The Australian College of Midwives says decisions surrounding pregnant women and new mothers in off-shore detention centres need to consider more than just the physical health of the mother.
A Rohingyan woman was moved from the Nauru detention centre to Australia last week to give birth, and says she fears for the wellbeing of her children if she is sent back to Nauru.
The Australian Immigration Minister, Scott Morrisson, said last week that if and when the mother is in a fit state to return to Nauru, then that's what will occur.
A professor of midwifery and the national spokesperson for the Australian College of Midwives, Hannah Dahlen, says more than just a mothers physical health needs to be assesed.
"We need to think about their mental health wellbeing, we need to think about how anxious they are, how well supported they are. We know that pregnancy and the early weeks and months giving birth are critical in the development of a babys brain and the mothers anxiety and her connection with that baby are critical in making that development normal."
The national spokesperson for the Australian College of Midwives, Hannah Dahlen.
