Ms Mackie suffered a lot of pain and could barely walk while pregnant with her son Jarrod, four months old.

She had developed gestational diabetes and was not prepared for the health problems she encountered.

“This service is so important for women like me – I did not expect such big health problems for myself and the baby and I needed advice and support,” she said.

Now a happy, healthy baby, Jarrod was delivered six weeks early by caesarean section.

The new service is called Naae-Wanni (pronounced Nay-wah-nee) which means mother and baby, and is the name provided by the Aboriginal community.

Aboriginal women or women with Aborignal partners can access the service during their pregnancy and after their baby is born.

It is based at Maitland Hospital under the care of midwife Megan Long and Aboriginal health education officer Eleanor Swan.

Ms Long has five years of experience as a midwife and has worked with Aborignal communities in outback Australia and with families in Somalia.

She is passionate about providing culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal families in the Maitland community and is helping to establish outreach clinics, which will include home visits at Telarah, Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Mindaribba and Woodberry, in partnership with Maitland Hospital.

“There is a need here, where there is a large Aboriginal community, for this type of service,” Ms Long said.

“Health statistics show that Aboriginal women and their babies are at a disadvantage and are two-and-a-half times more likely to have a premature baby. The morbidity and mortality rate is also much higher.”

A ceremony to launch Naae-Wanni was held at Maitland Hospital yesterday. Appointments can be made by phoning 4939 2494 or 4939 2468.