A pilot program of the Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service, known as MAPS, commences this month at Nepean Hospital with five experienced midwives available to provide compassionate and quality care to women throughout their pregnancy and after birth.
Nepean Hospital registered midwife, Miriam Cook says the midwives are thrilled to be able to offer this program to local women.
“All the research says continuity of care throughout pregnancy is the best thing you can provide to women to improve health outcomes. We’re incredibly excited knowing that we can offer this valuable service to more women,” says Miriam.
Allowing for a close and trusting relationship to develop between the woman and her midwife over the course of the program, MAPS aims to foster a woman’s ability to build confidence with parenting skills, support breastfeeding initiation and extend feeding duration.
Alongside these health outcomes, Miriam says the program also offers many advantages that will help to make the journey through antenatal care easier for women.
“We can visit with women in their own homes for their antenatal care and early postnatal follow up. We keep track of when appointments or results are due for each woman and if they have any queries or concerns throughout their pregnancy, women can call their midwife directly to talk about it,” says Miriam.
“Seeing the same person each time, we get to know each woman’s story and health history so they don’t need to rehash this at every appointment. We get to know the women so well that seeing your midwife becomes like seeing an old friend.”
When it comes time to deliver their baby, women under the care of the MAPs program will be supported by Nepean Hospital’s birth unit midwives, allowing the MAPS team to provide care for 80 women each a year – double the capacity of a caseload midwife.
MAPS is available to all women in low-risk maternity categories. Women will be offered the opportunity to be part of the program when they book for maternity care at Nepean Hospital.
“The introduction of this program is great news for local women,” says Miriam.
“If you are currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy, I’d encourage you to consider MAPS at Nepean Hospital and the great benefits it can offer for your journey through pregnancy and the early days with your newborn.”
