Pregnancy & Maternity Care

My Baby WA Pregnancy App

Informed choice is a key focus for the Health Consumers Council, and we recognise that women and families are not always aware of all their maternity care choices. We are excited to announce that we have been working with the WA Womens and Newborns Health network and WA Country Health Service to develop the My Baby WA Pregnancy app. This app is designed to ensure that people know what their maternity care choices are whether they are in Kelleberrin or Karratha, Karrinyup or Kulin. Through the app people can access a digitalised version of the Pregnancy, Birth and Your Baby book that was developed by Womens and Newborns Health Network. This validated information is delivered at the right time during pregnancy making it relevant to the user. The app provides a link for women from the moment they find out they’re pregnant and continues to provide support once they engage with their chosen care provider. The app launched on 13th June 2021 with a massive initial response. We are now partnering across the whole health system to keep on building on the success of this app.

The app can be downloaded on iPhone or Android.

International Patient Safety Day Q&A Panel – Maternal and newborn safety

To mark World Patient Safety Day 2021, and the theme of safe maternal and newborn care, in partnership with AHPRA and Women’s and Newborns Health Network, Health Consumers’ Council convened a Q&A panel discussion exploring maternal and childbirth care.

We explored topics such as Aboriginal women’s experiences of childbirth, the impact of COVID on birthing women, why women and families’ feedback is important and how it changes things. We also confirmed the importance of education, and of involving birthing women and families at all stages and at all levels in designing and evaluating maternity services.

Consumer Involvement in Policy and Services

We have a Facebook Group for women and families who would like to be more involved in helping shape our services. You can join this group here.

National Strategic Approach to Maternity Services

We have been involved with this national strategy as much as possible, although it has been some time since there was an update. The final document, is making its way through the approvals process. You can find out more by looking on this page.