Birthing on country – new midwifery scrubs launched to support First Nations mums
"We know firsthand, the impact of having a First Nations Midwife is immeasurable."
In a bid to raise the profile of First Nations midwives and in turn better support Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander mums-to-be, Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund (RLIMCF) has joined forces with Huggies® Australia to launch Sister Scrubs.
The campaign ties in with International Day of the Midwife on May 5, and aims to raise the profile of the need for more First Nations Midwives who play a critcal role in improving the health and wellbing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infant mortality rates in Australia are unacceptably high,” said Melanie Briggs, the first endorsed Aboriginal midwife in NSW.
“We know firsthand, the impact of having a First Nations midwife is immeasurable and can directly impact birthing outcomes and the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and their parents. Visibility is incredibly important and we’re hoping the creation of the Huggies® Sister Scrubs will not only highlight our cause, but actively help us deliver more culturally appropriate care across the country.”
Melanie Briggs (left) was the first endorsed Aboriginal midwife in NSW, pictured here with Kady Colman.
The nation as a whole is moving increasingly towards celebrating and supporting the privilege of living on Aboriginal land, and Huggies’ partnership with RLIMCF reflects the charitable fund’s ethos to help create ‘a better start in life’ by ‘closing the gap’ for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies.
“Our birthing on country model is embedding within our broader model of care,” Melanie Briggs tells Bounty Parents. “This allows a complete wrap around, whole-of-life approach that is individually tailored. We have been advocating for birthing on country for more than five years and it’s now time for action and investment to give our mothers and babies the opportunity for a cultural birth guided by ancient traditional ways.”
Did you know…?
- First Nations women are two to five times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth, compared with other women.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies are two times more likely to die in their first year.
- The impact of having a First Nations Midwife is immeasurable and can significantly improve birth outcomes and the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
“We hope Huggies® Sister Scrubs will bring this issue into national focus, as a rally to promote the need for vital culturally appropriate care and greater representation of First Nations Midwives in the Australian health system, with the long-term ambition for our Huggies Sister Scrubs to be distributed nationally in the future”, says Belinda Driscoll, Kimberly-Clark ANZ Managing Director.
The Huggies® Sister Scrubs design is based on the original artwork by Leona McGrath and adapted by Yilay, a 100% Aboriginal-owned designer and manufacturer.
First Nations artist,mother and midwife, Leona McGrath designed the ‘sister’ scrubs that will make First Nations midwives instantly identifiable in hospitals all over Australia.
“I am proud to be involved in this collaboration,” she said. “This unique design will remind the community about our ambition to support midwives in their studies, the importance of family and support networks and the incredible impact First Nations Midwives have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and babies.”
During May 2022, for every Jumbo pack of Huggies Newborn and Infant Nappies sold in Coles, $2 will be donated towards RLIMCF to educate more First Nations Midwives, to improve birth outcomes and the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
You can learn more about the Huggies Sister Scrubs campaign and the RLIMCF Midwifery Scholarships here.
