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

Since the Term Breech Trial (TBT) in 2001, vaginal breech birth has almost disappeared as an option available to women. Caesarean section rates for breech babies have soared to 96% across Australia. The TBT was found to have conceptual and ethical flaws; however, the damage was done. For 20 years it negatively impacted vaginal breech birth practices and has resulted in a lack of skilled clinicians, experience, researchers, and educators.

Most paramedics will shudder at the idea of attending an imminent breech birth in the community. Well fear not – Dr Sara Morris and Mel Gardiner are here to help. It’s no longer “hands off the breech” – now it’s “respect the mechanism - correct the mechanism”.

This webinar will dive into current breech birth practice.

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.

Dr Sara Morris: Sara is a busy mother of two and a Clinical Nurse / Clinical Midwife with over 10 years post-graduate experience! Working rurally for the last five years, Sara completed a Masters in Midwifery Practice before moving to Perth. In 2021 Sara also completed a PhD examining women’s experiences of breech birth in WA and the recommended care for women with a breech presenting baby at term. Sara's research interests involve woman-centred care with a particular focus on those with a breech presentation. In addition, Sara has worked clinically and academically teaching both undergrad and postgraduate midwife students, as well as midwifery, medical and paramedic clinicians. Sara's current career goal is to focus on developing the clinical skills and teaching resources needed to improve care for women experiencing a breech presentation in contemporary maternity care.