Last one... FYI Dr Barbara Vernon Executive Officer Australian College of Midwives Inc Level 1, 97 Northbourne Ave TURNER ACT 2612
Ph: 02 6230 7333 Fax: 02 6230 6033 www.acmi.org.au Media RELEASE Friday 5 September 2003 SEPARATION OF MOTHERS AND BABIES DOES NOT WORK In a country that prides itself in providing safe maternity care too many Indigenous women and babies are still dying, a national meeting of midwives being held in Darwin heard yesterday. National statistics show the rate of death for Indigenous mothers is 2 to 3 times higher than for non-Indigenous mothers. The reliance on �high tech� obstetric services has been unable to improve these poor outcomes. The practice of separating women from their communities and towns to give birth at obstetric centers is in urgent need of review was the message from a number of speakers at the Darwin conference yesterday. The wider implications of transferring women to regional centers to give birth adds to the emerging social disintegration of families. Indigenous women are saying �You mob just aren�t listening�. Giving birth with family support has been shown to make a difference. Midwives, Aboriginal health workers, and older Aboriginal women working together with communities, make births safer. The health of the next generation is also at risk. We now know that the high rate of Indigenous babies born too small or too soon will affect the future levels of chronic disease in Indigenous communities. Aboriginal controlled health services like Congress Alukura in Alice Springs, while showing improved outcomes for pregnant women, have never been adequately resourced to provide the service those women want. Many Indigenous women across the NT want culturally safe birth with the support of midwives, health workers and families in both hospital and community settings, the conference heard. International evidence in Canada, the United States and New Zealand demonstrates that safe and effective maternity care can be provided in remote settings to Indigenous populations. The Australian College of Midwives urges both the federal and state governments to listen to Aboriginal women and to act now to provide services that improve outcomes for Indigenous mothers and babies. The conference being held in Darwin this week is the national biennial conference of the Australian College of Midwives and has brought together more than 400 midwives from across Australia, including managers, practitioners and educators. MEDIA CONTACT: Sue Kildea 0418 289 199 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
