Summary
It was doubly twice as nice at Rockhampton Hospital this week as midwife Cassie Turner and obstetrician Dr Sujata Pradhan met two sets of identical twins that they helped deliver last year.
It was doubly twice as nice at Rockhampton Hospital this week as midwife Cassie Turner and obstetrician Dr Sujata Pradhan met two sets of identical twins that they helped deliver last year.
Two families stepped back to say a special thanks and show their growing bundles of joy to celebrate Multiple Birth Awareness Week (16-23 March).
Among the 20 sets of twins delivered at Rockhampton Hospital in 2024, Cassie was thrilled to be there for one set born in September, one in October and one in November.
Cassie is a midwife with the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), a model of care offered through Central Queensland Health.
MGP supports women with the same midwife and a small group of assisting midwives throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and afterwards at home, putting women in the centre of their care, enhancing overall wellbeing of both mothers and babies.
“It was very exciting to have three sets of twins in three months. All the ladies and their husbands were really engaging and happy to have MGP care,” Cassie said. “All three had beautiful babies with no caesareans, which is also quite unusual for twins.”
Dr Sujata has delivered more sets of twins than she can remember, but she says it’s always very special. “Everyone’s excited!” she said.
Mahalia Brady and Rahnee Paipai had their girls Tiella and Bethalia on 28 October. They’re sisters to two-year-old Kailang, who Cassie also delivered.
Tamara and Greg Voois welcomed Kayce and Valek on 21 November. They have older sisters Harper, 14, and Alecis, 10.
“Cassie was with us in our decisions and always wants what’s best for mum and babies,” Mahalia said.
“Twins are hands on all the time,” she said. “But it’s such a great experience. Having one to begin with shows we can multi-task, hold both and feed both at the same time.”
Tamara believes that, because her twins are boys, “they’re a lot more laid back than the girls ever were, but they’re double trouble”.
Cassie is just proud to play a small part in someone’s journey.
“At the end of the day the mums will remember their birth and my little part in that,” she said.
“MGP gives me job satisfaction because you get to know them and build a nice bond, rapport and trust and see them after they’re born.”
And for mums to be, they love being able to see the same midwife throughout their pregnancy and building a trusting relationship.
“We feel comfortable reaching out to Cassie, and she’s told us she’s always available to answer questions,” said Mahalia, who is building a big family.
She’s hoping for more babies and will be happy to welcome more twins or even triplets, and she wants Cassie to be her midwife.
“I’ve told her that, even if she retires, I will find her!”