Response to criticisms re-use of water during labour/birth at RPA We need to respond to the criticism that has been levelled against the midwives working in the RPA Delivery Ward regarding the use of water for labour/ birth. We are disappointed that the criticisms made were so public and so one sided. As a profession midwifery comes in for a lot of criticism and brow beating but to have it come from �our own� so to speak, without the full story being told is disappointing to us all and distressing to the individuals who were referred to in a derogatory manner. It is a pity one incident has been used to tarnish the entire organisation.
KGV only moved over to the new building at RPA at the end of November and has now been renamed RPA Women and Babies. Christmas fell shortly after the move and it is a time when things often grind to a halt. The move has not been easy. As with most change people are still adjusting. The relationship between the Delivery Ward and Birth Centre has always been excellent and we are very proud of this. We are supportive of each other and respectful so it is distressing to read false reports on a public chat line about a �us and them� attitude when this has never existed and we will not tolerate it existing in the future. We wish to clarify what happened re the case publicly discussed on ozmidwifery. Firstly, we have a �Use of bath in labour policy� that has been developed over the past year. It provides women with the option to have a water birth in the Delivery Ward if they so choose and it remains a safe option. We have fought long and hard to remove the distinction that water in labour and birth can only be obtained in the Birth Centre by developing a policy to facilitate its use in Delivery Ward. It is a pity that no one though to congratulate the midwives on successfully getting this policy through as it is a pretty rare thing for water birth to be allowed in a delivery ward especially in a Level Six Unit. Despite what has been said, not only have we been thrilled about the prospect of baths in every delivery room but we have prepared for this with a policy and workshops on water birth. Despite all the planning in the world what could not have been predicted was the plugs would have no attachments so could not be easily removed if needed, the cleaning of the baths policy would change and new solutions and equipment would need to be purchased, and the water dopplers ordered months ago would be held up. A �Use of water/bath in labour workbook for midwives� has now been developed to help with the final stages of preparing the midwives to care for women in water during labour and birth. Safety of the woman and the baby is paramount as is the safety of the staff. Those who work in the system as many of us do will know that if anything goes wrong with a birth in water, at home or in a birth centre the finger of blame is quick to fall regardless of the facts. It is essential we don�t allow wonderful options such as labour/birth in water to be removed forever because we do not follow basic safety guidelines. Whether this is philosophically right or wrong, it is the �real world� and there are those of us who battle everyday to make changes in this �real world�. We owe women and their families the best care. We also owe our profession support and guidance when they are venturing into new territory. Please let us start working together and not creating a �them and us� within our own profession when this attitude does not need to exist. Women will be able to use the baths for labour and birth very shortly in the RPA Delivery Ward and midwives will be able to support this option safely and confidently. Surely they should be congratulated on this great move forwards and not condemned? Regards Hannah Dahlen (Clinical Midwifery Consultant, CSAHS) Helen Dowling (NUM Birth Centre RPA) Alexis Upton (NUM Delivery Ward RPA) Kate Griew (Clinical Midwifery Educator Delivery Ward RPA) -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
