[ozmidwifery] Re Young Parents Program

[Jim O'Neill]

Dear Sue and list, This is my d�but on this list, though I have been a reader of great enthusiasm for months now, probably a year or more. The unit I have worked in for the last 7 years has had a couple of different approaches in that time , All of which I have rotated through for a time.  Currently I and another very enthusiastic midwife share the program.  Since we took over (2-3 months) there have been approximately 30 odd pregnant teens known to us at any one time.  As of 1 month ago we now have the whole of Thursday ( up on half the day)  to devote to these young women and their support people.           Mornings are spent :- following up on new clients booked in since last week, or making contact with those we get to hear about via the grape vine.                                    - phoning or visiting mums and their babies ( up to about 2-3 weeks ). This is to ensure that they are OK and are being followed up and for those who need it, referral to a child and family health nurse who will usually have met the women during their pregnancy and who has the roll of caring for these young families from then on. Many of the older teens go through the mainstream system as seen appropriate, i.e.. good support etc.                                    - where necessary we visit at home during the pregnancy if we can't reach them any other way or even drive them to have their various tests done at pathology if transport is an issue.                                     - visiting those adolescence that choose to use the main antenatal clinic, (we do try to encourage them to attend our clinic.)  We do target the client who go to the obs. privately and invite them to our education sessions especially if they have declined the regular classes.                                                                    - liaising with other community support services                                    - Preparing for an education session of about half an hour for the afternoon midwives clinic (held in the community)                                    - preparing for the midwife clinic where the other midwife  and I (on alternate weeks) look after the pregnancy care of the young women.                                     - and book work, stats etc.  (THE ETERNAL BUG BEAR)               The afternoon is spent at the clinic ( 3 midwives , me, the aboriginal midwife and the main stream midwife..... there is a obstetrician there but he is fairly midwife friendly....just does first visits or deals with any high risk problems....but does not take over care , he sees it as his afternoon off.) This is when we try to get the girls together for education but also to hopefully develop a peer support group.              Previous to "us" the YPG (young parents group) had lacked a little enthusiasm by the previous midwife..... It is hard and the rewards  sometimes need to be looked for in the form of just getting to see a client.  So we are having fun getting up to speed and would love any suggestions that those on the list might have.  Some of our girls have done really well ... I get a little possessive.             When we work on days other than Thursday we both try to care for any YPG clients in.  We hope to catch them in labour and for those girls with very difficult circumstances we put a note on their notes for the staff to call us (if not on duty)  if the client wishes.             Sue feel free to email me privately if you wish.       Wow that was long (months worth I guess).          Katy.