ABOUT ANDREA - Andrea Quanchi Independent Midwife, Maternal & Child Health Nurse

I have been a midwife since 1984, initially in Melbourne before moving to Echuca in 1989. I am married to Ian and we have three children, Peter, Hannah and Stuart.

A midwife's role is to be with women and this involves so much more than the actual moment of birth. I found that meeting women for the first time in labour was frustrating as it did not allow us to get to know each other in a way that provided mutual trust and respect and this had a detrimental effect on the labour and birth for the woman and her family. I continue to work part time as a midwife in a hospital environment but find that this does not let me practice midwifery the way I believe it can best be practiced.

In 1999 I made the decision to become a Midwife in Private Practice . This means that I meet women during their pregnancy and regularly spend time with them and their families. These visits are in their own homes,* at a time that suits them, and can involve other people whom they want to share the experience with. The visits include physical checks of mother and baby and sharing of information so that by the time a woman is in labour she is more than prepared, and confident in her ability, to give birth and become a mother.

To birth well women need to feel safe and to feel safe you need to be surrounded by people you know and trust. Wherever women choose to birth, whether at home or in hospital, it is trust in themselves and those around them that has been shown to make all the difference. This trust can only be developed over time and is an important part of the time spent together during pregnancy.

Following birth, care continues as the parents learn to care for their new baby and breast feeding is established. Women can then choose to have me continue care of mother, baby and family in my role as a maternal & child health nurse.

Having a baby does not stop at birth. Many changes are occurring in your lives and families need to know that help is available to get through the challenging times. This may be as simple as learning settling techniques and getting you and your baby some sleep but may also involve relationship issues and changing family dynamics.

 

"A mother takes her children's hand for a little while and their hearts forever "
Offering midwifery & maternal child health services to the Echuca and surrounding areas.