Christine Williams knows how debilitating post-natal depression can be for mothers and families. She experienced it herself with all three of her babies and struggled to access the help she badly needed.
“I was crying out for help and was frustrated I couldn’t get the support I needed. That’s where my passion comes from, to increase my knowledge and confidence, in supporting the emotional health of antenatal woman I work with. I spent years as a mother with crying babies who couldn’t settle, while I couldn’t cope, it was awful,” said Christine.
Christine’s passion to help other mothers and infants has been central to her career path from Nurse to Midwife and now, studying for a Master of Health Perinatal and Infant Emotional Health with Federation University.
To her credit, Christine’s incredible dedication and hard work gaining high grades has recently paid off with winning one of nine financial scholarships that 22,000 students can apply for at Federation University, helping pay for her studies.
But Christine says the biggest reward is loving what she does.
“I feel proud walking through the front doors, it is such a privilege to work in a job that I love and feel so passionate about. My work colleagues are incredible; the reception staff, midwives, nurses, doctors and obstetricians all work together as a team striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for every family we care for,” she said.
Christine credits the supportive environment and flexibility with her work schedule at Bendigo Health that allows midwifes like Christine to access the latest training and development opportunities.
“My manager has been flexible and understanding while I have been juggling shifts at work, study, exams, clinical placements, and course work at Federation University - as well as the demands of being a mum to three too,” she said.
Christine has set her sights firmly on working at the new state-of-the-art Early Parenting Centre currently under construction at Bendigo Health.
“How lovely we are getting one in Bendigo, previously people have to go to Melbourne for maternal and child health help from paediatricians. The alternative was your general practitioner or an inpatient mental health ward,” she said.
Not only is the physical health of mothers and their babies important too, but also being able to acknowledge their emotional health too. “My aim is for all antenatal women to feel safe, supported and heard throughout their pregnancy journey at Bendigo Health,” said Christine.