New year baby joy

CHARLOTTE Joy Irvin is the first baby born for 2016 at Leongatha Hospital.

She was born on Monday, January 4 to Shelley Price and Grant Irvin of Leongatha, and arrived after her due date on Christmas Eve.

“It is a very exciting time for us,” new mum Shelley said.

Charlotte arrived at 10.30pm, weighing 3650gms.

Federation University second year midwifery student Vanessa Davidson was involved in caring and supporting Shelley during her pregnancy and after the birth.

Ms Davidson has been working for Gippsland Southern Health Service since starting her studies as a midwife at the beginning of last year, having previously worked in general nursing.

“I follow women through their pregnancies. I also attend appointments with them, help with the labour and birth of their babies and also assist with post natal care,” she said.

Ms Davidson devotes two days a week at the hospital and supports mothers during the birth of their baby.

“I have always wanted to be a midwife. It is such a positive environment and atmosphere,” she said.

Leongatha Hospital last year also offered placements to midwifery students Penelope Webb and Dayna Leatham, who have since graduated from their studies to continue their careers in midwifery.

Midwife Linda Fiddelaers said some student midwives are offered employment with Gippsland Southern Health Service.

“There is always a shortage of midwives in the area. We want to encourage students to work here so we can continue to offer services locally, so women do not need to travel to give birth,” Ms Fiddelaers said.

Exciting time: from left, midwifery student Vanessa Davidson helped Shelley Price during her pregnancy and after the birth of her daughter Charlotte Joy Irvin on Monday, January 4. Charlotte is the first baby to be born at Leongatha Hospital in 2016.

Short URL: /?p=17322

Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Jan 12 2016. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry