Thursday Island Hospital is in baby fever with 7 new bubs born in the past 7 days.
The hospital’s maternity team have been kept busy with women from across the region safely birthing three boys and four girls between 29 October to 4 November.
First time mum Shorna Cowley, who is from Mer Island, had daughter Ziyanna last Friday and said she had been well supported by TI maternity staff throughout her pregnancy journey.
“They have been really caring, and they’ve helped me a lot,” she said. “It’s very overwhelming, but also exciting.”
Ziyanna was born at 8.59pm on Friday and weighed 3.475kg.
Joining her in the maternity ward was Esther Geas whose sixth child, also a baby girl, arrived at 10.21am on Sunday morning weighing 3.160kg.
She and partner Fred Savage relocated from Cairns to Kubin on Moa Island two years ago to be closer to his family.
Esther, who already has four daughters and a son, said it was exciting to be part the historic moment at the hospital.
“I was really happy because I had another baby here last year and I was the only one in the ward,” she said.
“The staff have been excellent, very supportive, friendly and kind.”
Both women were transferred from their home islands to TI several weeks prior to their due dates to prepare for their births.
TI Hospital Director of Nursing and Midwifery Jane Davies said she was proud of the midwifery, medical and nursing and teams who went above and beyond to support women during this exceptionally busy period.
“Their professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to women-centred care have been nothing short of inspiring,” she said.
“It’s during times like these that the true strength of our staff shines through, and I want to thank each and every one of them for their dedication and resilience.
“From our midwives, nurses, doctors, allied health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers the entire team has worked so hard together during what has truly been an unprecedented time in our maternity unit,” she said.
“I’m thrilled many of those women were able to utilise our birthing bath to assist their labours.
“It has been a joyful period to be part of as a staff member working here and I congratulate all our mums and their newest additions for being a small part of our hospital’s history.”
Executive General Manager North Marita Sagigi said she was proud these women had been able to birth their babies close to home.
“We have such a fantastic multidisciplinary maternity team here on TI and this is a wonderful milestone for them to celebrate,” she said.
“We know how important it is for First Nations women to birth on country and as a Health Service we are committed to providing safe and sustainable birthing services to support these women and their families.”
There have been 62 babies born at TI Hospital so far this year, with a further 26 born at Weipa Integrated Health Service.