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Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ngangkiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Ngangkita Ngartu (Aboriginal Family Birthing Program)

AFBU 1

Ngangkita Ngartu, the Aboriginal Family Birthing Program at the WCH provides antenatal and postnatal care in a culturally sensitive environment, with the support of Aboriginal Maternal Infant Care Practitioners/Workers/Trainees, midwives and doctors.

Ngangkita Ngartu, Aboriginal Family Birthing Program at the Women's and Children's Hospital supports you through your pregnancy journey and will care for you and your family in a culturally sensitive environment, with the support of Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care Practitioners/Workers/Trainees, midwives, and doctors.

Around 250 Aboriginal babies are born at the Women's and Children’s Hospital each year.

Ngangkita Ngartu is the Kaurna name for this service, which means "caring for Aboriginal women during pregnancy, a program based on Aboriginal Culture Grandmothers Law."

What we do

Aboriginal families having their baby at the Women's and Children's Hospital have access to South Australia’s first ever purpose-built unit.

Ngangkita Ngartu provides a place for culturally appropriate care. We help in supporting your birth plan, ensuring that your cultural requirements are heard and maintained throughout your entire journey. We provide culturally competent and holistic care that includes you, your baby and all the other cultural elements that are important for you to have and help you on your pregnancy journey.

You will be surrounded by the support of Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care (AMIC) Practitioners/Workers/Trainees who work closely with the midwives and medical consultants to inform and advocate for your cultural necessities.

AMIC will keep a consistent relationship with you over the phone, in person or via text:

  • During antenatal visits
  • Throughout your labour and birth
  • And when you are with your baby on the ward or at home

Your pregnancy journey will continue after birth as you decide to link in with our support networks in Nunkuwarrin Yunti (08 8406 1600) and Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS) on 1300 733 606.

If you think you are pregnant:

The first step is to contact one of the below to confirm your pregnant and request a referral.

  • Community Controlled Organisation
  • Aboriginal Health Service
  • Private GP clinic

Then contact the Pregnancy SA Infoline on 1300 368 820 or call Ngangkita Ngartu Aboriginal Family Birthing Program at Women's and Children’s Hospital on 08 8161 7948.

How to access Ngangkita Ngartu

Making an appointment

Ngangkita Ngartu will arrange an appointment with an AMIC by calling 08 8161 7948.

  • Hours
    Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.00pm
  • Location
    Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 2nd Floor, Queen Victoria Building, North Adelaide

Wongganga Turtipandi – call 08 8240 9611

At any time throughout your pregnancy if you are worried about bleeding, can’t feel the baby move, are not able to eat, feeling faint or lacking in energy, contact the Women's Assessment Service on 08 8161 7530.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or virtually from 8.00am to 4.00pm, 7 days a week.

For virtual support, visit Virtual Women's Assessment Service.

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Making an appointment

What to expect at your appointments

If you are in the early stages of your pregnancy it is most likely that an AMIC and midwife will see you the first time you visit the hospital.

Make sure you book an appointment with an AMIC who can support you through your pregnancy journey.

  • You should allow 2 – 3 hours when you come to antenatal clinic appointments
  • Make sure you bring your Pregnancy Hand-held Record book to all your appointments
  • Your first visit with the AMIC will involve:
    • recording some personal details, your medical, obstetric and family history
    • receiving a Pregnancy Hand-held Record which is the health record for your pregnancy
    • calculation of the estimated date your baby will be born
    • discussion about the choices you have for the type of pregnancy care and birthing options
    • discussion about parent education classes and other services
    • discussion about general health issues
    • assessment of your need for referral to other services
    • discussion about screening tests during pregnancy.

You can also attend our Outreach clinic on Mondays – Wongganga Turtipandi on 08 8240 9611 which comprises of a culturally safe, primary health service available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and is open Monday to Friday, from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

All services are delivered free of charge.

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Birthing

If you want to change your birth plan or have concerns about your birth contact your AMIC.

Call the hospital straight away if you feel you are at the stage of giving birth.

  • Bring for you
    • Pregnancy hand-held record, warm casual clothes, sleeping clothes, toiletries, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, sanitary pads.
  • Bring for your baby
    • Nappies, x 2 singlets, x 2 long sleeved jumpsuits, baby care products (wipes, creams), beanie and mittens.
    • We encourage you to breastfeed, however if you choose not to, please bring one tin of infant feeding formula, 2 feeding bottles, screw caps and teats.

Your partner and/or support person are encouraged to stay with you during your labour and the birth of your baby. This is a very personal and special time for you and your partner. AMIC will also work closely with you to support you through this special time.

If you arrive unprepared, our AMIC and Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) or Social Workers can support you.

Please note: AMIC support has to be pre-arranged.

Your baby will remain by your bedside (room in). This allows you and your family to get to know and enjoy your new baby. AMIC and Midwives will support you with the practical aspects of caring for your baby. Your baby will be carefully examined by the doctor or midwife soon after birth and again before you go home.

Before going home you will be given a birth registration form, a maternity allowance and maternity immunisation allowance claim form, a Medicare enrolment form, and a WCH notification of newborn's surname form. AMIC will help you with all the forms that will be presented to you after birth. You don't need to sign anything if it is not clear what it is for.

Provided you and your baby are healthy, home is best! It is usual to stay in hospital two to three days after the birth of your baby. Some women choose to go home soon after their baby is born, however you must stay in hospital for at least 4 hours.

Postnatal care

Your dedicated AMIC will continue your care after your hospital stay and will organise home visits.

Most women require one to three visits (dependant on your length of stay in hospital) and are then encouraged to follow up with medical check ups when baby is 2 weeks and 6 weeks old.

AMIC will contact you once you are settled at home and organise a time to visit. AMIC offer care up to 6 weeks post-partum.

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Important information

If you don’t feel safe or you weren’t given the right care, you have rights. You can safely report this to your AMIC.

Other options include:

Our Aboriginal Cultural Identity

AFBU cultural identity

The Aboriginal Family Birthing Program is represented in WCHN's Aboriginal Cultural Identity artwork – the waves of clients going into the circle represent pregnant women and families' connection with the program, while the other wave going out with smaller symbols of people represent the journey of birthing babies.