Re: [ozmidwifery] Obstetric Perception - Your thoughts?

[leanne wynne]

Hi All,
I run a Maternity and Women's Health Service within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in rural Victoria. I have a terrific manager who allows me to work autonomously so long as I keep him informed. An Aboriginal Maternal Health worker and I work as a team and we provide 24hour/day on call for those in labour, (or any other crisis) antenatal care, either in the client's own home or in the Health Service, labour support at home and/or in the local hospital (the local midwives are wonderfully supportive of our service) and postnatal care. We work whatever hours our women need us. We dont get paid for 'on-call' or 'overtime' but are able to take 'time-off-in-lieu' when things are quiet.
In my opinion if midwives aim to provide continuity of care then 8 hour shifts are not an option.
Leanne.

From: "Debby M" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Obstetric Perception - Your thoughts?
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 07:06:24 +0000

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I have recently been corresponding with a friend of mine who is an obstetrician.  He supports midwifery models of care, particularly those that offer integrated choice so that midwives and obstetricians can work together.

He did state to me however that he believes one of the great obstacles to such models is the reluctance of most midwives to work other than an 8 hour shift, and to possibly have to do away with family time and holidays and to be called out at odd hours to attend births. 

I am sure there are probably some out there that do like the straight forwardness of shifts however I would be interested to hear the opinion of you ladies (and gentlemen) about your experience of the dedication of midwives when they are expected to provide ongoing antenatal, birth and postnatal support - outside the normal 8 hour shift,  as my gut feeling is that the majority of midwives would love the opportunity to be able to fully use their skills in the support and care of pregnant and birthing women without unnecessary "guidance" or interferrence.

Debby

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