About our Aboriginal pregnancy services
We provide flexible and culturally appropriate care, support and education for Aboriginal women and their partners during their pregnancy and after birth, and for their babies and children aged 0 to 5 years.
Our Aboriginal health services include:
- Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service (AMIHS)
- Budjery Manya: The New Directions Program
- Dragonfly Midwifery Program (Westmead and Blacktown)
- NSW Aboriginal Ear Health Program (Otitis Media or Glue Ear)
For more information or referrals, email AboriginalHealthUnit@health.nsw.gov.au
Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services (AMIHS)
The AMIHS program is available across NSW. In Western Sydney Local Health District, our initiative is named Bulbwul Werowe (signifying the strength of babies).
We serve all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander women throughout Western Sydney, as well as families identifying with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
The AMIHS offers:
- prenatal and postnatal care
- tailored, culturally sensitive support
- education throughout pregnancy and the initial 6-8 weeks following childbirth.
The AMIHS program is delivered by Aboriginal health workers and Aboriginal health practitioners. They work alongside the AMIHS midwife who provides cultural secure and competent maternity care.
You can directly enrol in the AMIHS program without a referral.
Our services
- Comprehensive and regular antenatal (during pregnancy) health checks.
- Help with booking in to maternity hospitals.
- Childbirth and parenting education.
- Referral and support to access other services.
- Health promotion and community development activities.
- Postnatal (after giving birth) checks and support.
- Support with infant feeding, nutrition and parenting.
- Support with making healthy lifestyle choices.
Learn more about having a healthy pregnancy and substance use in pregnancy.
Budjery Manya - The New Directions Program
Launched in 2015, the Budjery Manya program is funded by the Federal Government. It aims to address maternal and child health inequalities experienced by First Nations people in Western Sydney.
The program provides culturally appropriate services and service delivery to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have children aged 0-5 years.
Our services
- Child development checks for babies and children from 0 to 5 years.
- Immunisation clinics.
- Home visiting services.
- Referral pathways for specialist services.
- Paediatrician clinics.
- Specialised program for families.
- Support from Aboriginal Health workers.
- Aboriginal culturally appropriate services.
- Access to the Work and Development Order program.
- Access to tongued tied programs and other child dental health programs.
- Ability to provide other clinical and non-clinical support.
Westmead Dragonfly Midwifery
Dragonfly Midwifery at Westmead Hospital provides continuity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families.
You can contact us during business hours by calling (02) 8890 9219, by fax at (02) 8890 7851 or email WSLHD-dragonflymidwiferywestmead@health.nsw.gov.au
Your GP will refer you to the antenatal clinic noting that you would like to be part of the Caseload program.
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Your care will consist of a team of 4 midwives who will work together alongside you and your family through your pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience. The benefits of having a known care provider allows you to build a comfortable, trusting relationship with your midwife.
The midwife will complete your check-ups either in your home, hospital or at our clinic near the hospital. Your midwife will follow the schedule of visits as set by NSW Health. These appointments can be booked to fit in with your lifestyle.
At these appointments we will focus on your unique needs and expectations and respect your cultural beliefs. You will also discuss your plans for birth and the postnatal period so that you can make informed decisions.
If you develop complexities through your pregnancy, the midwife will see you with the doctor in the hospital clinic.
We understand that history is important, and your community and culture play a large part in the health of you and your baby.
We work closely with local Aboriginal Health Services in the area and Westmead Hospital services to provide supportive, culturally safe and inclusive care throughout your journey to motherhood.
You and your midwife will be in contact during early labour and discuss when to come into the hospital.
Your midwife will provide care and support during labour and birth.
If you and your baby are well, you will go home 4 to 6 hours after birth. Your caseload midwife will then visit you in the comfort of your home.
If there are any medical indications that need you to remain in hospital, you’ll be admitted to the maternity ward, where the hospital midwives will care for you.
You midwife will visit you and your baby at home after you have been discharged from hospital.
The midwife will be available to support you and your new family for 2-6 weeks after birth. At this time, your midwife will refer you and your baby to your local child and family health centre.
NSW Aboriginal Ear Health Program
This program is an NSW Health initiative to help prevent otitis media (middle ear infection) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-6 years.
We offer:
- education to parents and organisation
- support and guidance through the health system to help diagnose and treat Otitis Media.
Otitis Media (OM) or Glue Ear is the inflammation and infection of the middle ear. It is a major source of ear disease in Aboriginal children. It often begins just weeks after birth, can return frequently, and persist into adolescence (teens).
It is important to have children's ears tested at least once a year. If you have history of OM, or are concerned about your child's ear health, contact the Aboriginal Otitis Media Coordinator at the Aboriginal Health Hub by calling 02 9881 1670.
Symptoms to look out for
- signs of a cold (coughing, sore throat, runny nose)
- pain in the ears
- pus, fluid coming from the ear
- kids pulling at their ears
- falling over or unbalanced
- can't hear properly
- not eating
- speaking loudly or constantly asking you to repeat what you've said
- speech problems
- sometimes there can be no symptoms at all, we recommend getting tested once a year.
Learn more about the NSW Aboriginal Ear Health Program
Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO)
An ALO provides advocacy, support and liaison within a hospital setting.
They work in partnership with the patient and our health services teams to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.
They also play a key role in aiding relationships between Aboriginal patients and other health professionals. Our ALOs can help organise practice assistance when needed, including:
- providing care and support
- helping with accommodation and transport
- helping with referrals to required services
- be a link between community and services
- helping with planning discharge from hospital to meet the needs of women and their families.
- liaise with interstate and rural services to help with transfer back to community.
How to contact the ALO
You can request our staff to contact the ALO at your appointment or call (02) 8890 5555 and ask to speak to the ALO.
Learn more about Aboriginal health services in Western Sydney.
Find an Aboriginal pregnancy service
Use our Service Directory to find a health service near you.
Helpful resources
The following links provide helpful information and tools for before, during and after your pregnancy journey.
You can also access credible and reliable multilingual health information resources from the Multicultural Health Communication Service's In-language health resources library.