Midwives’ importance stressed
IN a time of uncertainty, constant change, and rising pressure on health services, the role of midwives may never have been more important.
Today is International Day of the Midwife, but due to Covid19 restrictions, there will not be the usual morning tea celebrations.
Southern District Health Board acting director of midwifery Heather LaDell said she was ‘‘incredibly proud’’ of the way southern midwives had responded to the challenges posed by Covid19.
‘‘It’s been very tiring, it’s been scary, and we’re working with scared women and families,’’ she said.
Alert level restrictions meant changes to how midwives practised, from using more protective gear to arranging ultrasounds.
Plus it added to anxiety for families because of restrictions on who could be present during a birth.
‘‘We know that has been really tough for people to adjust to, from how they thought birth was going to be.
‘‘Nobody ever knows how pregnancy, birth, and the life of a new baby is going to go, but midwives are there for it all, for the great days and the really horrible days.’’
While International Day of the Midwife would usually be celebrated with ‘‘cupcakes, chocolate, and big gatherings’’, this year Ms LaDell recorded a video message to be shared with the team.
She also urged midwives to take a moment today to reflect on the good work they had been doing.
In Queenstown, videocalling had been a saving grace for new mothers who were unable to have visitors after giving birth.
Lakes District Hospital midwifery coordinator and core midwife Ann Mackay said under Level 4 conditions, mothers were only allowed a visitor while in labour and the partner was sent home once they had given birth.
“That was really difficult — really difficult to send dad home knowing they could not come back.
“But like everybody, you make use of Skype and Facetime and all those platforms.’’
To protect both parents and staff, the midwifery team temporarily moved out of Lakes District Hospital to the dental unit across the road.
They were hoping to move back into the hospital this week.