New MAPS continuity of maternity care trial on World Health Day

Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) has commenced a trial Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS) program to provide a best-practice continuity of care model for women across their perinatal journey.

Enabling low-risk women to see the same midwives for both their antenatal and postnatal care, the MAPS trial will offer existing FSH maternity patients’ continuity of care by a known team of midwives, which provides evidence-based excellent outcomes for women and their babies.

Acting Coordinator of Nursing and Midwifery, Leanne Graham, said FSH was thrilled to trial this model of care to support existing low-risk women in the hospital catchment.

“Increasing women’s access to continuity of midwifery care is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) leading priorities toward improving maternal and neonatal outcomes,” Leanne said.

“Not only do the midwives really understand these women’s cases, but they also build a relationship of trust and rapport with the woman across their perinatal journey which is linked to great outcomes.”

The MAPS women will be cared for by birthing suite midwives once they are ready to birth but will be discharged back into the care of their known team of midwives following their hospital stay.

“Additionally, we find midwives prefer working in these types of continuity of care models, so it is a win-win for our staff as well as the women they care for,” Leanne said.

“After the trial in our existing low-risk clinics, we hope to expand our MAPS service to cater for referrals and are proud to provide a variety continuity of care models that suit both women and midwives.”

World Health Day, run by WHO, is celebrated on 7 April 2025 and highlights maternal and newborn health via the campaign ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’ (external site), which brings awareness to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and prioritising women’s longer-term health and wellbeing.

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