THEY SAY it takes a village to raise a child—and at Hervey Bay Hospital, it starts with a midwife.

On this International Day of the Midwife, the hospital honoured its Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) and unveiled new initiatives to support expectant families across the Fraser Coast.

For over a decade, Hervey Bay’s MGP midwives have walked alongside women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond—building trust and improving outcomes.

MGP midwife Amy Kellahan, who joined the service in 2020, said the model was born from women seeking more personalised and continuous care.

“Continuity of carer is the gold standard of maternity care,” she said. “It’s not just about seeing the same face, it’s about building trust, fostering open communication, and empowering women to make informed choices.”

Unlike traditional maternity models, MGP midwives are on call 24/7—supporting women from antenatal visits to delivery and up to five days postpartum.

Amy said this leads to fewer interventions and better mental wellbeing.

“Some of our most memorable moments are when women return to have their second or third baby with the same midwife. That ongoing connection is incredibly special,” she said. “We’re not there for a medical procedure—we’re there for a life event.”

More than 2,000 babies have been born through MGP at Hervey Bay.

Acting Maternity Unit Manager Joanne Fendley highlighted several recent improvements: Saturday antenatal clinics have improved access for working families, while Thursday vaccination sessions now offer free whooping cough and RSV vaccines to pregnant people.

“We’ve already seen fewer missed appointments and more family involvement,” she said.

The hospital also recently introduced its first public birthing pool, giving Fraser Coast mothers access to water birth for the first time.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved—and even more excited about what’s to come,” Joanne said.

For more information, contact Hervey Bay Maternity on (07) 4325 6820.