A culturally tailored maternity care model shown to increase healthy births for First
Nations mothers and babies is being expanded in regional Victoria, building on research led by La Trobe University.
The new Dhelkuk Dangatuk Baring or “Healthy New Journey” program, led by Bendigo Health, is based on the successful Baggarrook Yurrongi model, which has supported more than 1000 First Nations women and families through three Victorian metropolitan health services.
The Dhelkuk Dangatuk Baring model will provide First Nations women and families across the Loddon Mallee with continuity of care from a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Recent research led by La Trobe’s Judith Lumley Centre found women receiving care through the Baggarrook Yurrongi model were more likely to have a healthy birth, with fewer babies born preterm, at low birthweight or requiring admission to a neonatal intensive care unit.
Lead researcher Professor Della Forster said expanding the model into regional Victoria was an important step towards improving maternity care for First Nations families.
“The evidence is clear that culturally tailored continuity of midwifery care leads to better outcomes for women and babies,” Professor Forster said.
“It’s exciting to see this approach being expanded through Dhelkuk Dangatuk Baring, bringing together community knowledge, cultural safety and evidence-based care to support families across the Loddon Mallee.”
This next phase of the Baggarrook Yurrongi program is supported by $2.9 million from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), in addition to contributions by the state government and philanthropic investment, to expand culturally safe continuity of midwifery care for First Nations families across Victoria.
Developed in collaboration with local First Nations communities, Aboriginal health partners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Dhelkuk Dangatuk Baring combines lived experience, clinical expertise, education and research to strengthen maternity services and improve outcomes for women, babies and families across the region.
