O97 - Midwifery Presence - The Catalyst for Connection

Abstract

Torres and Cape Maternity Services thrive on the connection with women, families and communities. Continuity of Carer has long been touted as the Gold Standard of Midwifery care – but is it? What is the key - knowing the carer or having the connection? The key is to engage women and their families, really learn their cultural norms so that the midwife becomes a ‘sister’ figure and truly lives the experience of being ‘with women.’ TCHHS have 17 inhabited islands and the TI midwives visit 14 islands covering many many kilometers. Most islands are in remote locations only reached by ferry, small fixed winged aircraft or helicopter. Birth stay is accommodated in 2 hostels on TI from onwards of 36 weeks. Weekly visits keep the MGP and core teams busy and the women clearly feel a connection with the maternity unit. They are greeted by the assistants in midwifery, midwives they know and midwives they don’t know. Birthing will normally be attended by one of the group of midwives for that island group, or by a core midwife – this doesn’t seem to phase the women as the connection and trust that has developed translates into comfort and safety in the hospital space. The TI midwives have sacrificed continuity of carer for depth of connection with the women, their families and their communities by dedicating many many hours of travel to the communities to build those deep relationships, be the known midwife of the specific community and gain the trust – that depth of trust that exists whether it’s a known or unknown midwife attending in that sacred birth space. Health services developing models of care with continuity of carer foremost should not discount the power of connection that comes from providing a consistent midwife to a community regardless of the tyranny of travel. TI midwives stand with generations of women Together at the Top.