BRINGING a new life into the world is one of the most life-changing experiences a family can go through, and the journey is made that much smoother with the care and support of a midwife.
From the moment a woman discovers she’s pregnant to the first few weeks of motherhood, midwives are there, offering not just medical expertise but emotional reassurance and personal guidance.
At Swan Hill District Health, midwives provide education and care for women and families in all aspects of birthing and parenting.
Everyone’s journey is different and each experience deserves individual care and support, providing on-site services within our health service and now in clinics to outreach areas and the whole community.
Services include:
• Advice and care during your pregnancy
• Midwife clinics – various locations including Swan Hill, Sea Lake, MDAS Swan Hill and MDAS Kerang
• Support and assistance during labour and birthing
• Culturally sensitive care
• Liaison with obstetric team
• Parenting advice such as settling the newborn, nappy changing, bathing and breastfeeding
• Home visit(s) after discharge (domiciliary) as required
• 24-hour consult service up to six weeks postnatal
• Referral service to other agencies
• Newborn hearing screening
• Childbirth education
• Antenatal, birthing and early parenting support
• Providing collaborative antenatal care in the lead up to birthing elsewhere (if necessary)
The SHDH midwifery team is working hard to ensure that everyone in our community has the access to care that they deserve and if you are unable to get to them then they are making sure they can get to you – the SHDH midwifery has recently opened clinics in outreach communities such as Sea Lake and with Mallee District Aboriginal Services.
Midwife Ads is providing a fortnightly midwife clinic at Mallee Track in Sea Lake on alternate Wednesdays.
This clinic aims at providing midwifery care and support to mothers and babies in our outreach areas, providing the best care, closer to home for many.
Even if a woman is not planning to birth at SHDH, they are still able to access ante and post-natal care at the Sea Lake clinic.
To schedule an appointment with Ads, please contact the SHDH midwifery team on 5033 9269.
Midwife Jess is providing a weekly culturally sensitive midwife clinic, every Tuesday morning at MDAS in Kerang and every Tuesday afternoon at MDAS in Swan Hill.
These midwife appointments will honour culture, welcome new life and create a safe space to discuss health, reducing barriers to accessing healthcare.
Patients will receive culturally identified resources and information to assist them on their journey providing health information in relation to pregnancy, baby movements, breastfeeding, newborn care and general wellbeing of mum and bub.
Jess works closely with MDAS Aboriginal health care practitioner Tanisha, MDAS GP Dr Leo as well as SHDH obstetricians ensuring that women are well supported.
To book an appointment with Jess call MDAS Swan Hill on 5032 8600.
For all other midwifery unit enquiries, call the team on 5033 9269.
