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Birthing in rural S outh A ustralia: The changing landscape over 20 years
Author(s) -
Sweet Linda P.,
Boon Virginia A.,
Brinkworth Vanessa,
Sutton Sarah,
Werner Allison F.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/ajr.12214
Subject(s) - residence , unit (ring theory) , quarter (canadian coin) , rural area , geography , maternity care , place of birth , pregnancy , medicine , birth order , socioeconomics , presentation (obstetrics) , demography , health care , population , environmental health , economic growth , psychology , sociology , obstetrics , mathematics education , archaeology , pathology , biology , economics , genetics
Objective To map trends in the maternity service availability for rural women in S outh A ustralia and identify the frequency of women birthing outside of their region of residence. Design A retrospective review of birth location for rural S outh A ustralian women from 1991 to 2010. Setting Rural maternity units in S outh A ustralia. Participants Birthing statistics from the P regnancy O utcomes S tatistics U nit in S outh A ustralia Main outcome measures Rural birth statistics, including place of birth in relation to place of residence and location of maternity units. Results Over 60% of maternity units across rural S outh A ustralia have closed since 1991. There has been a rise in the percentage of women birthing away from their usual region of residence, rising from 18% in 1991–1995 to 24% in 2006–2010. Conclusions This study has revealed that almost one quarter of all women residing in rural S outh A ustralia relocate to another area to give birth. This is a significant concern for rural women and their families through the expectation of separation, and for the local health services who might now not have the facilities and skills to manage an unplanned maternity presentation. These concerns need to be considered and addressed in order to provide safe and effective care for child‐bearing women regardless of location.