UQ midwifery students help deliver better health outcomes

Nursing and midwifery students from The University of Queensland recently donated their time to prepare birthing kits for expectant mothers in developing nations around the world.

The nine students and three clinical lecturers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery volunteered to assemble birthing kits after learning about the circumstances of women giving birth in poverty or isolated areas.

Approximately half a million women die of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth each year, with most of these deaths occurring as a result of preventable infections.

According to Bachelor of Midwifery and Dual Degree Coordinator Susannah Brady, access to maternity care for women in developing countries dramatically impacts postnatal health and infant mortality outcomes.

“The contribution made by the students will help provide a safer, cleaner birthing environment, and improve birthing outcomes for mothers and babies in countries where access to infant and maternal care is virtually non-existent,” Ms Brady said.

“A cleaner birthing environment can greatly help decrease the risk of infection and bleeding," she said.

“The students really wanted to make a difference, even in a small way, and the birthing kits will mean that women living in extreme poverty or in geographically isolated areas will have access to some form of health care during delivery.”

The Birthing kits are an initiative of Zonta and Zonta International and include a plastic sheet for the mother to lie on, soap, gloves, gauze squares, string and a sterile scalpel blade.

Information or media: Lya McTaggart (School of Nursing and Midwifery; 07 3365 5084 or lya.mctaggart@uq.edu.au)