Hi Jayne, As the coordinator of Homebirth Access Sydney (consumer run organisation) I do receive calls from women requesting information about unassisted homebirth. I was receiving quite a few calls for a time there (averaging 1 - 2 a month, which I consider alot), however I haven't received any for a while.
It seems there are a range of reasons women are choosing unattended homebirth, it is important to remember here that unattended does not necessarily mean unsupported. Many of the women I have spoken with who have opted to go down this road are very supported (just not by a midwife) and have studied and researched extensively and know more about birth than most birthing woman and possibly some midwives. The reasons I have come across are (in order of preference) - Have had previous homebirths and don't have access to a midwife (either no one in area or midwives they have contacted are totally booked up) - A personal philosophy, something that they and their partner really want to do - Have had previous negative experience in hospital, don't want to go down that road again but can't find a midwife. - Have had previous uncomplicated natural birth in hospital, want to birth at home but can't afford/find a midwife. It is very difficult because of the nature of phone contact there is often no follow up, therefore we never end up knowing what these women decide to do and what outcomes have occurred. I do ask them to keep in touch but inevitably they don't. Looking at the statistics of homebirths with a midwife attending and homebirths without a midwife attending (which I believe is more than double), it appears that many of them are 'doing it unassisted' quite successfully. Cheers Jo Hunter Homebirth mum to 4 children HAS Coordinator INNATE BIRTH CBE and Doula ----- Original Message ----- From: "jayne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 1:43 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] HOMEBIRTH INFORMATION > Are these planned unattended homebirths being choosen because they can't > afford/have access to a midwife? Or for other reasons? > > Jayne > > > > > If anyone has first-hand knowledge of any adverse or 'near miss' outcomes > > from any PLANNED UNATTENDED HOMEBIRTHS please send it to me privately. > > > > There seems to be at least twice the number of unattended homebirths > > occurring in NSW than those attended by registered midwives. > > > > Any information forwarded will be treated confidentially (your names will > > not be published) but accurate information of cases will be compiled in a > > list of 'horror stories' that ASIM will use to try and fast-track the > > funding of homebirths in NSW. > > > > Every woman deserves her own midwife free of charge. > > > > Thanks in anticipation > > Jan > > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > > Jan Robinson Phone/fax: 011+ 61+ 2+ 9546 4350 > > Independent Midwife Practitioner e-mail: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > 8 Robin Crescent www: midwiferyeducation.com.au > > South Hurstville NSW 2221 National Coordinator, ASIM > > __________________________________________________________________________ > > > > > > -- > > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > > > > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
