Re: [ozmidwifery] who is really there for women ? long

[Justine Caines]

Title: Re: [ozmidwifery] who is really there for women ? long

Hi Julie and all

I totally agree.  Collaboration is the way forward but medical control of midwifery is not collaboration, collaboration is a 2 way street not something dictated by Obstetrics.  Midwives must have an  scope of practice in their own right (and this is what the Dutch do).  We need to acknowledge that midwives are experts in the normal and that when conditions change they collaborate and refer to other providers.  This is what the ACMI national guidelines for referral and transfer are going to be used for.

As for independent homebirth practitioners, we legally don’t have them (this is the choice women are most unable to access) there is no respect for the professionalism of midwifery outside the system (by Government) as they have not only refused to assist with indemnity but in NSW  and VIC have made it illegal for any health practitioner to practice without insurance.

Public funded homebirth is a very important choice as it will allow so many more to access it.  It will no longer be an elite private service.  However there is no evidence for and significant evidence against a homebirth program being managed in the acute setting.  Obstetricians are not trained in normal birth.  The safety and success of homebirth is in the relationship and trust between midwife and woman (not obstetric protocol).

Birth Centre transfer statistics and protocols speak volumes.  Once again obstetric control “allows” a little bit of midwifery and then reins in where it sees fit (often against evidence and not in the best interests of women).  With the current ‘obstetric crisis’ we have the best opportunity to develop stand alone midwifery programs.  We do not need to accept a re-hash of what we have now. The UK now has 70 odd freestanding birth centres and some very positive work on providing all women who want homebirth with it and providing women with the real facts on C/S risk.  So no we don’t need to ‘speak’ Dutch!!

Justine

Acting National President Maternity Coalition
National Co-ordinator, Homebirth Australia

Mum of 3 and a half


Dear Justine

We all know there are better models of care for example in Holland but to transplant that model here, rapidly would be about as difficult / impossible as trying to change our culture to the extent of making Australian’s speak the Dutch language.

If we have birth centres, midwifery group practice, hospital based homebirth models and independent homebirth practitioners – then women have a range of options from which to choose.

If we prevent one of these then we are limiting women’s choices.

In solidarity, we need to be working together, to strengthen ALL options, which empower women and midwives to work together.

For credibility, it needs to be evidenced based and collaborative in approach. The Dutch collaborate.

Warmest regards,

Julie

Julie Clarke CBE

Childbirth and Parenting Educator

ACE Grad-Dip Supervisor

NACE Advanced Educator and Trainer

 

Transition into Parenthood

9 Withybrook Pl

Sylvania NSW 2224.

T. (02) 9544 6441

F. (02) 9544 9257

Mobile 0401 2655 30

email:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

www.transitionintoparenthood.com.au



-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Justine Caines
Sent: Saturday, 11 October 2003 7:39 PM
To: OzMid List
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] who is really there for women ? long

No Jan not just one to one midwifery, but stand alone midwifery where midwives and women decide what is best and when they need medical assistance.  To me Birth Centres continue to set women up while ever they are under medical control.  A penny for every time I’ve heard I went to the BC and wanted natural but I just couldn’t etc etc!

NZ with it’s radically better system has not seen the outcomes it should have and the Kiwi’s say this is because of the medical protocols underpinning the system.  This is why we can’t settle for midwifery programs under the acute setting AT ALL! and this is what NMAP says.  I think some forget this periodically, but I DON”T!!

In solidarity

Justine



Jan that is absolutely appalling!!! What was the outcome? What are you and the family going to do about it.
                                      Linda Trewern

 
 
----- Original Message -----

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 7:46 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] who is really there for women ? long

THEY ARE A HEALTHY HAPPY, WELL PREPARED AND CONFIDENT COUPLE BOOKED INTO BIRTH CENTRE AN TAKING MW ALONG

1ST BABE TERM PLUS 5 DAYS srom SMIDGEN OF MEC  CTG PERFECT 2hrs later and she is in good labour standing with monitor on working happily adjusted well with transfer and then-------- the grand pooh barr arrives
minimal intro of self no intro of others [4 others in total] up on bed umm get the portable U/S and see what the PP part is.
Oh its head first she says he glares at her they rush to his command TO GET THE U/S MACHINE

I introduce myself he nods I ask if he knows I am an independent midwife he tells me he knows EVERY THING ignores me and turns to woman glumly he says

I am sorry u have meconium do u know what that means?

yes she said that is why I am here the baby has done a pooh and thetas probably normal but I will need to adjust my birthing plans to include the monitor

meconium is serious HE SAYS yesterday a baby died because of meconium all nod

the young dad to be bravely said but our baby looks great on monitor

nothing to do with it this baby was on monitor and by the time we got to theatre it was dead sigh meconium

we could do a c/Ds now and hope for best

she looked defeated he cried in fear
and

they all stood behind him looking grave and  nodding and I thought wow is this for real?

This is why one to one midwifery care from a known midwife must happen to stop this abuse
Jan