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This retrospective study assessed maternal and perinatal outcomes for women with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) admitted to the largest tertiary obstetric hospital in Western Australia from 2009 to 2016. Of 54 women identified, 75.9% were Indigenous, 59.3% lived in rural areas and 40.7% had severe RHD. Heart failure developed in 10% who gave birth. Indigenous women were younger, had higher gravidity (P = 0.0305), were more likely to receive secondary prophylaxis (P = 0.0041) and have sub‐optimal antenatal clinic attendance (P = 0.0078). There were no maternal deaths and two perinatal deaths (4.0%), reflecting vigilance in the obstetric management of women with RHD in Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Midwifery Access Program (AMAP) was established in 2001 to provide antenatal care, birth support and postnatal care to clients in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Aim: To describe the uptake and impact of AMAP services on access to antenatal care, behavioural risk factors and pregnancy outcomes and to compare the characteristics of AMAP clients with other women giving birth in the ACT. Methods: A descriptive study of medical records for AMAP clients who gave birth in 2004-2008. Outcome measures: maternal and baby characteristics, antenatal visits, behavioural risk factors and complications. Characteristics of AMAP clients were compared with the ACT Maternal and Perinatal Collection. Results: Of 187 women, 11.2% were aged <20 years, 50.3% presented in the first trimester and 94.7% attended five or more antenatal visits. Of 193 babies, 17.1% were born preterm and 18.1% had low birthweight. Compared with the ACT Maternal and Perinatal Collection, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AMAP clients had a higher smoking rate (63.8 vs 49.0%), a lower caesarean delivery rate (20.0 vs 27.6%), a slightly lower proportion of preterm babies (18.8 vs 21.6%) and a slightly lower proportion of low-birthweight babies (18.8 vs 21.0%). Conclusions: Aboriginal Midwifery Access Program provides high-quality antenatal care in a trusted environment. The high rate of smoking in pregnancy needs to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]