RE: [ozmidwifery] Fwd: "The Doula Craze"

[Sally Westbury]

Well said Tina.   That continuity of care is the key. If we as midwives are not able or willing to work in such a way then I see only a growth in doula’s supporting women in birth. Then midwives will loose jet another aspect of their work. So what will we do? We won’t be providing the hands on holding, massaging supporting (the doula stands there and rightly so if she is the one who knows the woman), we won’t be catching the baby (the obs stands there), what will we be doing???? Keeping the paperwork in order?? Cleaning the rooms when the birth is over. (maybe a cleaner would be employed).   We need to become clearer about what we really believe a midwife is and be willing to fight for it. At the moment I feel like we are walking on the edge. We stand clear and become midwives. Or we watch passive as our profession is splintered into nothing.  Thinking about the way that the Nurses Board in Victoria has a clause that can deregister any midwife who works without professional indemnity insurance I feel that the possibility of us loosing our dreams of professional standing as midwives is close. So it is happening in Victoria. Who will stand against this tide. When it has happened there who will be next? NSW? TAS, WA?? When will you decide to take action. When it is you?? And who will stand beside you and support you if you watch your sister being destroyed. She won’t be able to!  Conversely we jump the other way support each other, support what women want and we have NMAP. A clear road to birth reform but it is only possible if midwive want this and if birthing woman are given the power and information to demand it.   My rant for today.   Sally Westbury