Dear Sally, Just a quick note of support for your e-mail. It is time
midwives stopped seperating themselves from consumers. Midwives wouldn,t be
working if they didn't have consumers in the first place. To keep them in
the dark is very egotistical (sorry if that's spelt wrong). If midwives
would simply get down to grass roots and really listen to the women they
would be more than a little suprised at how much they could learn.
Dierdre.....
----------
> From: Sally Witten Tracy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: consuming passions
> Date: Thursday, August 19, 1999 12:38 PM
>
> dear list
> The debate/furore over the place within the organisation for
> women/mothers/families is both timely and of utmost importance. As
> midwives we identify ourselves as 'professional' with a code of
> conduct, a body of knowledge and a worthy college to represent our
> membership. We have used 'professionalism' as a means to validate our
> authority and be listened to, to be consulted and taken seriously within
> the organistaion of maternity services in this country. But I have to
> say at this point we need to seriously reconsider this notion. As
> professionals our scope of practice is not based on autonomy and we are
> not governed by a legal framework which recognises our professionalism.
> We are deluded if we think that either government or those with a vested
> interest in the maternity system recognise or reward our status as
> professionals with a valuable contribution to make. We are handed out
> grants and funds to 'prove' ourselves in schemes and pilot projects that
> are discontinued regardless of the worthwhile outcomes they generate.
> Our strength lies only with the women and families we serve. They are
> our entire reason for being! The art of midwifery is learned from 'being
> with' women giving birth. This is not to say we do not have a handle on
> science and technology. Our craft is improved through research and
> education promoting evidence based practice. As a midwife our unique
> contribution to the world is the opportunity to be with the woman giving
> birth. No other 'professional' shares this experience as completely as a
> midwife. And for our 'profession' to survive we must listen to women. In
> Australia it seems there has been a rather rough patch of consumer
> involvement which has caused major heartache and damaged many midwives.
> (It is interesting to note the subsequent 'professionalisation' of some
> consumer lobbies!) Women and families and mothers are the only people
> who can convince the government that midwives are indispensible. We can
> wave our professional flags on the sidelines and remain victimised by a
> system that does not value our contribution as long as we like, but it
> is the 'consumer' who will ultimately decide our fate and offer us the
> challenge to practice wisely.
>
> Sally Tracy
>
>
>
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