Midwifery Forum to discuss importance of continuity of care

Continuity of care in midwifery will be one of the main topics of discussion during Southern Cross University’s Midwifery Forum 2013 at the Gold Coast campus on Thursday, November 7.

The forum is open to all midwives and is important to women and families because of the innovations that will be discussed during the event.

One of those innovations is new models of midwifery care including continuity of care with a privately practising midwife.

“Continuity of care is so important for a mother, baby and the midwife,” Professor of Midwifery Kathleen Fahy said.

“These new models are starting to have effect in northern NSW and south-east Queensland as more privately practising midwives are given admission rights to hospitals. This is the case for the Gold Coast and other Queensland Hospitals. It’s a common practice overseas.

“Queensland and NSW Health are behind these flexible models of care because they are popular with women, provide improved birth and satisfaction outcomes and are cost-effective.”

Models of continuity of care include midwives working with a mother from early in the pregnancy to six weeks postpartum. The midwives also regularly consult with other care providers such as doctors.

Research findings in midwifery will also be discussed including how to increase rates of breastfeeding to six months after birth; how to minimise risk for women who are obese in pregnancy; reducing haemorrhage after birth by promoting skin to skin contact and breastfeeding at birth; and preventing genital tract trauma during birth.

Other topics on the agenda are boosting Indigenous midwifery student success at university and a case study of the Mullumbimby community midwives program and its first year of state-funded home births.

There will be a number of keynote speakers on the day which starts from 9.30am (Qld) and concludes at 5pm (Qld). There is also a pre-networking event on Wednesday, November 6, at the Currumbin RSL.

For further information or to register contact Carla Robinson on 07 5589 3231 or via email on carla.robinson@scu.edu.au

Photo: Professor of Midwifery Kathleen Fahy.