Publicly-funded home births start for Peninsula women
Peninsula women who have a low-risk pregnancy may now choose a publicly-funded homebirth, through a service operated by the Central Coast Local Health District.
Homebirth midwives with the service work in collaboration with the midwifery and medical team at Gosford Hospital.
Health District women's director Ms Lynelle Hill said the homebirth service provided women with more birth options.
"We've had many Central Coast women requesting a homebirth and I am delighted we can now offer this option," Ms Hill said.
"Many women who birth at home report feeling empowered and have high levels of satisfaction with their overall maternity care."
She said the Health District had undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure the safe implementation of the publicly-funded homebirth service.
"Women who live no further than 45 minutes from Gosford Hospital and have no known complications can access this service," she said.
"Studies have shown that planned homebirth with known midwives is safe for low-risk pregnancies.
"If a woman chooses at any point in time not to proceed with a planned homebirth they can continue to access their care through Gosford Hospital.
"If complications do arise for the woman or her baby, there are clear pathways in place for the woman, and her baby to be transferred to Gosford Hospital.
"Since we started offering the service at the end of last year, 12 women have successfully birthed in their own homes.
"These women have said how much they valued having this choice available to them."
For more information about the service, phone 0414 193 132 or email cclhd-homebirth@health.nsw.gov.au.
SOURCE:
Media Release. Friday, 1 March 2024.
Sharna Ryan, CCLHD