• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Snippets
    • Mayoral Notes
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Competitions
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
  • Features
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • Loving Local Living
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Parkes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix

Baby It’s Time

January 29, 2021 By editor

The midwives at Parkes Hospital are (L-R) Susan Pearce, Nicole White, Beth Herlihy and Lorraine Goodrick.

The Maternity unit at the Parkes Hospital is open again with birthing possible under the care of a midwife.

The Lachlan Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) started booking in expectant mothers from Thursday last week. The unit has been closed for almost two years because of a shortage of medical practitioners.

“I welcome the service as an option, however I will continue to pursue the Local Health District on the recruitment and retention of obstetricians and other specialists,” said Member for Orange Phil Donato, who has been very vocal on the planned downgrade to maternity services.

“Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) provides a mother with a midwife who cares for them during pregnancy, birth journey and afterwards,” said Acting Lachlan Health Service Manager, Jenni McGee.

“MGP is for women with a low risk pregnancy, and no medical conditions. Mid-wives are trained specialists in normal pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. They also have support from specialist GP obstetricians if required during pregnancy.

“When pregnant women call the central intake line on 6861 2439, they will speak to our maternity team about the choices available. This is ultimately a decision based on both a risk assessment and the mother’s choice,” said Jenni.

“Where the pregnancy is low risk, mums can now choose to birth at either Parkes or Forbes through the MGP. They will have a primary midwife working with them throughout their pregnancy which really helps develop understanding and trust. “Two midwives will attend the birth and the primary midwife will visit mum and baby at home for up to six weeks after the birth.

“If there are any developments during the pregnancy that changes the risk assessment, the midwife will work with mum and her other healthcare providers to make arrangements to give birth at Forbes, where obstetric and anaesthetic services are available.”

Filed Under: Articles, General Interest

Latest Print Editions

Click here to download the recent issue (248) of The Parkes Phoenix (1.5MB PDF) – 26th February 2020

STAY CONNECTED

The Parkes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

CENTRAL WEST RURAL ROUND UP BOOKLET

Click here to download the Rural Round Up Booklet 

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

Recent Articles

  • No More Struggles With Sleep February 26, 2021
  • Young Reporter Writes Own Newsletter February 26, 2021
  • Honour Roll Shines Light On Hidden Treasures In Our Community February 26, 2021
  • Anzac Day To Go Ahead February 26, 2021
  • Snippets… February 26, 2021

CONTACT THE PHOENIX

Head Office Phone: (02) 6344 1846

Postal Address PO Box 203 Canowindra NSW 2804  

Editorial – Maggi Barnard Phone 0403 080 085 editor@parkesphoenix.com.au

Sales – Rochelle Frame Phone 0490 517 590 sales@parkesphoenix.com.au  

View our Privacy Policy.

View our Conflict Resolution Process.

View our Ethics and Complaints Policy.

Want to advertise with us?

Information on our Community Promotions.

Submit an Article

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Sign up for The Parkes Phoenix Newspaper

* = required field

Copyright © 2021 · Website setup by WebSysMan