A new service at Gympie Hospital to support women in the early stages of pregnancy has helped more than 60 patients in just six months – and there are now plans to expand it.
The Gympie Wishlist Giving Day on 7 May will raise funds for a dedicated ultrasound and a gynaecology chair for the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service.
Emma Annetts, the nurse practitioner who pushed for the program, said the new equipment would be a gamechanger for the treatment of women who present with complications early in their pregnancy.
“We established this service to provide more consistent care for women having problems in early pregnancy, and those at risk of miscarriages,” Emma said.
“Many of the women who are referred to the service are early in their pregnancy and being able to get an ultrasound can provide additional reassurance.
“The ultrasound, a trans vaginal probe will be able to detect whether there has been a miscarriage or whether the pregnancy is likely to continue.
“The ultrasound will also reduce the pressure on other parts of Gympie Hospital as less women in early pregnancy will have to present to the Emergency Department.
“The ultrasound will also be able to be used in other women’s health areas such as gynaecology and obstetrics.”
The gynaecology chair will also make it easier to perform procedures without patients having to go to the Emergency Department.
If you'd like to help Wishlist purchase this vital medical equipment for Gympie Hospital by creating your own fundraising team, or you'd like to donate on the day click here.
A local mum who has already benefitted from the Gympie Hospital’s Early Pregnancy Assessment Service has supported the push for additional medical equipment.
Jess Dale, already a mother of a one-year-old girl was looking forward to another girl with her husband Chris when just seven weeks into her pregnancy she realised something was wrong.
“I started to bleed, and it was quite a lot of blood,” Jess said.
She went to Gympie Hospital’s Emergency Department where she was sent for scans and blood tests which confirmed a heartbeat, but also the need for ongoing support.
Jess was referred to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service where she was assigned to Emma who helped her navigate the continuing challenges.
“It didn't resolve straight away,” Jess said. “I'd have no bleeding for a couple of weeks, and then it'd start again, and it was on and off for another seven weeks.
“I had follow up scans for blood tests - it was just a super scary and horrible experience.
“But to have Emma was beautiful, I rang her a lot to ask questions if anything happened or she’d just call to check in on me.
“It was discovered I had a hematoma, which resolved, thankfully - and now we're now almost we're six months pregnant, so our baby girl will be here before we know it.”
“If anyone can give anything to the Gympie Wishlist Giving Day, it would be incredible,” Jess said. “Your generosity is appreciated.”
And remember donations on the day are DOUBLED until our funding pool runs out - which is all due to our generous business Matchers.
Wishlist CEO Brendan Hogan said the doubling of donations means people really can give a little and help a lot.
“It means your $20 transforms into $40, amplifying your impact and the change you help create,” Mr Hogan said.
