"Maternity and birth"

I was planning to give birth in Kununurra and considering there is seemingly a high rate of staff turn over i was pretty thrilled that I was able to receive maternity care from the same Dr and Midwife as much as possible with my scheduled check ups. I wasn't expecting this and it was a lovely surprise. I also loved having access to the midwives directly via phone. This helped me feel more able to seek help when needed and made me feel like support was easy and i think was reason why my birth did not result in additional complications as I was more inclined to reach out for help.

I was told there were free to hire TENS machines from the hospital physio which is a helpful tool however the Elle Tens I feel is much better. I was also told there was no option of water birth which, at the time, I wasnt phased with as I had expected, because I was very remote I was 'lucky' to have what was avalible. -an opinion i have since changed and feel too many others also simply 'accept' what is ultimately reduced care support due to remote living.

Due to some complications I was told I had to deliver in Broome. It was here I realised Kununurra really was quite far behind in their care options, in my opinion. Pros and cons to both hospitals obviously but in Broome, water birth was a possibly, I was excited about the added option to support an un-medicated birth and realised how beneficial just from a psychological standpoint knowing 'i could' was. It showed me it wasnt that I didnt want a water birth but I had never entertained the idea as I thought it was not possible and in actual fact given the numerous benefits I would have preferred this option from the start.

Additionally, while the Kununurra birth rooms are clean and bright seeing Broome's rooms made me appreciate how clinical Kununurra still is. I feel there is nothing 'homey' or inviting about the rooms and women very much have to use their imagination to make the Kununurra birth rooms a relaxing place to be. A calming colour other than white, a less medical looking bed and a space to keep the emergency resus cot a little more discreet would go a long way for a start.

Furthermore, given my preference would have been to birth in Kununurra. Having access to more modern monitoring equipment such as wireless monitors would be incredible to support women in feeling free to move around and have an active birth which is proven to reduce the need for intervention. This was something I had available in Broome and really helped me in feeling I could position how I needed and move without hassle.

As for my time in Broome, all in all it was pretty good as outlined more or less above. More specifically the midwives, Violet, Mel, Pam and a few others who I cant recall their names were lovely and helped the urgent complication of my birth be calm and even enjoyable. Also the nurses on the PEads ward were some of the nicest people I've met. 

From a support person point of view, my husband had the ability to drive over to allow for transport for the week we were going to be in Broome and it made me realise how incomplete the PATS System is. If he was not able to drive as he was not allowed to stay in the hospital then coming support me would have been difficult and expensive as he would need to utalise addition resources such as taxis to come and go from the accommodation. Whilst greatfull my flight was covered and his would have been too if he flew, assisting the partner in getting to and from the hospital once in the region (and travel to buy food) needs to be looked at.

The Broome hospital did not have a direct phone to midwifery which, while I didn't need, I found myself being more anxious that support wasn't as immediate and direct as Kununurra, highlighting just how reasurring the phone line in Kununurra is. 

And lastly, while I sadly understand why my husband couldn't stay with me pre birth. The hospital did not allow me to remain a patient but come in for the day and go to our private accommodation over night dispite both baby and I being medically stable. And, There was never an attempt untill 3 days later when I was finally moved to a private room on the peads ward for him to stay with me in hospital. I did ask several times for either arrangement however was declined untill it was no longer needed and I was discharged. Being in a room with 3 other women for a whole week without my husband in the evenings took its toll mentaly and it was unfair for him to not be with his wife and baby as well. Another change that would have improved my experience drastically.

While there is much good about Kununurra and they have things i would have preferred over Broome such as a smaller midwife team, better food and an increased likelihood of a private room (or at least not sharing with 3 other people), my experience in Broome has left me a little disheartened that other rural hospitals have been able to achieve steps to support women and their choices to assist their birth. I have now been shown rural living should not reduce quality of care rather it has the unique potential to if anything, be more supportive than metropolitan settings.