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...
