If you are in the early stages of your pregnancy and interested in participating, you will be introduced to a UniSQ midwifery student (who are already registered nurses), under the supervision of a registered midwife, to provide care and support to you throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal at no cost.
You will have the opportunity to build a trusting relationship with your health care professionals, which has many benefits for you, your baby, and provides invaluable practical experience to our future midwives.
How it works
A minimum of 6 visits with your midwifery student is recommended with meeting times and locations being flexible to suit your schedule. If at any time you change your mind, you are under no obligation to continue. With our midwifery continuity of care program you are in complete control.
With your consent the midwifery student you are partnered with can, under supervision:
- accompany you to doctor's appointments
- take blood
- give injections
- apply monitors
- listen to your baby's heart rate
- provide general support
- assist with the birth, and
- provide postnatal care.
Our midwifery students are required to develop a professional partnership with a number of women experiencing pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting, to complete the mandatory practical experience for their degree. You will continue to receive the normal care provided by qualified midwives and/or your doctor. Midwifery students are not able to provide direct midwifery care without supervision. If you have questions about your health, pregnancy, birth or the time after the birth or your baby’s needs, the student must refer those to your midwife or doctor.