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Midwifery and women's health

Through partnerships and collaboration with national and international research teams and organisations our vision is improve women’s health and midwifery practice by generating new knowledge in areas of defined need. We are translating evidence into clinical practice, investigating new and emerging healthcare issues to continuously improve women’s health and quality of care as well as advancing our profession.

Focus lead

Dr Suzanne Willey

Suzanne has an extensive clinical background as a Midwife, Maternal and Child Health Nurse and Refugee Health Nurse in Primary Health Care

Research team

A/Prof Wendy Pollock

Dr Ensieh Fooladi

Dr Kerry Hampton

Dr Ladan Yeganeh

Bethany Carr

Kym Davey

Matty Gomera

Joy Kloester

Anne Tremayne

Yasmin Zisin

Current projects

Improving access and equity in maternity care for Aboriginal women: Bubup clinic

The primary purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the Bubup clinic at Monash Health provides a model of care that is feasible and acceptable for Aboriginal women and health professionals.
COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy

With pregnant women more than twice as likely to require intensive care admission and invasive ventilation than non-pregnant women of childbearing age, this study investigates the disproportionate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women.
Attitudes towards future childbearing and knowledge of age-related fertility, and success of IVF treatment among university students

Women having higher education is associated with delayed childbearing, increasing their risk for infertility, and increasing their use of IVF treatment. This systematic review aims to summarise and examine the evidence of university students’ knowledge and attitude of age related fertility.
Shared decision making in pregnancy and childbirth in Saudi Arabi

Shared decision making is defined as a collaboration between patients and their healthcare provider where they actively participate in discussing and selecting treatment options. This research studies shared decision making in maternity care in the context of Saudi Arabia.
Midwives experiences of facilitating informed decision-making

Women and midwives report a lack of informed decision-making in actual practice, despite the fact that informed decision-making is a vital component of midwifery philosophy and a core recommendation of the global respectful maternity care charter.
Midwives’ experiences of facilitating informed decision-making for management of the third stage of labour

This research contributes to the understanding of informed decision making in maternity care, by exploring midwifes’ experiences of facilitating this practice for the management of the third stage of labour.
Nursing and midwifery students perspectives of their experience with death

Caring for a dying patient is challenging, even for experienced health professionals. Nursing and midwifery students may often have their first exposure to death and care for the patient and their extended family during clinical placement. This study provides important insight into how to support students faced with this situation.
Positive impact of a co-designed digital resource for women with early menopause

Early menopause affects over 10% of women. Many women with EM feel they have insufficient access to information about menopause and limited choices. This study evaluates the previously developed, co-designed novel EM digital resource.
The effects of lifestyle and behavioural modifications on cancer recurrence, survival and quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Breast cancer is associated with psychological and physical effects and impaired quality of life (QoL). The benefits of lifestyle interventions on breast cancer survivorship have to date been unclear. This study aims to determine the effects of lifestyle and behavioural modifications on cancer recurrence, survival and health related QoL in breast cancer survivors.

Nursing and Midwifery

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Midwifery and women's health

Focus lead

Dr Suzanne Willey

Research team

A/Prof Wendy Pollock

Dr Ensieh Fooladi

Dr Kerry Hampton

Dr Ladan Yeganeh

Bethany Carr

Kym Davey

Matty Gomera

Joy Kloester

Anne Tremayne

Yasmin Zisin

Current projects

Improving access and equity in maternity care for Aboriginal women: Bubup clinic

COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy

Attitudes towards future childbearing and knowledge of age-related fertility, and success of IVF treatment among university students

Shared decision making in pregnancy and childbirth in Saudi Arabi

Midwives experiences of facilitating informed decision-making

Midwives’ experiences of facilitating informed decision-making for management of the third stage of labour

Nursing and midwifery students perspectives of their experience with death

Positive impact of a co-designed digital resource for women with early menopause

The effects of lifestyle and behavioural modifications on cancer recurrence, survival and quality of life in breast cancer survivors