Hospital celebrates contribution of midwives

Midwives at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital at Buderim are celebrating International Midwives Day today (Tuesday 5 May). The day is celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world to honour midwives for their contribution towards the health of their nations.

Midwives at the hospital first helped birth a baby in September 1987 – nearly 30 years and almost 15,000 births later, they continue to play an integral role in supporting and caring for local families during some of the most important few days of their lives.

Therese Cawley has been a midwife for 30 years, and has been managing the hospital’s maternity unit since 2012.

“We have more than 60 midwives here at the hospital and I can emphatically say we love our job!” Ms Cawley said.

“It is hard to describe what an amazing feeling it is to help bring a new little life into this world and witness the incredible joy it brings,” she said.

“From the birth to breastfeeding to hearing tests – we consider it an absolute privilege to be involved in those very special first few days.”

Wallis Westbrook, the hospital’s General Manager, said midwives play an important role at a time of great joy in a family’s life, but also a time that can be quite stressful.

“There is a famous saying that you don’t always remember what people say, but you remember the way they made you feel – that is especially true of the role of a midwife,” Mr Westbrook said.

“We are so proud of the professionalism and commitment of our midwives and how they help support, guide and care for the babies, mums, dads and the entire family,” he said.

“The hospital is grateful to have been able to welcome so many little Buderim babies into the world and into our local community.”

A part of UnitingCare Health, The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, a not-for-profit private healthcare facility has been providing services to the Sunshine Coast community for almost 35 years.