The June issue of Birth Matters, the journal of the Maternity Coalition, is now on its way to members. The following is by way of explanation, and advertisement / membership drive. Please forward this message to other lists if you believe it may be welcome.
Maternity Coalition is a national non-profit charity - an umbrella organisation made up of individuals and groups; consumers and providers of maternity care, as well as academics who comment on women's rights and social change. Articles which are given priority in Birth Matters are those which address the Maternity Coalition's agenda of advocating for the rights of women as mothers, and reform of maternity services. Our website is at present being updated - see www.maternitycoalition.org.au Annual membership is only $30 for individual subscribers in Australia. The articles in Vol 6.2 include discussion of 'Partnership in Practice' by NZ consumer advocate Rea Daellenbach, and a response by Kerreen Reiger. Jan Robinson's compilation of advice from the Democrats, 'Influencing the Decision Makers' is very useful to anyone who seeks to be an agent for change. Robin Payne reports on the 'Three Centres Consensus Guidelines on Antenatal Care'; Roslyn Donnellan - Fernandez continues her article, 'Midwifery in Australia'; Pinky McKay writes on 'Promoting breastfeeding, promoting guilt?', and we have two excellent first person accounts of birth, by Rebecca Lange and Leisa Smith. The regular columns include updates on what's happening in the Branches, and MIPP, and information on the National Maternity Action Plan. We have an author abstract from Helen Robinson of the Vic Perinatal Data Collection Unit ' Comparison of perineal trauma rates in women who gave birth inside hospital, or a birth centre, or unexpectedly outside hospital or had a planned home birth'. Those who have signed the Australian Midwifery Campaign Petition, advertised through Birth Matters, will be pleased to know that the signature tally is over 7,000 (now closed). Inserts with this issue of Birth Matters include a copy of the new 'Having a baby' pamphlet, which was published last year in SA, and has now been adapted (with permission) for use in Vic. It's an excellent consumer information resource, and has been made available by ACMI Vic Branch and Maternity Coalition. Now I expect that someone who reads this will want to subscribe. If this is the case, please send a cheque for $30 (+ tax-exempt donation) to: The Secretary PO Box 1190 Blackburn North, 3130, Victoria Membership Details Name: Address: Postcode: Telephone: E-Mail: please let us know your areas of interest and skills for participation in the Maternity Coalition Please make cheques payable to the Maternity Coalition Inc -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
