[ozmidwifery] Midwifery in the UK

[Andrea Robertson]

Hi Oz listers,

I read Jo Bainbridge's comments about the lack of support from midwives in OZ for those consuemrs working their butts off for NMAP, and I empathised with her sentiments exactly. Right now I am slogging my way around the UK trying to get midwives to look at their practice and to rediscover their midwifery roots, because midwifery is on a slippery downward slope here in the UK.

One reason that midwives are unable to go to meetings etc is that they are overworked because of short staffing etc. When midwives have to work as obstetric nurses this leads to burnout and despondancy. Finding extra time and commitment to go to meetings may just seem impossible.....
This comment is not intended as an excuse for not getting more invovled, nor a "let out" for midwives - I think they should make that extra effort, because not only will they advance the cause of their own profession, but they will reconnect with passionate consumers who will help to lift their spirits and remind them of what it is all about.

I had a shocking experience the other day at a Conference in Wales - too long to write it all up again here - but have a read of my Diary entry. http://www.birthinternational.com/diary/index.html
This is happening in Australia too, I feel sure and we must fight to make sure it does not become widespread.

I am hoping that the next Future Birth tour in April will expose a lot more midwives to NMAP and also to ACMI - the last Future Birth tour attracted over 1100 midwives in all, and very few of them were ACMI members, for example. I hope to get a similar number to this series so we can spread the word further and inspire the younger midwives to take up the challenges. Please spread the word! The details are on our web site. http://www.birthinternational.com/event/futbirth2003/index.html

Yours from a wet, cold and windy Wales (wish I could bring some of this rain home with me in 2 weeks!)

Andrea

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Andrea Robertson
Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education

e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web: www.birthinternational.com


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