"Excellent care at the Health Campus, however needs continuity of care model!"

I had a beautiful experience at Albany Health Campus for the birth of my first child. 

The hospital runs almost a GP shared care model, whereby I saw my GP-Obstetrician for the duration of my pregnancy every month, as well as midwives from 20 weeks. My GP/O attended my labour in the final stages, and was called for advice from the midwife team. I loved that my doctor knew my wishes and was able to guide my care based on the months of getting to know one another for the duration of the pregnancy. The midwife care was excellent as well.

I was well cared for during my antenatal visits, and I was particularly lucky with my midwives in my labour. Both of my midwives were pivotal in both the success of my labour, as well as the post partum care on the ward. I could not believe how above and beyond my midwives went and I am eternally grateful for their time they gave me, my husband and my baby.

My baby was at risk of having to be transferred to Perth for further treatment post birth, and the team communicated all of this to me so that I was well informed throughout the entire process. Luckily we were able to stay in Albany, just requiring the special care nursery and the paediatrician team. I am so lucky that all of these services were accessible to me in a regional setting!

The only wish I would have is a Continuity of Care Model for midwives. I think that to have regular appointments with the same midwife, with the same midwife attending the labour would be a game changer for Albany. I truly believe health outcomes for both Mum and baby would be improved with the continuity of care model.

I was lucky to have one appointment with a midwife who also attended my labour, and so this midwife was able to have a small understanding of who I was as a person, and some of my wishes. I can only imagine what that might look like with ongoing appointments with the same midwife. I am so excited to have another baby at Albany Health Campus one day, but please bring this model to our amazing midwifery service.