In the June WEL-Informed, we reported on the NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry, which highlighted the short falls of our maternity system when it comes to the psychological, emotional and cultural safety of Australian mothers, particularly First Nations mothers and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

On 15 August, Kristyn Begnell from WEL NCC attended the Parliamentary Friends for Maternal Health event on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples in Canberra titled ‘Improving Outcomes for First Nations Mothers and Babies in Australia’. The group is co-chaired by MPs Alicia Payne, Llew O’Brien and Dr Helen Haines. It provides opportunities for government and non-government organisations to meet with parliamentarians to raise awareness of issues that affect women during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. This was the third event the group has held since September last year and it was well attended by consumer advocacy groups, MPs and MP advisors.

Professor Helen McLachlan spoke about the amazing outcomes of the Baggarrook Yurrongi program, which provides culturally safe maternity care to First Nations mothers and babies at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne. She highlighted the cost effectiveness of the program and shared testimonials from some of the women who gave birth through Baggarrook. [Aboriginal midwife program works to close the gap in infant mortality and birth complications - ABC News]

We also heard from Aunty Gina Bundle, a Yuin/Monaro woman and the Program Coordinator of ‘Badjurr-Bulok Wilam’ – meaning ‘Home of many women’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri Peoples – at the Royal Women’s Hospital. We learned about what First Nations mothers valued the most about the care, with ‘Privacy and Confidentiality’ ranking highest at 98%.

The take-home point from the event was that when First Nations women have continuity of care with a known midwife and where hospital staff are trained in cultural safety, the outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies can be drastically improved. The Baggarrook program has been a huge success, and we encourage the replication of this model across the country to help close the gap for First Nations people.