Midwifery Group Practice a first for Pilbara

WA Country Health Service is providing more maternal and newborn care options through the launch of its award-winning Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model in Karratha.

The twelve-month trial will see women and families cared for by a known midwife throughout their pregnancy journey, during labour, birth, and postnatally – fostering a trusting relationship and enabling continuity of care.

Midwifery Group Practice models have been shown to lower postnatal depression rates, increase breastfeeding rates and lead to shorter lengths of stay in hospital.

WA Country Health Service said expanding the award-winning Midwifery Group Practice model in the Pilbara gives expectant women and families more choice.

“We know how important it is for women and their families to have options, and how vital an ongoing relationship with a midwife is to the pregnancy and postnatal experience.

“We’re committed to enabling specialised midwifery-led care and offering more choice to expectant families,” a spokesperson said.

As well as benefits to the community, the hardworking midwives will also gain invaluable experience providing holistic support from pregnancy to postnatal.

“The MGP in Karratha will see our highly skilled midwives work alongside obstetricians to provide a wraparound midwifery service,” they added.

It is expected the new Karratha MGP will support around 140 women throughout the pilot period.