Miranda MP Eleni Petinos showed her support and gratitude for a group of hardworking women at Sutherland Hospital this month.
Ms Petinos visited the hospital to thanks its midwives for their valuable service to new mums and dads of Sutherland Shire.
Her visit marked International Day of the Midwife (May 5), which recognised the role midwives play in providing support to parents and their babies.
Established by the International Confederation of Midwives in 1992, the annual event is an occasion for midwives to celebrate their profession and to promote the importance of midwifery to a woman’s experience of childbirth and early parenting.
“There are more than 10,000 midwives in NSW who currently work in our public hospitals and take part in the more than 90,000 births that take place across NSW every year,” Ms Petinos said.
“As any woman who has had a baby or any partner who has supported her would know - midwives play a critical role during this life-changing experience.
“They provide invaluable advice and care during pregnancy and great comfort during labour - not to mention a cool head and a steady pair of hands in those vital first hours and days after a baby is born.”
This year’s theme for International Day of the Midwife is Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery.
It reflects the importance of every woman and every newborn having access to the best possible care before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
“This day is set aside to honour midwives, but of course women and their families have reason to give thanks for midwives every day of the year,” Ms Petinos said.
“Kindness and compassion shown to a woman and her family by her midwife at this time can and does make such a difference.”