Story

Australia is one of the safest places in the world for a baby to be born, however every day in Australia, 6 babies are stillborn and 2 die within 28 days of birth (neonatal death). Midwifery continuity of care has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of stillbirth by between 16% and 25% and has been included as a foundational element in stillbirth reduction programs across the world.

The Rainbow Baby Project has been developed in loving memory of Austin Moore, Layla Youngman and My Midwives angel babies, to support families to have their rainbow baby.

My Midwives along with Elle TENS are committed to exploring ways to secure ongoing funding of the Rainbow Baby Project, nationally. It is our desire to support all families who have previously experienced a stillbirth or newborn loss, to access midwifery continuity of care for their subsequent pregnancy. This will not only reduce the risk of stillbirth, but also to support the family during pregnancy, birth & early parenting after their previous loss.

My Midwives vision is for all women and their families have access to an optimal start to their family journey through excellence in midwifery services and continuity of care by 2025.

Elle Tens is a medical device company dedicated to providing support and care to mothers, through the relief of pain. The device is recommended pain management in labour by midwives and obstetricians.

This project was originally conceived and developed during meetings between My Midwives Managing Director Liz Wilkes and the team at Elle TENS. Elle TENS have been involved with Sydney 2 CAMberra since its launch and having still parents on their senior executive team. In partnership, Elle TENS and My Midwives secured pilot funding from Sydney 2 CAMberra. My Midwives will be the operational force to deliver the Rainbow Baby Project to 10 families over the next 12 months. Those on the pilot will receive midwifery continuity of care, for pregnancy which follows a stillbirth or newborn loss.

The focus of the program is on contact and relational care – the woman and family do not need to explain their story over and over. The midwife is completely cognisant of a need for additional reassurance related to the families previous experiences including but not limited to additional fetal monitoring and potentially alterations to timingor mode of birth.

Evidence demonstrates these additional supports decrease mental health issues and increase women’s satisfaction in their care.