AMIHS Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service Kristen Ella & Eda Devoti

Model of providing Antenatal Care within NSW Health to Aboriginal women in a more culturally safe way. Involves a Community Midwife Aboriginal Health Worker (AHW) What is AMIHS?

Provides a flexible service delivery model Engages women earlier in the pregnancy Is a primary health care model Aims to integrate within the Aboriginal Community to build trust and engagement

To link Aboriginal women into antenatal care earlier in their pregnancy To reduce the number of premature infants born To increase the number of Aboriginal women who initiate breastfeeding with their infants To reduce the number of pregnant Aboriginal women who smoke.

Pilot project funded for 3 years commencing July sites across NSW to employ MH & D&A workers and trainees on request to be co- located with the AMIHS midwives and Aboriginal Health Workers Focus on the provision of early intervention MH and D&A services to Aboriginal pregnant women at risk of MH and/or D&A issues AMIHS – MHDAS

Facilitate linking women into appropriate treatment services where there are MH and/or drug use issues Reduce the barriers to referrals into specialist MHDA services Develop strategies and programs that assist the women to focus on the parent – child relationship

The unborn infant The risk factors for foetal brain development during pregnancy Potential Risks for mums and bubs Why is it important to have a Mental Health Worker involved while pregnant?

Attachment between an infant and a primary caregiver(s) begins prior to birth Attachment is necessary for human survival Infants are born predisposed to social interaction The attachment relationship is built on the pattern of emotional interactions between an infant and a caregiver Attachment

Psychotropic/Antidepressant Medication Pros and Cons Mothersafe & SwOPS - State-wide Outreach Perinatal MH Service or Medication During Pregnancy