Launching the Young. Pregnant. In Control. website at Caboolture Hospital recently

The Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women (CYMYW) program recently launched a new website to ensure young women are in control of their pregnancy.

The Young. Pregnant. In Control. website is filled with valuable information for newly pregnant young women, including a link to register with Caboolture Hospital, how to get to there, options for care and a welcome video from maternity staff.

Clinical Nurse Midwife Debbi Sutherland knew there was a need for young people to be able to access tangible pregnancy information to feel more in control during their pregnancy journey. CYMYW was successful in obtaining a grant from Moreton Bay Creative Communities in 2019 to create an informative booklet.

Midwife Debbi Sutherland highlights the new website

“We started with the idea of a booklet, but the young women decided that a website would be more accessible, and as young people, they know what works best for them, so we went down the website route instead,” Debbi said.

“Many young people are unsure of what to do when they first fall pregnant, and it can be incredibly challenging trying to navigate the health care system.

“The young women completely designed the website, down to each emoji, and had the idea to link the Caboolture Hospital pregnancy registration link so that young women can register their pregnancy online as early as possible.

“The earlier the registration the better so we can identify and start early support for the 25 per cent of Caboolture’s young and pregnant women who really need the CYMYW program, a unique model of care that offers both social and health responses to young women experiencing the greatest vulnerabilities.”

Business cards promoting the website will soon be sent to GP practices in the Caboolture region to encourage early registration and assistance with health navigation, alongside the recently released online learning package for health professionals to equip staff with a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs of young women.

Young. Pregnant. In Control. website screenshot

The online learning package consists of four modules: barriers to accessing healthcare, adolescent brain development, trauma, and peer support.

“These resources, designed by young women, highlight the many challenges experienced by young, pregnant women including unstable housing, needle phobias, domestic violence, fear of judgement, social anxiety and mistrust of health services to name a few,” Debbi said.

“Young women wanted to see an education of health professionals, so they can better understand what it’s like to be a young pregnant, or parenting mother. They are, after all, the experts in their own needs.”

MICAH Projects has a partnership arrangement with Caboolture Hospital to assist young pregnant and parenting women, 20 years and under, along with their children and families.

CYMYM is located at 19 Morayfield Road (corner Oaklands Drive), Caboolture South. Phone 5294 9600.

Check out the new website www.ypic.org.au and online learning package: learning.ypic.org.au