Midwives bring Positive Birth Program to Bridgetown and Manjimup to support expecting country families

Bridgetown and Manjimup midwives will be offering expectant mothers a “positive” birthing experience through an innovative program set to launch this month. WA Country Health Service’s Warren Health Service is launching the Positive Birth Program for expectant Bridgetown and Manjimup families from mid-September. The initiative helps families in regional areas prepare for birth. WACHS South West executive director Kerry Winsor said antenatal education programs had a proven track record of success which “can positively impact every birth”. “We know that providing access to quality antenatal education programs can help to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of mums, bubs and families,” she said. “Feeling calm, relaxed and empowered is incredibly important. “Our Positive Birth Program facilitators and midwifery teams take great pride in supporting families to welcome their bubs into the world and they are looking forward to extending that support to the Manjimup-Bridgetown community. “Warren Health Service delivers high-quality care to Bridgetown and Manjimup communities and the addition of this program is a proactive step in providing expectant families with more knowledge to prepare for their birth.” Manjimup and Bridgetown are the ninth regional areas to run the program, which is also available via telehealth. The program was launched in February 2019, with Bunbury Hospital one of the first public hospitals in Australia to offer the free program. Since implementation, families have provided feedback to WACHS about “feeling more prepared” and empowered to communicate openly with their healthcare teams, Ms Winsor said. “We know that when women and their birthing partners feel prepared for birth, it allows them to feel more relaxed and present during labour,” she said. Classes will be hosted over weekend in the lead up to birth and covers topics such as natural birth, assisted birth and caesarean section as well as breathing and deep relaxation techniques, care-planning for labour and breastfeeding. Warren Health Service midwife Erica Claydon said she was looking forward to delivering face-to-face classes to expectant mothers and their birth partners. “Going into a birth feeling prepared and supported is so important and I’m pleased to be delivering the tools our mums need to navigate their birthing journey,” she said.