
Gatton mother of two, Samantha Love, gave birth to her second child using the continuity of care model and had one midwife from start to finish.
“I met my midwife at 12 weeks pregnant and had her on call 24/7 until six weeks following the birth of my son,” Mrs Love said.
“During this time, I was able to get to know my midwife and she got to know me – she spent time understanding my birth intentions, anxieties and beliefs.
“When it came to labour and birth, I felt so empowered and in control and knew that my midwife was there for me and looking out for my best interests.”
Director of Lockyer Valley Midwifery, Dawn Reid, was Samantha’s midwife and said women who have been through this service will swear by it.
“Women and families who have had their children through a midwifery-led continuity of care model can’t speak more highly of it,” Mrs Reid said.
“Continuity of midwifery care is not just about managing labour and pain during birth, it’s about holistic care, covering all aspects of pregnancy, birth, antenatal and postnatal whilst supporting the entire family and extended family to make the entire experience the most beautiful, empowering and memorable of your life.”
Mrs Reid has spent the last 7 years working in a continuity of care model prior to spending the last 30 years of her career in various other models of care.
“The benefits for women, babies and midwives is undeniable and cannot be overlooked,” she said of the continuity of care model.
“As a midwife, we go into this profession because we want to support women to be empowered and we can only do this when we have the opportunity to build a relationship with women and their families.
“Knowing the woman and the family you’re supporting is also critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of the mother and their newborns.”