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Care Opinion

Birth of my first baby

Posted By Happy-go-lucky

"Birth of my first baby"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Maternity

(as the patient),

I had my baby at Bunbury regional hospital, the midwives were simply amazing during my labour and delivery! I completed WACHS' hypono birthing program prior to my birth and it helped me 100% I truly believe it should be available to everyone! 

I am however disappointed that there isn't a lactation nurse avaliable on the ward to help, I have struggled with breast feeding immensely and I was not shown how to properly breast feed and was discharged without being able to feed my baby correctly... this caused extreme anxiety and I ended up being re admitted into Busselton hospital for further help with feeding. If you had a lactation nurse available to mums on the wards it would help so so much! It is such a vital part of having a baby and I'm shocked it isn't, as I understand it, something that is available in WACHS hospitals.

I was referred to a lactation nurse however via telehealth! To me, it is impossible to have a consultation with someone regarding breast feeding over a computer or phone! You need the nurse there to physically help you latch baby properly and visualise what's going on. Maybe this is why so many women give up breast feeding and end up bottle feeding because they haven't been shown properly and there is no support for them. 

I am fortunate that I had sourced my own private lactation nurse for help. 

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Responses

Response from Katrina Jones, Clinical Midwifery Manager, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS South West nearly 2 years ago
Katrina Jones
Clinical Midwifery Manager, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS South West

(08) 9722 1348

Submitted on 9/06/2022 at 6:51 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 10/06/2022 at 8:45 AM

picture of Katrina Jones

Dear Happy-go-lucky,

Thankyou for taking the time to provide your feedback around your recent experience at Bunbury Hospital. I am pleased that you found the antenatal classes to be of great benefit, and I am certain that the strategies you learnt during the program will continue to be of use as you navigate having a newborn.

I am sorry that we weren't as supported with the establishment of your breastfeeding. I agree that access to a lactation consultant is an essential service, and the development and implementation of the LC telehealth service is aimed at closing some of the identified gap. It has been incredibly successful, however it is only one step in improving breastfeeding services. As you have identified, face to face support and education is ideal.

The introduction of a lactation consultant into the Midwifery team is being explored as part of the redevelopment of the Bunbury hospital. It will be a positive change for both the unit and the woman and babies we provide care for.

Thankyou again for your feedback and I wish you well with your parenting journey.

Katrina

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