Carnarvon's birthing crisis: families forced to travel hundreds of kilometres for maternity care

New parents in Carnarvon are struggling with the mental and physical health impacts of having to travel long distances to give birth, with birthing services at the local hospital suspended for almost five years.

The services were put on hold in February 2022 due to a shortage of midwives and obstetricians, forcing expectant parents to take extra leave from work and travel over 1,000km to give birth. Local residents Tarlia Hill and Michael Wilkins are preparing to make the same journey to have their first child in Geraldton.

“I’m a bit scared of being in a car for that long that close to having my baby,” Ms Hill said.

“I’ve already had quite a few complications with the pregnancy and have been very sick.”

Despite a difficult pregnancy, Ms Hill said the lack of services in Carnarvon had affected her the most.

“You’re supposed to be excited and I haven’t been excited at all,” she said.

“It makes me feel a bit guilty. Going away has just kind of ruined the whole first-baby experience.”

Ms Hill added that she had a good support system, but was concerned about other mums who may not have the same level of support.

Mr Wilkins said he and his partner could not afford to use the WA’s Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), which had caused them significant financial stress.

“The birth was costing us about $10,000, and paying several thousand dollars more for accommodation up-front was not possible,” he said.

The couple have now had their accommodation paid in full, but are worried about finding and paying for more accommodation if their baby is late.

“I’ve got no leave really behind me, and due to my position at work, I can’t access parental leave or anything to support us while we’re down there,” Mr Wilkins said.

“No-one should have to go away from their town to have a baby, and the option should really be everywhere for everyone.”

Jessica Halpin, who has already gone through the experience of travelling to give birth, said she was “lucky” to have been provided accommodation at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH).

“Before I gave birth, it was fine,” Ms Halpin said.

“After giving birth, with all your hormones changing and crashing, that was hard because I was quite anxious.”

Ms Halpin said explaining her pregnancy to a different midwife at every appointment took a toll, and that having a local midwife who knew her throughout her pregnancy would have been beneficial.

A spokesperson for WA Country Health Service (WACHS) said the organisation had supported 359 women from the region to give birth at a location of their choice since the suspension of birthing services.

The spokesperson said WACHS was committed to re-establishing birthing services and was actively recruiting to fill workforce gaps.

Mid-West MP Shane Love said that families in his electorate were telling him that they were having to shell out thousands of dollars up front and wait months before they could claim that money back.

“It’s simply not good enough and the government needs to lift its game,” Mr Love said.

“I don’t think they are trying very hard. If they were, they would have someone there. 1,700 days is a long time to run a recruitment process.”