In Emma Ardler's journey through childbirth, the recurring absence of familiar faces among midwives has been a disheartening reality. Despite the profound bond she had forged with a trusted midwife, Emma found herself repeatedly recounting her story with each new birth, a process that left her feeling unnerved, disconnected, and uninformed.

I have gone through two pregnancies where I have had to retell my story again and again," Emma shared, reflecting on her experiences. "I felt scared, isolated, left in the dark.

A beacon of hope emerged for Emma, a soon-to-be mother of three and a proud First Nations woman from Wreck Bay, residing on Yuin Country along New South Wales' South Coast. Turning to locally sourced support from Waminda, an Aboriginal women's health organization, Emma chose privately employed midwives who understood her cultural needs intimately.

However, the limitations imposed on these midwives prevented them from providing comprehensive care within the hospital setting, confining their services to pre and post-natal care. This dynamic is set to shift dramatically as Shoalhaven Hospital prepares to welcome a groundbreaking initiative, allowing culturally sensitive midwives like Tahlia Avolio, a Tasmanian Palawa woman, to facilitate birthing experiences within its walls.

For Emma and countless other expectant First Nations mothers, this development signifies more than just a medical procedure. It represents the fulfillment of cultural affirmation, bridging gaps in understanding, and meeting spiritual needs that are often overlooked in conventional healthcare settings.

It means bridging gaps, it means being supported, it means having my spiritual needs met," Emma expressed with a sense of profound relief.

Tahlia Avolio, poised to become one of the nation's pioneering privately endorsed midwives, sees this initiative as a catalyst for transformative change. By ensuring continuity of care throughout pregnancy, midwives like Tahlia are poised to revolutionize birthing experiences for First Nations women nationwide.

This groundbreaking endeavor is spearheaded by Waminda, the country's premier Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization, dedicated to culturally grounded care. Through their visionary model, endorsed midwives are anticipated to shepherd approximately 90 First Nations babies into the world at Shoalhaven Hospital this year alone.

For Hayley Longbottom, an executive at Waminda and proud Jerrinja Cullunghutti Wandandian woman, this initiative is a pivotal step towards reclaiming birthing rights and empowering First Nations women.

This is why we do what we do. Nothing is more important than our women birthing in a safe, self-determined space," Hayley asserted passionately. "This is the resistance and this is the fight.

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by sobering statistics revealing the stark disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes between First Nations and non-Indigenous communities. With First Nations babies nearly twice as likely to face premature birth or early mortality, and First Nations women disproportionately at risk during childbirth, the imperative for culturally sensitive care has never been clearer.

As Australia embarks on this transformative journey towards equitable healthcare, the empowerment of First Nations women in reclaiming their birthing experiences stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and progress.

Waminda's Birthing on Country initiative stands as a beacon of empowerment, poised to reshape the narrative surrounding maternal and infant health outcomes within First Nations communities. For Hayley Longbottom, the driving force behind this transformative endeavor, the mission is clear: to reclaim agency and implement practices that prioritize the well-being of their people.

It's really important that we're able to do what we know is right for our people," Hayley emphasized, underscoring the intrinsic value of community-led solutions.

The journey towards Birthing on Country began eight years ago, with Waminda tirelessly advocating for change. Now, with the signing of an access agreement between Waminda and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD), a groundbreaking precedent has been set. Endorsed midwives from Waminda will now have "visiting rights" at Shoalhaven Hospital, bridging the gap in continuity of care that has long plagued First Nations birthing experiences.

Angela Jones, ISLHD's maternity manager, heralds this partnership as a revolutionary step towards fixing what she describes as a "broken pathway" in maternal healthcare. The integration of culturally sensitive midwifery practices promises not only seamless care but also improved outcomes across the board.

You have reduced interventions, better outcomes for women, improvements in birth weights, improvements in breastfeeding and psychosocial wellbeing," Angela explains, highlighting the myriad benefits of a consistent, trusted midwife throughout the entire birthing journey.

This landmark service extends its reach beyond First Nations babies, embracing all expectant mothers seeking holistic and culturally attuned care. Melanie Briggs, Waminda's senior endorsed midwife and the first Aboriginal endorsed midwife in NSW, acknowledges the hurdles overcome to bring Birthing on Country to fruition.

We've had to work with the government to try and formulate intrapartum insurance for the midwives that are employed here and it's very expensive," Melanie reflects, acknowledging the persistence required to navigate systemic barriers and institutional racism.

Despite the challenges encountered along the way, Melanie remains steadfast in her conviction that Birthing on Country will revolutionize maternity care, making it safer and more inclusive for all women.

This will change the way our women and our babies are treated," Melanie asserts with determination. "And what works for our women will work for everybody.

Looking ahead, the midwifery program is just the beginning of a larger vision to establish a birthing center, offering First Nations women the option to birth away from hospital settings and reintegrate ceremonial practices into the birthing process. With plans underway for the construction of this center in South Nowra, the dawn of a new era in maternal healthcare draws ever closer.

As Waminda continues to champion indigenous-led initiatives, the promise of Birthing on Country serves as a testament to the power of community-driven solutions in effecting meaningful change.

In conclusion, Waminda's Birthing on Country initiative represents a pivotal moment in the journey towards equitable and culturally sensitive maternal healthcare for First Nations communities. Through tireless advocacy and perseverance, Waminda has forged unprecedented partnerships with healthcare institutions, paving the way for transformative change. With endorsed midwives now granted access to Shoalhaven Hospital, the stage is set for a paradigm shift in birthing experiences, characterized by continuity of care, cultural affirmation, and improved outcomes for all mothers and babies. As the program expands and evolves, with plans for a dedicated birthing center on the horizon, the vision of reclaiming birthing rights and restoring ceremony to the practice becomes increasingly tangible. With each milestone achieved, Waminda reaffirms its commitment to empowering First Nations women and their communities, ensuring that every birthing journey is met with dignity, respect, and the celebration of cultural heritage.