Re: [ozmidwifery] midwife is a midwife...?

[Mary Murphy]

Sue, I think that the lack of "continuity of care" models contribute enormously to the attitude of women to their labour & birth.  During 1-2-1- care we have the opportunity to educate women on WHY labour is important to both the woman and the baby. (a la Michel Odent & Sarah Buckley)  Why it is important that the baby be born drug free.(Many midwives do not know)  This all leads to that sense of connection that is important between mothers and their babies.  If the hospital based midwife was the "continuity of care midwife" then she wouldn't be the enemy, she would be the woman's trusted friend.  Just like I am when we go in for a necessary CTG, IOL or C/S .  The closure of Birth Centres is never just from lack of consumer demand, but has a lot to do with Politics & lack of support from GP's & Obs. The lack of demand follows the other.  Why the Demand for medicalised birth?  It is because the Obstetricians  & general public have no sense of appreciation for the power & beauty of birth. It all seems to be negative, no positives in sight!  It is a long hard road back, and as Sheila Kitzinger says, it only takes one person who is out of tune and militantly problem- oriented, to poison the atmosphere.  The damage can be repaired in pregnancy, but not under the present system.  The more contact a woman has with midwives in the preconception phase and pregnancy, the less fear she has.  Keep on truckin babe! mm   -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.