Work by midwives and fellow healthcare professionals in southern NSW has earned them international accreditation. Photo: Kim Treasure.
Like every parent, Bronte Balodis wanted the best start for her kids.
She gave birth to her twins in March in Canberra and received pregnancy and postnatal care at Bega Hospital after returning to the coast.
It meant her care included visits to her home and being able to chat to the same medical team about her concerns.
She said getting to know her midwife meant she could focus on “connecting with and nourishing” her kids.
“I’m not in a sterile room, exposing myself … I’m very comfortable at home, in my own environment with someone I trust,” she said.
“Building that prior relationship definitely made a huge difference to my experience.”
The five birthing hospitals across the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) were recently recognised with the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI).
The accreditation program recognises hospitals and health services that offer unbiased information, appropriate support and factual advice during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
The BFHI is a global program backed by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF. In Australia, accreditation is administered by the Australian College of Midwives.
To receive it, a facility must meet 10 standards about how its policies and healthcare professionals approach maternal care and successful breastfeeding guidance.
SNSWLHD Acting District Midwifery Manager Hannah Bird said it took “a good two years” of behind-the-scenes work to receive it.
“It’s a huge achievement. It comes down to all of the five maternity teams [at the district’s birthing hospitals] coming together, really focusing on education and putting in a great deal of work to make sure that we’re meeting the standards,” she said.
The standards include ensuring skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, helping women make informed choices about breastfeeding and supporting them through any difficulties they face after giving birth.
She said the BFHI also called on a “whole of hospital” approach for parents and their kids, with other medical professionals able to support them.
“If any woman came into a hospital and needed some support or guidance around breastfeeding, anyone they asked should be able to point her in the right direction for the right information [in the BFHI],” she said.
“It’s about having staff who have access to education to support their confidence and competence in working with breastfeeding women.”
Ms Bird said that while the district had received the BFHI, their goal remained to make sure women were “empowered and supported to do what’s best for them” in feeding their babies.
“[They can come to us for] unbiased support for all women, irrespective of how they choose to feed their babies,” she said.
The BFHI is based on 10 standards of maternal care to help mums make informed decisions. Photo: Region.
Malua Bay mum Lucy Cartwright said the SNSWLHD midwives were on hand to chat after she recently gave birth.
“They’re all really encouraging,” she said.
“There were a lot of resources available for help with breastfeeding … they had people come in and visit the hospital to help you with any assistance you needed with it.”
SNSWLHD is the first Local Health District in NSW, and second in Australia, to achieve this gold standard for maternity care.
NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said the accreditation recognised the work of healthcare workers.
“This accreditation speaks volumes about the maternity care being delivered at Southern NSW Local Health District but also across the wider NSW health system,” he said.
“NSW Health is dedicated to safe, informed and compassionate maternity care for all women and their babies and I want to thank the hardworking staff, clinicians and leaders involved – your efforts are supporting families from the very start.”
Southern NSW LHD is now working towards extending the BFHI principles to its Community Health facilities.
