The Malabar Midwives was established in 2006 after community consultation identified the need to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes, and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families planning to give birth at the Royal Hospital for Women. The service is committed to improve the health of mothers and babies by providing seamless, accessible, and culturally safe care.

The team includes:

• A Consultant Midwife
• Four Clinical Midwife Specialists
• An Aboriginal Health Education Officer
• A Social Worker
• And, in partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospital
  • A Child and Family Health Nurse
  • Community based Paediatrician and
  • Speech Pathologist

The midwives work alongside the Aboriginal Health Education Officer in a continuity of care model in which women get to know the midwives during pregnancy. Research has demonstrated that building a trusting relationship with a midwife can result in a more positive birth experience for women.

Pregnancy visits can take place at the Malabar Clinic, at the hospital, at the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Health Centre or any other convenient location for the woman. The midwives are then on-call for labour and birth at the hospital and, after the birth, will visit the family at home.

The Child and Family Health Nurse aims to meet women during the pregnancy to make a connection prior to providing ongoing support for you and your baby. The Child and Family Health Nurse conducts clinics at Malabar and La Perouse and offers some home visiting. The partnership with Sydney Children’s Hospital also provides clinics with a community Paediatrician and Speech Pathologist conveniently located at La Perouse. 

The Malabar Midwives also provide care for non- Aboriginal women from the 2035 and 2036 postcodes.

The Cross Cultural Worker in Maternity & Child & Family Health Services provides a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service for women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and International students who are birthing and/or using child and family health services in Royal Hospital for Women and or live in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

The Cross Cultural Worker provides: 

• Support and education during pregnancy and for children 0 to 5 years
• Support to access and navigate services during pregnancy and into parenting 
• Culturally appropriate pregnancy, birth and parenting information and education e.g. antenatal or postnatal classes
• Links to community support and networks e.g. playgroups or library
• Support transition from pregnancy and birth to child and family health services e.g. Child and Family Health Nurse in the local Early Childhood Clinic

Women and families can self-refer, be referred by a health professional or community organisation.

Interpreters will be arranged as required.

Contact: Galuh Sapthari

• Phone: 0439 510 697
• Email: galuh.sapthari@health.nsw.gov.au
• Available: Tuesday - Friday

Click here for information regarding FREE pregnancy and parenting education in 2025:

We believe that every birth is individual and transformative for women and families. Our services are available to meet the unique birthing needs and expectations of women.

Being informed throughout your pregnancy is important. We provide a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, providing woman-centered care. We respect informed choice and encourage women to actively participate in shared decision making about their pregnancy, labour and birth.

Our birth unit supports early discharge home where suitable for women and babies with ‘Midwifery in the Home Service’.