The College recognises that midwives who have supported a woman who has experienced an unexpected outcome for herself or her baby, in the course of clinical practice, can find this experience stressful and difficult, both professionally and personally.

For this reason, the College has developed a booklet Unexpected Outcome – Information for Midwives. This booklet sets out;

• Some of the immediate actions that you should take as a midwife who was involved
• Offers some advice as to how to access necessary support and assistance
• Provides an overview of the forums in which you may be held to account for your practice.

Download the Unexpected Outcome guide for midwives

The College also has a contract with the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to provide a free and confidential short term crisis counselling for midwife members during what can be a stressful and difficult time. As EAP (or a similar type service) is provided to all Te Whatu Ora employed midwives via their employment conditions, only self employed members, or members who are employed by small organisations such as community trusts or PHOs are eligible to use the College funded EAP service.

To receive the three free counselling sessions funded by the College under the EAP contract midwife members must be:

• A member of Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa | New Zealand College of Midwives
• Self employed or employed by a small organisations such as community trusts or PHOs who do not provide such a service to employees
• Be accessing the services of the College Legal Advisor for practice related/indemnity purposes
• All midwives who are eligible for this service will be informed of their entitlement and how to access the EAP services by the College Legal Advisor.