Photo: Charlotte Messam and Maia.
Central Coast women who have a low-risk pregnancy now have the choice to birth at home through a publicly funded homebirth service.
Central Coast Local Health District’s (CCLHD) Director of Women, Children’s and Families Lynelle Hill said the homebirth service provides women with more options for where they choose to birth.
“We’ve had many Central Coast women requesting a homebirth and I am delighted we can now offer this option,” Ms Hill said.
“Since we started offering the service at the end of last year, twelve local women have successfully birthed in their own homes. These women have said how much they valued having this choice available to them.
“Many women who birth at home report feeling empowered and have high levels of satisfaction with their overall maternity care.”
CCLHD has undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure the safe implementation of the publicly funded homebirth service for the District’s women and families.
Women in CCLHD who live no further than 45 minutes from Gosford Hospital and have no known complications can access this service.
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.
The homebirth midwives work in collaboration with the midwifery and medical team at Gosford Hospital.
For more information about the service please contact 0414 193 132 or CCLHD-Homebirth@health.nsw.gov.au