Birthing On Country
Birthing on Country: The Best Start to Life
Birthing on Country (BOC) is a once in a lifetime project, created and driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to build a better future for First Australians.
The South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda), has partnered with the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre and the Australian College of Midwives, to create a service where Aboriginal women and their families can experience their pregnancy in a culturally safe and nurturing environment.
From 2014 to 2018 , studies have consistently shown that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have an alarmingly higher mortality rate when compared to non-indigenous children. The main cause of Indigenous child deaths aged 0-4 were due to perinatal conditions, including birth trauma and complications of pregnancy.
BOC is the next step in combating this epidemic . An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led model of care ensures women can choose how and where they give birth, while being supported by leading medical professionals.
Our Short Term Goals
An Aboriginal Led Midwifery Group Practice
Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) means that a woman is supported by the same team of midwives throughout her pregnancy.
MGP is one of the primary foundations for BOC, and while studies have shown it to be the best maternity model of care, only a small majority of women have the privilege of receiving this gold standard service.
Under BOC, all women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby will receive excellent and affordable antenatal care, and postnatal care up till six weeks after birth.
Our Long Term Goals
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization Birth Centre.
The BOC Building will be a free-standing Birth Centre and Community Hub, located in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region in NSW.
The BOC centre will be a lighthouse of cultural and national significance, as well as a “one stop shop” of comprehensive care for Indigenous women and their families.
The BOC centre will not only be a place for women to access maternity services with their known care provider, but a place where they will feel safe and connected to the land and their culture.
In addition, the Centre will provide outstanding family support, transitional accommodation, and numerous job opportunities within the Shoalhaven’s growing community.
We hope that you will support us in the long road ahead. We are absolutely determined to thrive and grow our workforce and inspire more culturally lead projects in the future.
With Birthing on Country, we can create happier, healthier, and stronger communities.
Birthing on Country (BOC) is a once in a lifetime project, created and driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to build a better future for First Australians.
The South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda), has partnered with the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre and the Australian College of Midwives, to create a service where Aboriginal women and their families can experience their pregnancy in a culturally safe and nurturing environment.
From 2014 to 2018 , studies have consistently shown that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have an alarmingly higher mortality rate when compared to non-indigenous children. The main cause of Indigenous child deaths aged 0-4 were due to perinatal conditions, including birth trauma and complications of pregnancy.
BOC is the next step in combating this epidemic . An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led model of care ensures women can choose how and where they give birth, while being supported by leading medical professionals.
Our Short Term Goals
An Aboriginal Led Midwifery Group Practice
Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) means that a woman is supported by the same team of midwives throughout her pregnancy.
MGP is one of the primary foundations for BOC, and while studies have shown it to be the best maternity model of care, only a small majority of women have the privilege of receiving this gold standard service.
Under BOC, all women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby will receive excellent and affordable antenatal care, and postnatal care up till six weeks after birth.
Our Long Term Goals
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization Birth Centre.
The BOC Building will be a free-standing Birth Centre and Community Hub, located in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region in NSW.
The BOC centre will be a lighthouse of cultural and national significance, as well as a “one stop shop” of comprehensive care for Indigenous women and their families.
The BOC centre will not only be a place for women to access maternity services with their known care provider, but a place where they will feel safe and connected to the land and their culture.
In addition, the Centre will provide outstanding family support, transitional accommodation, and numerous job opportunities within the Shoalhaven’s growing community.
We hope that you will support us in the long road ahead. We are absolutely determined to thrive and grow our workforce and inspire more culturally lead projects in the future.
With Birthing on Country, we can create happier, healthier, and stronger communities.
Organizer
Lynn Wellington
Organizer
Nowra DC, NSW
South Coast Women's Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation
Beneficiary