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New antenatal clinic for pregnant women
New antenatal clinic for pregnant women
Women living in the Taree and Forster-Tuncurry regions now have access to a new Midwives Pregnancy Education and Support Clinic.
The clinic will run on Mondays at the Taree Community Health Centre in Pultney Street, from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm and on Fridays at the Aged Care Centre in Forster (87 McIntosh St, from 9.30am to 1.00pm).
The service, which is free, is run by specifically trained midwives.
The clinic will provide education and support to complement the antenatal checks by the woman’s GP.
Midwife and clinic organiser Namira Williams said women will be able to discuss specific concerns.
“Women may have concerns about their pregnancy or want to discuss issues that will affect them within their new role as parents.”
“The benefit for women of the clinic is the opportunity to talk woman-to-woman about their issues,” Ms Williams said.
“There is also the opportunity to get to know the midwives who may provide their care when they come into hospital to give birth to their baby.”
“Recent research has shown that care by midwives during pregnancy has some very positive outcomes to reduce intervention in labour, and increase women’s confidence breastfeeding.”
“Women will be booked in to Maternity Unit at their first visit (at around 14-16 weeks) and the number of visits to the midwives will vary according to need. The clinics focus on providing education and support during pregnancy, but do not replace the existing childbirth and parenting classes,” Ms Williams said.
“Midwives will also provide clinical antenatal care where requested, working closely with the woman's doctor,” she said.
Women will need to be referred to the clinic by their doctor, a community health provider (such as women’s health, mental health, etc) or from another community agency.
For more information contact Manning Hospital Maternity Unit on (02) 6592 9274
Contact: Tanya Carlyle
Phone: (02) 4939 2602
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