Canberra Midwifery Program

The Canberra Midwifery Program (CMP) is based in the Birth Centre at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.

This program is available for women who:

• Are healthy and have no medical concerns
• Prefer to birth in a relaxed, home-like environment
• Would like to be supported by midwives in a continuity model of care
• Are planning a vaginal birth with minimal intervention
• Want to go home within 24 hours of birth

Our philosophy

Pregnancy and birth are a very normal life event for most women and families. The Canberra Midwifery Program provides care for women who want a low intervention, natural approach to pregnancy and birth.

Women who choose to birth in this model of care are supported by a known midwife who provides midwifery care, education and support to the woman from early pregnancy, through to labour and birth and into the early postnatal period.

This allows the midwife and woman to work in partnership and promotes a sense of trust, choice and control for the woman.

Service

Midwifery care is provided through a 'Continuity of Midwifery Care Model'. This means that where ever possible, you will receive care during your pregnancy from the same midwife and then during labour and birth, this same midwife will care for you. We would hope that by the time you labour, you and your midwife have got to know each other very well and that you have had an opportunity to establish a friendly, trusting and professional relationship with your midwife and that you and your partner are feeling confident and well prepared for labour, birth and parenting.

You will meet your midwife at around 14-16 weeks and this visit usually takes place at your home. Your midwife will provide you with her mobile number and you will be able to contact your own midwife 24/7 for any urgent concerns and for labour and birth. Non-urgent calls are best made between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

If during your pregnancy, you or your midwife has any concerns or you develop complications, your midwife works closely with the medical team and your midwife will arrange for you to see one of our doctors.

After your baby is born, you, your partner and baby will be able to stay in the Birth Centre for up to 4-24 hours before you go home. Once you go home, your midwife will visit you at home every day for the first three to four days and then every second to third day, up to day 14. If you or your baby are unwell or you have a complicated birth, you will be transferred for postnatal care to the postnatal ward until you and your baby are well enough to be discharged home.

Bookings

For women wishing to have their care through the Canberra Midwifery Program:

Phone (02) 6174 7341 as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.

To determine your suitability for the program a referral letter from your GP is necessary, which should include relevant medical/surgical/psychosocial/obstetric history, medications and your weight and height.

The program is very popular and has a waiting list for most months so it is essential that you book as early as possible if this is your preferred model of care.