'Making the Changes' working group improving birthing outcomes at FSH

The Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) 'Making the Changes' maternity working group has partnered with consumers with lived and advocacy birthing experience to improve birthing outcomes for future patients at FSH.

Formed in May 2024, the group's remit considers and implements initiatives, evidence and innovations to support maternity service users' perinatal psycho-emotional wellbeing through the reduction of birth trauma and optimising respectful maternity care.

Made up of maternity service leaders and managers, midwifery researchers and expert consumer/community member representatives, the group meet once a fortnight to review and discuss initiatives to reduce the rates of birth trauma.

Mother of two and Director of Perth maternity advocacy group, The Perth Birth Link, Amy O'Meagher joined the group as a member with lived experience following the traumatic birth of her first child.

"My experience centred around preventable scenarios, regarding consent and understanding, and how I was treated whilst in hospital," Amy said.

"Unfortunately, I am not alone with 1 in 3 women experiencing birth trauma, which is what led me to become a maternity consumer advocate.

"For me the solution is simple; maternity care must become woman-centred, with trauma informed continuity of care with a known midwife."

Former midwife and now Perinatal Mental Health Nurse Emma Snelgar said being part of the working group is incredibly important to her.

"Working with women who have experienced traumatic births or perinatal periods, I have seen over and over again how much needs to change to be able to create emotionally safe birthing experiences where women are able to leave their birth without the heavy cloud of trauma hovering over them," Emma explained.

"Witnessing firsthand the commitment of FSH to acknowledge their part and actively working to reduce birth trauma, and in doing so pioneering this space for other maternity hospitals to follow, is forever going to be a highlight of my career."

The group have already implemented a range of initiatives including updated consent training for all midwifery staff, reviewing and updating patient information and policies, as well as developing models and tools, and improving feedback and complaint processes.

This is just one of the many ways we are partnering with consumers to deliver better health outcomes, supporting mothers to have a more positive birthing experience, and enabling them to have a voice.

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