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

The STORC team presents some of their recent case studies about cord prolapse, preterm twins born at home, and at home breech birth. They also give the audience a chance to ask questions about all things obstetrics.

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.

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.

Lauren Bell: Lauren comes from a sports science background, however always had an interest in women's health. After moving to Australia from Canada in 2003 Lauren became aware of midwifery as a career option and proceeded to gain Nursing registration in 2006. Lauren completed a Graduate nurse program at King Edward Memorial Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital before commencing a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery in 2008. With 14 years experience working in a tertiary hospital providing antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care, plus being a clinical midwife in a Labour and Birth Suite / Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit for many years, Lauren is now working casually across all areas of hospital-based midwifery care.

Jen Cumpsty: Jen completed her midwifery training in 2011. Since then, she has worked predominantly in a tertiary maternity unit providing antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care to the women of WA. Jen values interdisciplinary education and knowledge sharing as a means to improving patient outcomes. In 2023 she pursued her interest in medical education and is currently the co-Discipline Coordinator and senior lecturer for third year medical students in the division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Western Australia.