Re: [ozmidwifery] Gold Coast Midwife

[rem & melissa bruijn]

Title: Re: [ozmidwifery] Gold Coast Midwife

Hi, Tory, I am in Brisbane but know quite a few fantastic people on the Gold Coast who could support your sister-in-law (don't actually know any midwives, but these people I am recommending will - and support can come from all angles!).  I hope it is ok - I have forwarded your email to Deirdrie Cullen, who is a member of the GC Home Birth Assoc and a wonderful contact for any pg woman on the Gold  Coast.  Her ph humber is : 55332258. Also, I recommend that your sister-in-law contact Sarah Buck, a Childbirth Educator/Doula who is currently supporting my best friend as she prepares for a vbac.  I have also spoken to her on the ph and she was great.  Her number is 55 908 101.   THe Gold Coast has quite a rampant c/sec rate -  and from friends I hear it is very difficult to find support from an OB.  But hopefully your sister-in-law will be able to meet some of these women and surround herself with positive and informed support. Plus, Dr Andrew Davidson is an OB at John Flynn Hospital at the Gold Coast who does water births and I believe is supportive of vbac, so may be more open with your sister-in-law about her options, too.   Also,if your sister-in-law has internet access, I suggest she contact ICAN (International Caesarean Awareness Network), for more information, as they are fabulous in that area.  The best way is to get on their chat list and just ask the questions.  The site is www.ican-online.org, and the chat list address is : send an email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] .  In the body of the email, simply type the > word > subscribe.  Don't put anything in the subject line. > > You'll get an email back with further instructions about how to > validate > your request -- just remember, always use plain settings on your > email, or > the list program won't hear what you are trying to do! She could also contact me at Birthtalk (3356 7449).  My sister-in-law is a midwife and together we run this support group for Birthing Women in Brisbane, if she needs to talk. Hope this helps, Melissa "birthtalk : Sharing, Empowering, Celebrating Birth".   We aim to : * provide a forum for women to share their thoughts, expectations and experiences of birth * empower women by providing  access  to current  and accurate literature & information about their birthing  options *encourage an atmosphere  of celebration of birth, and of ourselves as women. birthtalk meets monthly at Toowong, in Brisbane, Australia email us at : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Melissa : ph (07) 3356 7449 Debby : ph (07) 3379 7424 Karen : ph (07) 3720 1101 ---------- From: "Victoria Howell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Midwifery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [ozmidwifery] Gold Coast Midwife Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 5:59 AM Dear Ozmidders,   My name is Tory Howell and I am a first year midwifery student in Adelaide. I am writing to ask if their are any midwives in the Gold Coast region that could help my sister-in-law. She is due on the 11th of January but has been told to have a c-section. I saw her not long ago and asked her why this was recommended. She couldn't quite give me a clear answer so I thought I would ask you all what you thought!   She has quite prominent varicose veins on her inner left thigh which give her quite a bit of discomfort. She also has a swelling in her left groin almost in the labia region. (No varicose veins visible in this spot). She has been given stockings etc... to try and make here more comfortable and a obstetrician actually said that she could try a vaginal birth but a hospital based midwife told her to go for the c-section option. She is quite distressed and confused when I saw her as she just wants to do the safest thing for her baby and I felt she was leaning towards the c-section option but there is no way her husband will be able to take much time off while she will be recovering.   I would really like her to see a more open minded midwife for some clear discussions of her options, so if there is anyone out there who can help, it would be greatly appreciated. I am going to try to be with her for the birth and stay as long as I can to provide some support.   Kind regards,   Tory  XXOO