The Family Birth Centre (FBC) at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) is a unique maternity care facility that offers a home-like environment for women deemed ‘low risk’. The FBC operates under a Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model, providing continuity of care from a known midwife working within a team of experienced registered midwives. The philosophy of the FBC emphasizes personalized and individualized care, supporting the natural process of childbirth with a focus on normalcy and careful assessment of any complications.
At the FBC, women have the opportunity to experience childbirth in a supportive and nurturing setting, with options for water birth, analgesic injections, and gas and air for pain relief. The facility boasts four birth rooms and encourages the involvement of support persons during labor and birth, including the presence of other children if desired. After the birth, families can enjoy early discharge within 4 to 6 hours, with the baby remaining with the mother throughout the stay. Postnatal care is also provided, including home visits by FBC midwives or the Visiting Midwifery Service to support new mothers in the first five days after birth.
The FBC prides itself on offering a comprehensive range of services, including antenatal visits, parent education classes, and support for breastfeeding and newborn care. The center’s commitment to continuity of care from a known midwife ensures a positive and supportive partnership between the midwife and the expectant mother. With a focus on normal childbirth and individualized care, the FBC at KEMH provides a holistic approach to maternity care, integrating specialist services and support from General Practitioners, Obstetricians, and Paediatricians when needed.
