This webinar is presented by the State Obstetrics Referral Call (STORC) team from St John WA.

What causes early pregnancy bleeding and how do we manage it in the prehospital setting? Early pregnancy bleeding can affect one in five pregnancies. For these women, 60% will continue to have a normal pregnancy but what about the women who don’t?

This webinar will uncover the causes behind early pregnancy bleeding and the management rationales to provide safe and empathetic care to women and their families. The content will also provide advice on how to provide an empathetic and safe place for women experiencing perinatal loss.

Please note that although the presenters are from WA, the content is applicable and valuable to paramedics across Australasia.

Presenter Biographies

Melissa Gardiner: Mel has been a Paramedic with St John Ambulance WA for 22 years, starting in 2002. While working on road Mel also completed her General Registration in Nursing in 2009 and Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery in 2011. A busy mother of three, she continues to work in both roles and has been heavily involved in obstetric education. She has contributed to Clinical Practice Guidelines development and the improvement of skills and education for all on road staff. Her passion for teaching has been shared in Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Bremmer Bay, Toodyay and Belmont with Volunteers, Ambulance Officers, Paramedics, Clinical Support Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics! Mel has held unit coordinator and lecturing positions the Edith Cowan University in Paramedicine and the School of Nursing and Midwifery, shaping students for a future in emergency care. Mel is the creator of STORC (State Obstetric Referral Call), and is the Lead of this team of six midwives, she is also currently completing a Master of Research in Medical and Health Science. In 2024, Mel received the Ambulance Service Medal for her dedication to maternity care in the prehospital environment.

Rebecca Hayes: Rebecca completed her Registered Nursing degree in 2002 and went on to refine her skillset in the Orthopaedics Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital until 2007, while completing a Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery in 2008. With a passion for midwifery care, Rebecca's final analysis paper focused on the crucial importance of postpartum skin-to-skin contact for both the neonate and mother. Rebecca obtained thirteen years’ experience as a rotational midwife working on the Postnatal Ward, Labour and Birth Suite, Assessment Unit for Emergencies (over 20 weeks), Adult Special Care Unit, and Midwifery Service Emergency Centre (for gynaecology emergencies and patients under 20 weeks). Currently Rebecca is a Clinical Midwife in the Emergency Centre and the Clinical Nurse Midwife Specialist (after hours) at King Edward Memorial Hospital. She is currently completing her studies at Curtin University to become an Endorsed Midwife.

Laura Robertson: Laura has a background in the Arts, Chemistry and Biological Sciences. Since the 1990s Laura has been involved in consumer health advocacy as an advisor to Princess Margaret Hospital. In addition, Laura worked with the Kalparrin Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital between 1993 and 2001 as a founding volunteer, coordinating Mother’s Camps, and serving on the Board of Parents of Children with Disabilities. Laura answered her calling to become a midwife by graduating with Bachelors in Science (Nursing) from Curtin University in 2005 and achieving a Post Graduate Diploma in Midwifery in 2007. Proceeding to work as a rotational midwife between 2007 and 2010 across all areas at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Laura then moved to the Community Midwifery Program between 2010 and 2014 as a Clinical Midwife providing full scope of practice care for women planning home births. In 2013, Laura completed additional studies to become an Endorsed Midwife. Since 2014 Laura has continued to work at King Edward Memorial Hospital as a Clinical Midwife in the Visiting Midwifery Service, providing community based postnatal and antenatal care, as well as service coordination, and policy and guideline development.