An Outreach Midwifery Program for Homeless, Pregnant Young Women in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne

Abstract

In this paper, the background, planning, and implementation of an outreach midwifery service for homeless, pregnant, young women in the northern metropolitan area of Melbourne is described. Research in the north east region of Melbourne had shown the large number of pregnant, homeless, young women, particularly in the West Heidelberg area (McDonald, 1992). Conventional antenatal services were not accessed by these women. They did not attend ante or postnatal classes and frequently missed hospital and medical appointments due to their transient lifestyle and lack of transport. This diminished the opportunity for favourable obstetric outcomes and could have undermined the ability for adequate parenting. The aim of the outreach program was to access the women in the appropriate settings, which might be a school, a refuge, a special accommodation centre, or in some cases a detention centre. The midwife would provide ante and postnatal education and support tailored to individual needs, make appropriate referrals to other agencies, provide practical assistance, such as transport, and be an advocate on behalf of the women where necessary. The main achievements of the program have been the provision of accessible and appropriate ante and postnatal care to a group of young women, who would not otherwise have accessed such services. Further, valuable links have been established with a variety of community agencies, enabling a more co-ordinated approach to client care.