[ozmidwifery] The Caesarean section interview

[Jackie Kitschke]

Dear Liz, I watched your report on Caesarean sections on Sunday night with amazement and horror that such incorrect, biased and sloppy journalism could be fed to the Australian public. As Justine Caines made mention of in the interview there is a plethora of research on the side effects of using a major surgical procedure to perform a normal bodily function. Where were the epidemiologists, midwives, obstetricians, researchers and consumers who could have provided you with the facts? Instead you trod the well worn paternalistic path that women's bodies are not capable of birthing giving the impression that natural birth is a bit to "unladylike" and earthy to fit into our modern life. I don't know on what basis Tracy Curro made her astonishing claim that the birth day of a baby isn't important. There is abundant literature that tells us this is a very important day for the development of both mother and child. You missed an opportunity to engage in mature and honest debate around an important issue and instead delivered us the infotainment your program is famous for.   Jackie Kitschke Midwife and mother of Ena (6 months) after a normal birth at 38 years of age with a fully functioning pelvic floor.