfort them with a little bit of extra care. The new scheme shall assign a midwife with the couple, one at their town and the other at the birth centre. The aim of the new scheme is to reduce stress from the shoulders of soon-to-be parents.

The new models include a local hospital known midwife and Mackay Birth Centre midwife for low-risk women, a local hospital doctor and hospital known midwife for all-risk women, a local private GP and known hospital midwife and a private obstetrician and practice midwife.

Rural Maternity Initiative project officer Sharon Sellers said the options were identified after a six-month consultation with medical professionals and community members. “There is a strong focus on continuity of care and giving women the opportunity to form a relationship with a known midwife for their whole pregnancy and birth,” she said. “If they have a known carer it helps develop trust and confidence throughout all phases of the birthing journey.” The use of tele-health and video-conferencing will also be encouraged to minimize travel to access specialist services. “This collaborative approach promotes partnerships with women, their families, midwives, medical officers and the community,” Ms Sellers said. Continuity of care is also encouraged by the introduction of a Pregnancy Health Record book that contains a complete record of the pregnancy and can be shared with any medical professional, whether this be the QAS, another midwife, social worker, dietitian or general practitioner she added.