By Kelly Yates
CASEY Hospital is one of two hospitals trialling a $400,000 pilot program offering midwife-led home-births through public hospitals.
Southern Health chief executive Shelly Park said it was expected there would be about 50 home births during the 12-month assessment period, which begins early next year. Midwives employed through the pilot project will be covered by their hospital’s clinical governance.
Until now, the only option for women seeking a homebirth has been to engage a private midwife at their own expense.
Beaconsfield resident Roanna Gray, who had a home birth with her baby Evie, back in 2008, said she thought the initiative was a great idea.
“I also agree with independent midwives. But the concept is good for women who can’t afford home births,” she said.
Mrs Gray was in labour with Evie for four hours and spent one and a half of those hours in an inflatable blow-up pool in the family home.
She decided to have a natural, drug-free home birth so she could be in a relaxing environment.
“I was flooded with emotion as I reached down to pull my baby out of the water,” she said.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the Victorian pilot model had been established following consultation with consumer groups, maternity health professionals, leading maternity obstetricians and midwives.
It will also draw on the experience of similar programs in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
“The new pilot programs will give Victorian families greater choice in maternity care and provide women with greater control of their birthing experience,” Mr Andrews said.
“Once the public homebirth program is evaluated, it may be more widely offered through the public health system.”
Southern Health’s director of obstetrics Professor Euan Wallace welcomed the announcement.
“This will appeal to women who have previously had uncomplicated births. If there are any problems during labour for women participating in the pilot, they can be brought into the hospital where they will be looked after by their midwives and hospital staff. Everything will be seamless. It’s a great development.”
