Maureen, I am not sure what language the family primarily speak, but firstly they would need the offer of an interpreter, preferably from a migrant resource legal centre and legal advise. Above all, if the family agree ..... there should be an FOI request for all documentation put in with the hospital/s asap - as this usually takes up to 45- 60 days. If there is a patient advocate employed at the hospital/s, they are usually ''on the ball' and can also provide support.
I am not sure what state you are in but... there is for legal support eg: Legal Aid but also places like "Public First" and "Liberty Victoria" - who have excellent lawyers, barristers (QC's) who would be likely to agree to represent the family. In legal terms however, it appears there are two cases here, with both the mother and the father. Perhaps too, if the family consent to this.....Maternity Coalition or another consumer rep organisation could lobby the Health Minister of the state/territory you are from and some clear thinking senators. If in NSW I could recommend that you consider contacting the office of Kerry Nettle (Greens) immediately, and speak with her adviser Jon Edwards. Finally, the family should also be advised that the relevant Health Care Complaints body of the state/territory they live, the medical practitioners board etc etc, are also appropriate avenues to appeal to. Well the hospital should have heard the word "assault" by now and be shaking in their boots. But be aware this is the classic time when documentation can be destroyed, changed etc. Thank goodness, you were able to educate some one there. I would be happy to provide contacts for any of the above mentioned if that is helpful to the family involved. Please feel free to email me directly. Kind Regards, Sally-Anne Brown Apollo Bay, Victoria. -----Original Message----- From: Ken Ward <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Saturday, 13 December 2003 8:50 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Thanks >Recently a woman turned up in labour. Breech presentation. They had been to >their local hospital during the pregnancy and told ALL breeches were C/S. >They had seen a private OB, who also strongly suggested a C/S. So I guess >they turned up in labour, to an unknown hospital presuming they would have a >vaginal birth. NO WAY. Treated like criminals, they were forcibly shunted >off to the first butcher shop. Here they were promptly forced to OT where a >caesar was performed, with the father restrained by a security guard. At 2am >he had had enough, and wanted to take his wife and baby home. Found himself >scheduled and in the looney bin. If this isn't a case of assult,I don't >know what is. What has been done to this family so horrendous. Unfortunately >they are immigrants, I donot know how good their English is, or if they are >able to utilize their legal rights. Unfortunately I wasn't on when this all >happened, but have heard the story from people directly involved, including >the graduate midwife sent to OT with them. NO ONE stuck up their rights, >acted as advocate, and were not aware this was assault until I told them. >This is so scary...... Maureen > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Wayne and Cas >Sent: Saturday, 13 December 2003 7:48 AM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Thanks > > >Hi Diane, > >If they are feeling bullied at all they should seriously consider >videoing the birth, taking photos of CTG readouts and maybe even getting >the husband to take in a dictophone recorder in his pocket. We took a >digital camera that also takes short video footage (as memory allows) >and videoed the moments just after Daniel was taken out without anyone >knowing. > >I know this sounds extreme but they will want evidence of bullying if >things don't go well. > >We have just had a woman come to our local homebirth group who wanted a >vaginal breech birth in hospital and she fought tooth and nail against >the system and eventually got her way, but there was a lot of pressure >and bullying along the way. She had a three hour labour and an easy >birth but the doc still did an episiotomy without her consent! She is >now going to tell her story to the media in the hopes that it will >encourage other women to stand up for their basic right to a natural >normal birth if things are going smoothely and there is not an evident >need for intervention. > >Sometimes the only way to get a natural birth is to threaten to sue. Are >you giving her birth support Diane? > >Hope this puts some fire in her belly.... Sending lots of empowerment >vibes. > >Cheers, > >Cas. > >Cas, Wayne, Liam and Daniel McCullough >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >www.casmccullough.com > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Diane Gardner >Sent: Friday, 12 December 2003 9:31 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Thanks > > >Just want to thank you all once again for your help with my twins mum. > >Up until Monday getting her relaxed for her HypnoBirthing classes was >easy and she was so loking forward to a natural birth but then after >visiting the Ob she was a mess. I sent her all the options you gave and >she is much more relaxed and more than anything else it has reinforced >the fact that she DOES have choices. > >Claire, the birth story on the UK site was really good and very >positive. It is good to have sites like that to reference. It had some >great links to other sites as well. Wouldn't it be good to have a >register of really good sites to visit. That'd be a good job for one of >you organised Virgos. > >Seriously though I only hope that they are strong enough to stand up for >their rights because I think they thought they had been so violated and >no choices. It was so sneaky that the Ob deliberately has avoided all >discussion of the birth until my client AND her husband were determined >to raise it on Monday. > >Anyway I will keep you informed on her progress and a VERY positive >birth outcome. > >regards >Diane > > > > >-- >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. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
