The value of midwives was celebrated on Thursday at the South East Regional Hospital.
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A large crowd of parents and their children joined SERH midwives and family health nurses to mark the International Day of the Midwife, held annually on May 5, in around 50 countries.
Djiringanj elder Colleen Dixon offered a Welcome to Country on behalf of her people, making special mention of her own mother.
“She’s still with us at 82, bless her,” Ms Dixon said.
“She had 14 children, six boys and eight girls.
“The eldest was born at the Old Bega Hospital out on the highway and then the midwives helped all the other little ones at the new Bega hospital, which is now the old one,” she said to chuckles around the lawn.
“So I welcome you here on behalf of my people, and on behalf of my mum.”
While the families were there to thank and celebrate their midwives, the international theme for 2016 – Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery – put the focus back having patients at the centre of everything they do.
SERH head of maternity Simone Shaw said May 5 is used to celebrate the successes and value of midwives, but also to highlight improvements still needed so every woman and newborn has access to the best possible care.
She said midwives have a key role to play in ensuring access to quality midwives is available to everyone.
International Day of the Midwife has been observed on May 5 each year since 1992.
Child and family health care nurse – and clown for the day – Mary Hourigan – pointed out it was also National Mothering Week, designed to give recognition to all those who support mothers on a daily basis.
She said this included breast feeding counsellors and midwives, but also took in partners, family members and friends all of whom have a a role to play loving and looking after mums who can sometimes neglect themselves while focusing on baby.
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