Bass Coast Health (BCH) is proud to celebrate the amazing role our Midwives play in caring for families on International Day of the Midwife, Sunday 5 May.
Our Midwives care for families during the ante-natal, birth, post-natal and early years periods, in the Maternity Ward at Wonthaggi Hospital and also in the community as Maternal and Child Health Nurses.
BCH Midwifery Unit Manager Relle McMillin said the day recognises the uniqueness of what a Midwife does.
“We are present for the most fundamental changes for a woman and her family as she transitions into parenthood,” she said.
“The vulnerability and trust women place in their Midwives to guide them through this process, keep them safe and support them to birth their babies is indescribable. It is an honour to walk this path with each family, with every family and birth teaching you and leaving a footprint in your memory.
“This day I get to celebrate those that have come before me: my colleagues, and the students and junior practitioners.”
BCH offers three modern birthing suites and four post-natal beds at Wonthaggi Hospital, as well as providing ante-natal and post-natal care and early years care across the Bass Coast.
The BCH Maternity leadership team has placed a huge focus on recruitment and in the past 15 months, has recruited 13 new staff.
“Our recruitment videos on our social media captured the heart and passion of BCH Midwives which provided the basis of the drive to recruit Midwives by showcasing our team to Midwives in the wider community, across Victoria and even interstate,” Relle said.
“The Maternity team is a cohesive unit with the shared goal of providing safe, individualised and woman-centred care to the women of our region. This unifies the team and provides all members with assurance in their colleagues. Each staff member, from student midwife to our clinical director, is valued in their skill set and what they bring to the team.
“We’re also prioritising the upskilling or reskilling of all Midwives to enable Midwives to work to their full scope of practice. We are inclusive, flexible and supportive of one another, all while having fun.”
Our Midwives also support two Bachelor of Midwifery Graduates, Bec Adams and Paige Wainwright, Double Degree Graduate Elin Murray, Postgraduate Midwife Kyra Celebrine, Second Year Postgraduate student Shawnte Smith and First Year Postgraduate student Jane Clarkson.
“The BCH Maternity Department is committed to growing our own workforce as well as recruiting more experienced staff,” Relle said.
“All graduates and students have been assigned a preceptor (a senior Midwife) to give them guidance and support. We are committed to supporting the Midwives to have long and successful Midwifery careers, with autonomy and confidence in their clinical skills and women centred-approach.”
Our Maternal and Child Health nurses are Registered Nurses and Midwives, with Maternal and Child Health Nurse qualifications, who work with families from birth to school age.
Families are invited to bring their children into our centres to have assessments at 2 weeks and 4 years.
“These appointments are referred to as key age and stage assessments, and include an assessment for growth and development as well as parental and family support as needed, specific to age,” Kathryn Anderson, Maternal and Child Health Nurse/Team Leader, said.
“We assess children to check that they’re meeting their developmental milestones and families feel supported.”
As Midwives, the MCH Nurses also help women with their postnatal recovery and adjustment to parenthood, and offer breastfeeding and maternal wellbeing support.
They also link mothers in with new mums’ groups, young mums’ groups and sleep settling groups to provide social, educational and parenting support.
The MCH team has offices in Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Bass Valley, Grantville, San Remo and Cowes, where they see clients by appointment and offer home visits for the newborn and provide outreach as part of the program.
MCH client Natasha Zavan brings her daughter Rayah to the Wonthaggi centre.
“The MCH service is really thorough, lovely and observant. They understand and they’re definitely helpful, that’s for sure,” she said.
“It’s women supporting women. We’ve been happy.”
If you’re a Midwife looking for a change, please express your interest by emailing hr@basscoasthealth.org.au