[ozmidwifery] On a lighter note re the Politics of Midwifery

[Robyn Thompson]

I have read joy's email and the response from Barbara.   I just want to simply say that this ithe reality of politicing, I reiterate we should not base our judgements on fear.  As the midwives and women before us fought for their 'causes' that is history.  We just continue on a united pathway to make our political stance on the issues that concern us.    I am an optimist, I don't not feel like I am one of an oppressed minority.  I am very lucky, I belong to some healthy, active groups such as Maternity Coalition, Australian Society of Midwives and Maternal & Child Health.  I provide a service for many wonderful women and their families, who make me feel very wanted and special.  I do not feel like my livlihood is under threat because women are asking for the services of a midwife and I have right to challenge and appeal any unfavourable situation.   We just need to keep up the good work and the women will make the necessary decsions about our livlihood, without them there is a problem for independent midwifery.  I have just spent two weeks in Sydnet and the phones are running hot, calls from women all over the place wanting their own midwife for homebirth and hospital birth.  The market is alive and well when we do not let ourselves become envelopted by fear and frustration.  T   I don't feel 'they' are out to get me, in fact no one is infallible.  We need to support each other.  Think of the wonderful years of midwifery so far and think of the wonderful stats that prevail.  I also believe that we cannot expect the legal profession to work pro bono for us especially in this economic climate when students have to pay for their education, women pay for private services, we pay for service. We earn a living and in this society we pay for services, unless we can arrange some sort of bata arrangement.    Hope this leaves us on a brighter note, to keep plugging away "progressing" as it were, and win over some of the politicians who just don't understand the reality and depth of our work, by presenting ourselves as the wonderful people we are.    Robyn