Senior Nursing and Midwifery Advisor at the Australian Government Department of Health, Karen Cook said the consultation process showed a consistent theme being voiced by every woman and that was women want continuity of care with the same midwife.

“They don’t want to see a different person at every antenatal appointment and tell their story yet again then get into the birthing room and be surrounded by a sea of faces they have never seen before,” Ms Cook said.

“A relationship of trust needs to be built with the people caring for the expectant mother. In your region you have individuals at the service delivery level who are dynamic and committed to making changes.”

In Mount Isa and surrounds there are three models of Midwifery care.

They are the GP shared care model, a midwifery caseload model and the Obstetrician care.

“The fact that Mount Isa has these modalities is really good and offers choices,” she said.

Caseload Midwife for Mount Isa Sophie Walker said we engaged with community members about what options we currently have in terms of Midwifery care.

“Mostly we wanted everyone’s opinion on what they want from us for their care such as the use of the birthing pool and how they want us to move forward.”

“It's a great way of gathering evidence to prove what we are doing is correct or what we need to improve on,” Ms Walker said.

The Mount Isa birthing pool suite is used for water immersion in active labour, not to give birth in and has been ready for use by women for pain relief since April 2018. 

“It’s a great option for women in active labour. I have had three ladies use the birthing pool who have been in my care. The latest expectant Mum to use the pool was just last week,” Ms Walker said.

The pool helps to relieve active labour symptoms by taking the weight off the woman’s hips and tummy area when a contraction comes making the experience tolerable to breath through. 

“It helps you relax and feel more comfortable and calm. Essentially the water therapy makes you feel weightless, kind of like when you’re swimming – you feel weightless.”

“Once the woman is fully dilated or looking like they want to push they get out.

“Some ladies get out and hop on a beanbag, or on the floor, some like to squat, some like to get on the bed. But really you can be in any position that feels comfortable. There are plenty of options even a shower within the birthing suite,” she said.

An independent midwife working in the region of Doomadgee and Mornington Island said about 40 babies were born between the two communities last year.

“The model I feel works is having extra skills to help women, so I undertook an ultrasound course to be competent in dating scans; to get an idea how far along each women was and to decide when they need to come to Mount Isa for birthing,” she said.

“The main thing for me is the trust and the continuity of care and by going to these communities every week, I engage the women and their partners while we work towards Birthing on Country.”

Birthing on Country is about women being able to give birth closer to home.

“Not having to travel large distances and be dislocated from their families for extended periods of time in order to have a baby can be a very emotionally draining experience.

“Birth on Country is a culturally safe practice which highlights the needs of the women. It's about the support of family and the feeling of safety, and comfort whilst giving birth,” she said.

Ms Walker said after all the information had been collected from the forum they will have advisory meetings with the higher management of the hospital, the board, and funding bodies and policy departments.