[ozmidwifery] here is a hot one

[Jo & Dean Bainbridge]

here is a topic that will get many of you annoyed at me! ( thought it was about time)   I have noticed a trend happening and wanted to point this out.  There has been discussion in the past of the lack of consumer support and push for change.  Yes, I agree to and extent as most of the community are oblivious to what is going on.  Those consumers who do now are usually slogging their arses off to get change...with no real benefits to themselves in any way other than satisfaction that SOMEONE else may not end up with a scar on her belly for no reason (unlike the one on my belly that I can never get free of) Now here is the juicy bit......I am starting to realise that it appears that there is a large portion of midwives who lament about the way birth is today, they know what it happening and yet when there is something like NMAP being suggested it suddenly is left up to consumers to do the work.  I am referring to situations like last week when here in SA a meeting was held to see what to do next with NMAP implementation........two consumers (who work beyond their limits anyway) and one uni lecturer attended......no midwives.  I know that women are the ones who will benefit from something like NMAP, but hey! there are midwives that will be in far greater positions career wise (money wise) job satisfaction wise and so forth if NMAP does get implemented.   I suppose what I am saying is that yes, consumers need to demand change BUT WE ARE NOT THE ONES WHO SHOULD BE LEFT TO PUT OUR CHILDREN IN CARE (sorry about caps!) or drag the children to meeting after meeting with pollies; we are not the ones who should be using our home computers and resources and so forth without reimbursement; we are not the ones who should be putting families and friends second to trying to improve maternity services alone!  Here in SA we have some very strong and determined women who are not going to benefit from something like NMAP but we are the ones who are working tirelessly to get it happening.  I would like to ask all SA midwives if you agree with the NMAP and  would like to see it happen here in SA then BE THERE TO SUPPORT US SUPPORT YOU!  There is only so much that Cheryl, Megan, Jen, Emma, Carolyn and myself can do guys!  Now those of you who know me know that I am not really a bitch (well most of the time), but I am just about ready to say "stuff it" and go and dig in my rose garden and not do anything other than take the occasional phone call in reference to CARES SA.  Those  of you who know me know how passionate I am about women's rights to the best type of care - midwifery care.....but at the moment I am looking around and not seeing any midwife fighting for NMAP with us.  I know that many of you are fighting within the system, but we as consumers need to know that you support us by being there at meetings or something!  I know you work and have families BUT SO DO WE!!!!!!!!!  Anyway, I will sit back and wait for the hate mail to come rolling in....I am not attacking those of you who are active; just those who are sitting back and letting others fight a fight for you!  I have read about maintaining passion for midwifery...but not seen much commitment and support for those consumers who are  trying to keep the option of midwifery alive. cheers guys! Jo Bainbridge founding member CARES SA email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] phone: 08 8388 6918 birth with trust, faith & love...