A culturally safe and accessible pregnancy clinic is now available for Aboriginal women and their families in Perth’s southwest.
The Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) Boodjari Bidi clinic, meaning ‘the pregnancy path’ in Noongar language, was renamed with community consultation and offers culturally safe pregnancy care by midwives supported by maternity Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs). The clinic was formerly named the Aboriginal Maternal Health Program (AMHP).
Boodjari Bidi is more than a service, it is a shared journey that supports First Nations women and their families in a way that honours culture and builds trust, and connection, said FSH A/Coordinator of Nursing and Midwifery Sara Veness.
“Our Boodjari Bidi pregnancy clinic is a space built on respect and cultural safety. Our midwives provide antenatal evidence-based best-practice maternity care, supported by AHPs and the wider Aboriginal Health Strategy team.”
Building community connections and involving Aboriginal members in the redesign of the maternity service for their women was important in providing culturally safe care, said Ms Veness.
“Our AHPs follow women in the clinic right through their pregnancy journey and can be present through the birth and for postnatal follow up. They also support women and families who have babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and paediatric ward.”
Midwives in the Boodjari Bidi clinic provide antenatal continuity of care to women accessing the service which FSH hope to expand in the future, she said.
Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Kira Prosser said the Boodjari Bidi space reflected cultural safety, respect, and recognition where Aboriginal families could be seen, heard, and supported through one of life’s most sacred journeys.
“We walk alongside our women and families. We hold space for their stories, advocate for their needs and make sure culture is not just respected but celebrated.
“Every moment we spend yarning or sitting beside a mum, dad or nan matters. It is how trust is built, and trust is so important when providing culturally safe care.”
Charlene, who is also an AHP at the Fiona Stanley Hospital, is currently pregnant and attending the clinic, which she described as safe and welcoming.
“The Boodjari Bidi program has provided me with culturally safe and supportive care throughout my pregnancy, while also monitoring and promoting the health and wellbeing of me and my baby.”
