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Care Opinion

Labour and birth

Posted By homamrz46

"Labour and birth"

About: Armadale Hospital / Birth Suite (and Antenatal Assessment Unit)

(as the patient),

Recently, I presented to Armadale hospital maternity ward in labour with my baby after planning a Homebirth. I ended up needing a caesarean which was conducted. I was then discharged the following day. In the time I spent in the labour ward and delivery ward I can not fault any of the midwives and their kindness and services. Honestly a step in the right direction for pregnancy and birthing woman.

The issue I have is that I’ve had a private midwife and student midwife with me throughout my pregnancy journey and when I went in Armadale Hospital my private midwife was not allowed in but my partner and student midwife could be. This was not only stressful in an already stressful situation but I feel it was totally unnecessary. They were one of my major supports and someone I felt completely comfortable with and I couldn’t have them with me through my experience.

Private midwives are a huge part of someone’s journey and I feel they have the right to be there when things don’t go to plan for someone’s birthing journey. They weren’t even allowed in to visit me afterward at the same time as my partner. I was super grateful to a staff member that let them come in despite the policy your hospital holds. In my opinion, a support system at times of birth are way too underrated and I believe your policies need to be reassessed.

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Responses

Response from Neil Cowan, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group, EMHS nearly 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Neil Cowan
Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group,
EMHS

Submitted on 11/08/2022 at 11:28 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:01 PM

picture of Neil Cowan

Dear homamrz46,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story about your experience whilst giving birth at Armadale Health Service (AHS). Feedback such as yours enables Armadale Kalamunda Group (AKG) to reflect on its service which is especially important when COVID-19 restrictions impact so directly on continuity of care, which I recognise is very important on an occasion so special as a birth of a baby.

I am so pleased to hear that you received such a great standard of patient-centered care and kindness on your unexpected health care journey at AHS. I fully understand how stressful the situation must have been when your birth journey did not go to plan. I have already shared your story with the team and know they will be delighted to hear that they were able to provide care that supported and empowered you on your unique journey.

The AHS midwifery team supports women’s choice and acknowledges the importance to have a birth plan which can include having a private practicing midwife support through pregnancy and birth. I am very sorry your private midwife was not able to attend and recognise the stress this caused you.

The current COVID-19 restrictions in place are to reduce the number of people attending hospital. This does unfortunately mean that you were only able to have one support person in the labour ward. However, with COVID-19 numbers reducing, WA Health is reducing some restrictions on visiting hours from Monday 15 August.

I was grateful that you were able to have your student midwife in attendance. Student midwives are an important part of the workforce and are not considered visitors.

The current visitor restrictions after the birth do allow for 2 visitors at a time, during visiting hours. I am very sorry it was not communicated properly to you, but I am grateful that they were allowed in despite this miscommunication.

I do hope that you are recovering well at home and that you can accept my apology for the fact that your private midwife was not able to share the experience with you to support you both during and after the birth.

Kind Regards,

Neil Cowan

A/Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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