Just like to stimulate some discussion regarding the recent press around smaller birthing services in Sydney and surrounds.
Is there any support for women currently choosing these services for birth, or do we think these services are not worth hanging on to. There seem to be an abundance of ideas for new models of care for midwifery services and I believe we need these plans for the future of birthing women but at the moment feel we are throwing out our old shoes before we have the money to buy the new. What do other midwives feel. Cheers Marian
Dear Marian
We must hang on to the smaller birthing services and we must insist of midwifery-led care.
No woman wants to be taken away from her major social support systems to give birth.
Unfortunately for the few women who develop major problems during pregnancy this may be the case, but most women should be able to give birth in or near their home with midwives who they know and trust.
Both ASIM, HAS and the Maternity Coalition have tried to make this point with the NSW Minister for Health to no avail. He refuses to have meetings about setting up more units with midwives as primary carers.
So today a briefing of the cross-bench in NSW State Parliament begins.
Denise and Sally Tracey will be presenting information re the desire to keep smaller birthing services operational and to spread community midwifery across the state. The cross benchers will then be able to put more pressure on the Minister.
I’m sure Denise will have something to say about the cross-briefing on ozmidwifery tonight.
Yours in better birthing practices
Jan Robinson
__________________________________________________________________________
Jan Robinson Phone/fax: 011+ 61+ 2+ 9546 4350
Independent Midwife Practitioner e-mail: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
8 Robin Crescent www: midwiferyeducation.com.au
South Hurstville NSW 2221 National Coordinator, ASIM
__________________________________________________________________________
