A unique program led by student midwives is giving expectant women more choice in their care options at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.

The Students with Women Innovative Model with Midwifery Education (SWIM) program is the only one of its kind in the district and enables women to receive continuity of care throughout their pregnancy.

The SWIM clinic is run by student midwives who provide antenatal care with the supervision of a senior midwife. The small team care for the women and share an on-call roster to attend the birth, in addition to a midwife and medical team. 

In return, women receive continuity of care by the same midwives, longer appointments with the midwife, and receive care from both the student and a senior midwife through their pregnancy, birth and post-birth.

Student midwife Gaby Sposari said the program allowed her to create a special bond with the families, as well as other midwives.
 

“It is such a privilege to be part of a woman and her family’s special moment in their life,” she said.

Gaby and her colleague Emma Roberts run their own clinics with the women every Friday as part of their placement to meet the minimum number of women, about 10, they must provide continuity of care to in a year. 

They share on-call and attend the women’s births in their spare time, even though it is not a requirement.

“We learn from the mums and the mums learn from us,” said Emma.

“I really appreciate the relationship with the rest of the SWIM team: we collaborate as a team. The rapport we build with the mothers.”

Mum Nika is pregnant with her second child, due in May, and is full of praise for the program.

“In this program, I see the same midwife, familiar faces and this makes me feel more comfortable, more confident and more involved,” she said.

The program has been running at Hornsby since 2007.