Re: [ozmidwifery] place of birth and outcome[long]

[Anne Moore]

hi, i am working in the public hospital system after many years as a LMC in NZ prior to that in the UK this is for family reasons and the obvious insurance issues, but mainly family at this time. I work in birthsuite, generally a lower socio-economic area, i work with like minded midwives, but over time they themselves are not empowered, so in effect unable to empower women. i am in a senior position so i have no problems with the medical fraternity as my knowledge base is greater than their's, if policies become involved in the  birth process , women can be informed and supported, women i care for have lovely active births, policies are guidelines that with experienced practitioners can be seen to be worked with. I do feel that a great deal of time women are not educated adequatly antenatally and generally request shared care with a GP that has not been involved in the syatem for a period of time. women need to support the midwives clinics available and request continuity of care for their birth experience. we as midwives will continue to try to acheive this and will endeavour to implement a team model, i also believe that by gently supporting , educating and nurturing our midwives, colleagues and women, progress can be acheived. one main problem i see is the large number of IOL's at 40+7  i believe that a term pregnancy is 38-42 weeks gestation, over the years have known many women to birth at 42 weeks, but this will not exist in time. when discussing this with women i find that it is generally " if the doctor thinks its ok !!" or i am tired and when its over the sooner the better !!! there is a definate lack of understanding of the birth process etc. the key education, my daughters believe in the birth process, i was born at home in the uk. women need to believe in their ability to achieve great things.i feel i am a complete midwife, i do not need medical input when caring for women, i always make myself approachable to my colleagues, and allow them to practice as midwives,i am clear and firm with mo's i educate them , anyway the summary of this garble is that contiuity of care is the key, empowering women including midwives, consumer's and midwives supporting NMAP educating Doctors, been accountable, first to the woman and her family, then to the system, working in partnership with the family etc etc. horizontal violence is, in my opinion related to professionall jealously, and their own lack of experience in the normal process of birth, including fear.there should be a complaints process, maybe try to follow that, as we are consumers too, this is too long !!to finish i am not a hospital midwife, FIRSTLY, I am a woman and a mother, who has the privilage of working in partnership with women and their families during their birth experience,  secondly, my "title" for this wonderful role in Australia is "Clincal Nurse Midwife " in NZ " Lead Maternity Carer" in UK "Midwife." hope this helps regards Anne.--- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 5:26 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] place of birth and outcome[long] Happy New Year,   This year I have attended 6 births Some dec babies were late [10.12 and 15 days] and 1 jan baby early [38plus]   and 2 on time which resulted in one baby on the 2nd of jan and then 5 births in 4 days.   2 pg homebirths; 1 mg home birth; one private hosp vbac; and 1pg birth centre ; and 1 birth centre mg. ONLY 4 of these 6 women had nvds.   All had myself with them and were cared for at home even if planning a home birth.All were well prepared for normal birth I think all could have had a normal birth.   So whats the piont of this Can you guess who had the c/s and who had the forceps I really think u could and if so why do we continue to practise like we do ? or why don't things change.  Sue Cookson explained the abuse of her client last week and I again witnessed the same the horizontal abuse towards MIPP is horrific why?    WHERE ARE THE MIDWIVES IN THE MEDICAL MODELS i REALLY EXPECT THEM TO STAND UP AND PRACTISE OR TAKE ON THEIR HANDMAIDEN ROLES OF PATHETIC DRS HELPERS,AND[ ALL THIS WELL U HAVE A LIVE BABY STUFF BE HAPPY,] AS WHAT THEY DO . One couple said to me they thought the midwife was the ctg technician that mw was her mw for 8 hrs. There are fantastic mws working in the system BUT they are rare perhaps women are punished if they have a MIPP with them ? What can we do to prevent abuse to women during childbirth tired angry mw who isn't content with 6 healthy babies sorry about length please Hospital midwives give me some insight . jan