Virtual ante-natal and post-natal services helping new mothers across country WA

WA Country Health Service has established a range of programs which support new and expectant country mums and bubs, including the innovative Positive Birth Program.

Operating for more than three years, the program focuses on empowering expectant country mothers and their families with evidence based educational information on best practice complementary therapies such as breathing and relaxation techniques, acupressure, body movement and physio support during the birth process.

WA Country Health Service nursing and midwifery Project Lead Tarryn Sharp said there’s been overwhelmingly positive feedback from consumers and clinicians.

“We also offer our popular Telehealth Lactation Service which supports hundreds of new mums every year as they start and maintain healthy and positive breastfeeding with their newborn,” Tarryn said.

“With support ranging from general breastfeeding confidence building to assessing specific concerns such as ways to increase milk supply, we are here to support new country mums every step of the way.

“I’m proud to report that nearly 90 per cent of mums accessing the Telehealth Lactation Service said they received the support and information they needed and 88 per cent said they would recommend the service to others.”

In 2023-24, WA Country Health Service supported more than 37,000 outpatient appointments via telehealth, saving patients thousands of kilometres of travel.