Carnarvon maternity shutdown: Mum Bronwyn Brankovic explains birthing experience away from home in Geraldton

Carnarvon hospital’s maternity shutdown is putting unfair pressure on expectant parents, including one of dozens of women who were forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to give birth. Bronwyn Brankovic gave birth to her third child — daughter Shae — in April, away from home in Geraldton. Four weeks before the birth, Mrs Brankovic was shocked when she was told she would have to travel to Geraldton or Perth to deliver because of the town’s midwife shortage. Mrs Brankovic said she believes people in Carnarvon deserve health facilities closer to home. Luckily for Mrs Brankovic, her husband Ash was able to re-arrange his work swing to be there for their daughter’s arrival. But she says for some, making alternative arrangements isn’t an easy task. Carnarvon’s shortage of midwives has not eased, forcing expectant women in their last month of pregnancy to travel hundreds of kilometres to deliver their baby, with flights unavailable for pregnancies over 36 weeks. Women are expected to drive five hours for the closest midwifery services based in Geraldton, or endure a 10-hour trip to Perth. There were no issues or abnormalities with Mrs Brankovic’s third pregnancy, and she said without family support nearby she wouldn’t have known what to do before her delivery. Older children Marcus and Amelia were able to be with their grandmother while her father watched over their Carnarvon property. “Luckily, they didn’t miss out on any school. I feel awful for those women who don’t have the family support network that I do,” she said. But Mrs Brankovic said she missed out on Easter with her family while she remained in Geraldton. As far as Mrs Brankovic is aware, every woman from Carnarvon about to give birth must make the same travel arrangements. In August, Minister for Health Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson confirmed in Parliament that 71 women had travelled to Geraldton or Perth for birth since the cancellation of maternity services in February. “(Travelling) puts a lot more pressure on you. One thing I was worried about was if I went into labour early and Ash wasn’t down there with me was getting from my accommodation in Geraldton to the hospital,” Mrs Brankovic said. “As an expectant mother you don’t need that added stress in any stage of your pregnancy. Being told you can’t have certain comforts such as being home for those final weeks while you are nesting or having someone in the labour ward.” Mrs Brankovic said this time around, it was difficult without her mother in the room, unlike her prior births. On top of that, with COVID restrictions still in place, Mrs Brankovic was only allowed two persons to visit a day. “Having the plans put in place, knowing the midwives going into the labour room with you and being in your own hometown and sleep in your own bed the day before is so comforting,” she said. “Being in a hotel, or a foreign place adds that layer of stress.” Mrs Brankovic couldn’t comprehend how an expectant mother born and raised in a small town could have a handle on the stress if they travelled to a metropolitan hospital for their first time. Thankfully, the Brankovics’ expenses were fully reimbursed by the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme — eventually. “At the time I was told PATS would only cover $110 per night, the room that I requested was $130 a night, which was really good over the long weekends,” she said. PATS later contacted the family post-birth to pay the full costs of accommodation expenses. Mrs Brankovic said she also received $150 worth of fuel vouchers, covering most of her travel costs. She described the experience as a “s***storm”, and said the main concern was not having the health facilities that were needed. “Women from Exmouth, Coral Bay, Gascoyne Junction come into Carnarvon to get their health checks, and now they are having to travel further,” she said. “I really hope that more people go into midwifery and are able to help with this crisis.” Admitting Carnarvon’s crime rate was a factor, she said people were put off travelling, as well as the town’s housing shortage. “We are a fantastic town, we should have the resources to provide,” she said. WA Country Health Service Mid West regional director Rachele Ferrari said she could confirm there were four midwives currently working at Carnarvon Health Campus. She said WACHS offered a range of incentives to encourage rural employment. “WACHS offers a range of incentives, including financial, to attract healthcare workers to the Mid West. Often this includes covering travel, vehicle and accommodation costs,” she said. “We also offer professional development opportunities and study leave, flexible leave and working arrangements, on call and call back payments and district allowances.” WACHS confirmed the service would be re-established as soon as possible with no plans to permanently remove the service.