When Rhiarn Coles found out she was pregnant, she knew exactly how she wanted her birth journey to unfold.

Her older sister Alysha had been through the Aboriginal midwifery group practice program at King Edward Memorial Hospital when she was pregnant, and had recommended it highly.

At Ngangk Maawit Mia, or Mother Baby House, expectant Aboriginal mothers have the same midwife or midwives throughout their pregnancy, ensuring continuity and culturally sensitive care.

“I knew as soon as we found out I was pregnant I wanted to be a part of the program. It’s less clinical and more family orientated, with no judgment,” Ms Coles said.

A Ngemba woman, Ms Coles and husband Rob wanted their baby to be immersed in his culture from the get-go.

The mum-to-be had also been born at KEMH at just 24 we

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