Midwives service still here

With the doors now permanently shut at the Stratford maternity unit, midwives in the area want to reassure expectant mothers and their partners this doesn't mean there is no pre-natal care available.

"In fact, we have more midwives working in the area than we have necessarily had in the past," says Michelle Carse.

One of the founding members of the midwifery collective known as Naki Bubz, Michelle, says that the group is thrilled to be welcoming two more midwives to work with them.

"Melissa Cameron and I have been working together since February, and we were joined earlier this year by Teressa Lindsey, and have a fourth team member, Marlies Schwartfeger joining us next month."

Michelle says the group work as a collective, sharing care of patients and working as each other's back up.

"So any weekend there are two of us available, there is no risk a mother will be left struggling on her own."

Between the four midwives, they are serving the central, south and coastal areas of Taranaki, travelling to rural homes as well as running clinics in town.

"Lead maternity care is still readily available to women in the area," says Melissa, who moved here to start practicing as a midwife.

"I love the area, and was really excited to have the opportunity to come and work in the district."

She is enthusiastic about the facilities available at Hawera, saying the facility is great for normal, low-risk births.

"Hawera is a great option for women to birth at," agrees Michelle, "and of course, we are also willing and able to work with women who will labour and birth at Base Hospital or in their own home."

The collaborative approach the women have adopted means they can support each other, ensuring every client gets personal attention when they need it. "With rural areas like this, midwives can soon find themselves overworked with their case load, so we are working together to ensure we can provide back up care for each other's clients." Michelle says working together also means they can mentor and support each other.