Maternity
Midwifery Group Practice Contact Details:
Phone: 0417 598 491
Email: [email protected]
Are you having a baby?
Cohuna District Hospital has been caring for women and their families for more than 80 years.
Recently, we decided to change the way we deliver maternity care and work on something new.
With help from our community, our midwives and other regional health services we’re redesigning our maternity service to meet the needs of Cohuna women and families well into the future.
The redesigned maternity service will launch in stages from early 2022.
This short, animated video explains it all
If you are pregnant now
Cohuna District Hospital is currently a Level 1 maternity service. We offer local pregnancy and early parenting care for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies. A level 1 maternity service is defined as a non birthing service.
If you live in our region and you have a low-risk pregnancy, our team of midwives can care for you:
- During your pregnancy
- At home after you have your baby
We also offer birthing classes for you and your support people three times a year.
As a Level 1 service we are unable to care for you during labour and birth. That means you cannot have your baby at Cohuna District Hospital. Instead, we work with other health services in our region to provide a range of birth options based on your choices, your health and your baby’s health.
We work with:
Pregnancy care
At Cohuna District Hospital we offer shared care for women with low-risk pregnancies. That means you will have some of your pregnancy care appointments with our midwives at our Midwifery Clinic and some with your GP.
The Midwifery Clinic is open every Monday from 8.30am – 4pm by appointment. Our midwives will arrange your appointments with you.
When you come to the Midwifery Clinic you’ll get to know our small team of midwives really well. They’ll work together to care for you and support you. They will also work with your GP, your birthing hospital, and any other services you might need.
It’s a warm and friendly place and other children and partners are welcome to come along.
Early parenting/home care
One of our midwives can visit you at home after your baby is born. The number of visits will depend on your needs and your baby’s needs.
You’ll be able to talk about how you’re feeling and how you’re settling into parenthood. They’ll help with feeding and sleeping and check on your baby’s growth and development. If you or your baby need extra help or support they’ll be able to arrange that too.
When your home care finishes our midwives will connect you with your local Maternal and Child Health Service. This is a free service offered through local councils for children from birth to school age.
ACM Conference Presentation References:
ACM Poster: click here to view
References:
1. Faulks F, Shafiei T, McLachlan H, Forster D, Mogren I, Copnell B, et al. Perinatal outcomes of socially disadvantaged women in Australia: A population-based retrospective cohort study. BJOG. 2023.
2. Sandall J, Soltani H, Gates S, Shennan A, Devane D. Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD004667.
3. Cohuna District Hospital. Operational Model of Care. Cohuna District Hospital; 2021 [cited 2023 June 21].
4. COAG Health Council. Woman-centred care. Strategic directions for Australian Maternity services [Internet]. Canberra: Department of Health; 2019 [cited 2023 June 21]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2019/11/woman-centred-care-strategic-directions-for-australian-maternity-services.pdf
5. Loddon Gannawarra Health Services Executive Network (LGHSEN) Members. Loddon Gannawarra Health needs analysis. Department of Health and Human Services – Loddon Mallee Region; 2017 [cited 2023 June 21]. Available from: https://www.kdh.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1The-Loddon-Gannawarra-Health-Needs-Analysis.pdf
6. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2021 Census Community Profiles [Internet]. Australian Bureau of Statistics; 2021 [cited 2023 June 21]. Available from: 2021 3568, VIC, Census Community Profiles | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)
7. Care Opinion Australia. Care opinion Cohuna [Internet]. Care Opinion Australia; 2023 [cited 2023 June 21]. Available from: Your stories | Care Opinion
8. Murray PHN. Sustainable Rural Health Project [Internet]. Murray PHN; 2023 [cited 2023 June 21]. Available from: Codesign-findings_FINAL.pdf (murrayphn.org.au)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see my GP?
You should see your GP first when you think you might be pregnant. They will organise any tests and scans you need. Your GP can write you a referral to the Midwifery Clinic.
How do I book into the Midwifery Clinic?
You can also self-refer. One of our midwives can speak to you about this option. Just call the Midwifery Clinic on 0417 598 491.
When will I have my first appointment at the Midwifery Clinic?
What if my pregnancy is not low risk?
If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, we’d still like you to book in with us. That way we can still support you, your obstetrician, and the midwives at your primary hospital, even if we can’t provide your pregnancy care. Our midwives may also still be able to provide some or all of your care at home after your baby is born.
How soon can I come home after my baby is born?
If there are no complications, your baby is feeding, and you have enough support you may be able to come home as soon as 24 hours after your baby is born.
Will you offer birthing services again?
Like to know more?
Contact us by email [email protected] or call 0417 598 491
Midwifery Clinic
Mondays 8.30am – 4pm
144-158 King George Street
Cohuna