Mackay Base Hospital - Queensland Centre for Mothers & Babies

Part C: Attention from Care ProvidersAttention from care providers refers to the nature of contact with maternity care providers women have during labour, birth andthe postnatal stay in hospital. Having sufficient contact between women and care providers is important for building rapport,ensuring consistent provision of care and information, and aiding early detection of potential maternal or infant health needs orrisks.We have reported on two indicators of attention from care providers.Indicator 5: Do women have continuity of carer during labour and birth?Having continuity of carer during labour and birth (i.e. having at least one individual care provider who remains caring for awoman throughout her labour and birth) is highly valued by maternity care consumers in Queensland (Thompson & Wojcieszek,under review).Indicator 6: Are women satisfied with the amount of care during their postnatal stay?Care received during the postnatal stay has been rated less favourably by women in other Australian states than the carereceived during pregnancy, labour and birth (Brown et al., 2005). It is important that women are adequately supported during thistime, particularly given the number of transitions that may be occurring in addition to being in an unfamiliar environment. Thepreferred amount and frequency of support during a postnatal stay may vary across women depending on their individualcircumstances, thus it is important for care providers to be attentive and communicate effectively with women to ensure they arereceiving the right level of attention.17