By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA mothers who have experienced the nerve-wracking car ride to Nambour Hospital to give birth, are echoing calls for a birthing centre to be built at Noosa Hospital.
Their stories are harrowing to say the least, with one example of a mother who recently gave birth in her car while parked on the side of the road at the Doonan turn-off – and all because Nambour was too far away.
Others range from stressful situations driving to Nambour, or having to be rushed through the childbirth process in order to provide space for the next child to be born.
Reading the Noosa Today article last week (7 August) under the “Healthy Need” prompted Fit For Birth co-ordinator Karen Shlegeris, to phone the newspaper.
Mrs Shlegeris is an experienced pregnancy yoga teacher and childbirth educator in Noosa.
She has heard dozens of stories from Noosa mothers who support the idea of improving Noosa Hospital with a birthing centre and easing the weight placed on Nambour Hospital.
“Women in the wider Noosa area want the option to receive maternity care and give birth to their babies closer to home,” she said.
Mrs Shlegeris says she fears the drive for would-be mums will become worse once Nambour’s birthing centre is closed in 2016, and shifted to the new Kawana Hospital.
“Currently they have a good half-hour drive or more to the private hospital at Buderim or the public hospital at Nambour,” she said.
“When the Nambour Hospital maternity unit moves to the new hospital at Kawana, the drive will be even longer.”
However, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Kevin Hegarty said separating birthing services complicated recruitment and retention of staff.
“These staff include obstetricians but also specialities supporting maternity services such as anaesthetics, paediatrics and neonatology,” he said.
“Private facilities care for approximately 32 per cent of deliveries for Sunshine Coast/Gympie residents with public facilities delivering 68 per cent.”
Noosa Today took time out with the new parents to hear their stories and birthing experiences and will present these stories over the next five editions.
Your thoughts: Do you have a birthing story to share with us? Or do you support the idea of a birthing centre at Noosa Hospital? Send your thoughts or letters to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au.
