A new maternity service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families has launched at Redcliffe Hospital following the model's proven success at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and Caboolture Hospital.
Ngarrama is a free antenatal, birthing and postnatal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families incorporating a community-centred model, providing care how and where First Nations women feel comfortable.
Expectant mothers are connected with one midwife for their entire birthing journey to ensure continuity of care, with traditional practices also drawn in.
Metro North Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Director Tara Denaro said the model has showed positive results.
“Women in the Ngarrama program have been less likely to need an emergency caesarean section or have a pre-term birth,” she said.
“Their babies have been less likely to need admission to a special care or intensive care nursery, and all babies born at term have had a healthy birth weight above 2.5kg.
"With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families still experiencing poorer maternal and infant health outcomes, expanding access to continuity of care models like Ngarrama is critical to closing the gap and giving every child the healthiest possible start to life.”
Ngarrama's Redcliffe service was officially launched with a Welcome Baby ceremony, celebrating connection to Country, culture and community from the beginning of life for some of the children they have already brought into the world.
New mum Ella Bellamy brought her five-month-old son Jude to be blessed at the ceremony, and to learn more about her culture.
"Being able to attend events like this makes me really excited, especially being a first-time mum," she said.
"I want to connect more with my culture now that I have an indigenous son as well."
Ella was supported by Ngarrama throughout her pregnancy and and birthing journey, and she continues to engage with the community.
"I feel comfortable here and I always have, being around my culture and community," she said.
"The help I received through my pregnancy and after was incredible. I met my midwife and built an actual relationship with her. They're very good at catering to what you want to do culturally, traditionally.
“It was a really, really good experience and it felt almost relaxing, knowing that I had that person there as I navigated this new and scary thing.
"They also host yarns on Fridays where you go can and chat with the other mothers about your experiences which is really good."
The Welcome Baby ceremony also highlighted the importance of birth registration, with champions from the Growing Deadly Families team on-site to guide parents through the simple process.
First Nations Midwifery Director Melina Connors said children born to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers are significantly less likely to have their births registered compared to those born to non-Indigenous mothers.
“The birth registration process is important as it provides the foundation for legal identity and access to essential services including healthcare, education, employment and social supports throughout life,” she said.
"It's not only a legal document of identity, but it'll support our children as they go on to school, participate in sport, apply for their license or passport.
"It also supports them to carry our history into the next generation and to walk in both worlds with their culture and identity.
"Ngarrama is a place where women and families can bring their whole selves, their culture, their identity, their spirit and the community responsibilities, and keep our culture thriving and strong.
"These babies are our future."
Any woman who is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or whose baby is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can connect with Ngarrama. More information can be found through Ngarrama Family Service.