Thanks for those comments Sally.
Anyone on the list who would like to receive a copy of the ACMI Vic
Discussion Paper on the introduction of Bachelor of Midwifery (direct
entry ) programs please send your snail mail address to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] All full members of ACMI Vic Branch will receive a
copy, and a group of people identified as key stakeholders.
The paper is to be ready for distribution shortly.
Joy Johnston
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Sally Tracy
Sent: Saturday, 24 July 1999 11:49
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: direct entry
dear list
In response to the discussion re the nature of direct entry education.
No, it does not need to be obstetrically based ...in fact the ideal is
for obstetrics to remain the domain of study for obstetricians and other
tertiary level practitioners. The direct entry degree course for midwives
would ideally educate a midwife in the primary care model as a 'watchful
attendant ' to the woman in childbirth as opposed to a 'medical caregiver'.
To get a better idea about the areas of study, they are closely related to
courses presently taught in the departments of public health, Women's
Studies, biological sciences and sociology. The aim of training midwives in
this system is to educate midwives in the phenomenom of birth as a
physiological event based in the sociological context of the family. This of
course contrasts strongly with the notion of birth as a medical procedure
attended by nurses and doctors who are trained in the pathology of birth and
assess birth in terms of risk.The midwife must be trained to recognise
danger signs, but the difference is she is not educated to be fearful of the
process, but to be patient and confident in women's innate ability to give
birth.
Sheila Kitzinger puts it far more eloquently than I can when she says
"In childbirth midwives touch the two worlds of the instinctual and the
cultural, bringing them into harmony. Such a calling requires not domination
and control, but careful observation and sensitive awareness. It needs
patience and a willingness to wait for the unfolding of life. It requires
skill in helping the labouring woman to have confidence in herself and the
power of her uterus." Sheila Kitzinger The Midwife Challenge, 1991.Pandora.
For a closer look at the subjects and the course of study for direct
entry midwives have a look at the Christchurch (NZ) course which is up on
the web at www.midwives.org.nz/college.html
And remember..........(I know I sound like a stuck record!)..... It was
mainly women who made the differeence in new Zealand. Without women
(consumers) midwives are nothing! So go out and demand your midwife should
be better educated in the art and science of midwifery........not
obstetrics.
sally t
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