Dear people Please note in your diaries the National Mothers’ Day of Action, which is planned for 8 May in Vic, WA and NSW. Other States are planning a day or so earlier, but it’s all happening close to Mothers’ Day. We are pulling out all stops to lobby the federal government to change maternity services – it’s a federal election year, so expect them to listen to what you want, cos they want your vote. The federal health budget controls Medicare funding, and Medicare funding is what puts most prenatal care into the hands of doctors. Nothing against doctors, mind you. It’s just that they aren’t midwives, and the only way for a woman and a midwife to work in partnership is for the midwife to be primary carer through the pregnancy and birth and early parenting. The evidence supporting one-to-one midwifery care is meaningless as long as women can’t access primary care from a known midwife.
You will have seen Justine’s article about this action in Birth Matters. For those on these lists who are not current members of Maternity Coalition, you may not have seen Birth Matters. If you go to the group website and you will find a .pdf version of Birth Matters March 04 ready to be downloaded. People in all States, please contact your branch president and get yourself included in the planning (listed in BM or on HYPERLINK "http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au"; www.maternitycoalition.org.au ). Be part of the Action… Join mothers, fathers, children, midwives, child and maternity services groups, other health professionals and media to voice our concern about the lack of choice in maternity services for Australian women. On the day… Speak to politicians and candidates about what you want in maternity care Ask Questions and get Answers from midwives and consumer activists Meet other concerned parents and professionals Show your support for improving maternity care and informed choice for women. Bring the family, the esky packed with lunch, … and celebrate informed choices in pregnancy and mothering with us. a mother in 1973. Also some shaving gear! Perhaps I should wear a veil! Enough dreaming. Please let us know if you want to be involved. www.maternitycoalition.org.au -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
