More First Nations babies are being born healthy through a culturally tailored midwifery model of care delivered at three major maternity services in Melbourne, according to a large-scale study led by La Trobe University on July 9.
The Baggarrook Yurrongi or "Women's Journey" model ensures women having a First Nations baby are cared for by a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. The culturally tailored model was developed in partnership with First Nations health units at each maternity service and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
The study, published in The Lancet journal eClinical Medicine, found the program led to significantly better outcomes for First Nations babies, including a 45 percent increase in babies born healthy. The research also found babies were 33 percent less likely to be born with low birthweight, 36 percent less likely to be born early, 30 percent less likely to require neonatal intensive care, and that women were 86 percent more likely to commence breastfeeding.
Researchers analysed more than 164,000 births—including over 2,000 First Nations babies—across the Royal Women's Hospital, Mercy Hospital for Women and Joan Kirner Women's and Children's at Sunshine Hospital. The study compared outcomes before (2012-2017) and after (2017-2022) the model's implementation. Findings show the model is helping narrow disparities in birth outcomes and support progress towards Closing the Gap targets.
Lead researcher Professor Della Forster from La Trobe University's Judith Lumley Center and the Royal Women's Hospital said, "Locally tailored culturally informed midwife continuity of care could make a measurable difference." More than 64 percent of eligible women received this model during the study period. Women reported high satisfaction with their care while midwives also reported positive experiences.
Evelyn Burns, Clinical Midwife Specialist at the Royal Women's Hospital and First Nations woman, said, "I get to walk alongside women and their families during one of the most important times in their lives and that continuity really matters. You can see the difference when care feels culturally safe – women are more confident, more connected and more supported every step of the way." Natalie Roberg from Mercy Hospital for Women said, "Having a known midwife throughout pregnancy creates an opportunity to build trust over time... rather than having to start from the beginning at every appointment." Grace Arnold from Western Health's Galinjera program said, "Women are more likely to attend appointments, raise concerns and ask questions about their pregnancy when they feel safe in a trusted relationship with a known midwife." Professor Forster said these findings strengthen calls for scaling up such models nationwide.
