"Water Birth"

Dear indigoek75

Thank you for sharing your story with us about the positive water birth experience you had at King Edward Birthing Centre. Our midwives are highly experienced and many have undertaken the training necessary to support water birthing however, the physical space and infrastructure of the birth suites in our hospitals, is not currently at a standard that would ensure your safety or that of our staff - and safety is of paramount importance to us. The remodelling of our birthing suites in the region to accommodate safe water birthing as per policy is on our infrastructure priority list, however there are no immediate plans for modifications given the many competing priorities at present. I remain fully committed to supporting the preferences of birthing mothers however and helping our exceptional midwives to provide their clients an exemplary obstetric service.

I am sorry the birthing suite modifications required to ensure safety won’t happen in time for the birth of your second baby. I extend my very best wishes to you and your family at this special time. Please do feel free to contact me personally if you would like to discuss this further via phone 08) 9195 2450 or via email carmen.morgan@heath.wa.gov.au.

Kind regards

Carmen Morgan

Dear indigoek75

You are quite correct, the maternity unit at Broome Hospital does have 2 inflatable pools; however the design of the delivery suite rooms was never intended to accommodate a filled pool in the space available and therefore does not fully comply with WA Health Department policy. Of utmost importance to us is safe extraction from the pool of a mother in any emergency. Such a situation requires the response of multiple emergency personnel, plus equipment. With a filled pool to negotiate in the room as well, I’m sure you can appreciate how problematic the provision of life-saving measures becomes. We are aware of how important having a water birthing option is to the community, yours is not an isolated story and we are listening. We are just not willing however, to support a water birthing arrangement that is not fully compliant or as safe as possible.

We are in the process of reviewing our options for the redesign of the Broome delivery suite in order to safely accommodate water births. You are right it will take time however it is a priority for us. I will ensure I keep you informed of our progress.

Kind regards,

Carmen Morgan

Dear indigoek75

We're thrilled to announce that we now offer water immersion as an option for our expecting mothers. Our refurbished birth suites now have water immersion capacity. A beautiful bath and double head showers in bathrooms. They’ve already been used by a number of women and their newborns. Your feedback has been instrumental in bringing about this remarkable change and enabled a more contemporary approach to labour and birth care at our hospital.

This positive change is a testament to the power of patient voices in shaping our healthcare services. Your advocacy for water immersion as a birthing option will undoubtedly continue to benefit many future mothers who choose to give birth at our hospital.

We appreciate your contribution to making our maternity care more contemporary and woman-centred. You have helped us improve the birthing experience for our community – thank you.

Warm regards,

Millie Stewart

A/Operations Manager

Broome Hospital – WACHS Kimberley