----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 12:57
AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] FW: 60 Mins
& Caesarean Section
Well said Justine!
I recently attended an ACMI Seminar in WA on
Waterbirth. A neonatologist who spoke reported some statistics
which are worth emphasising in our talks with women, and
letters to media -
Babies born by caesarean section are
16 times more likely to need to be admitted to special care nursery due
to respiratory problems related to their mode of birth;
and
Babies born of women whose labours
were induced are 4 times more likely to be admitted to special care
nursery.
One would hope all mothers-to-be would regard
these statistics as compelling reasons to avoid both interventions if at all
possible. Keep up the great work! Regards, Lois
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 8:46
PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] FW: 60 Mins
& Caesarean Section
Hi all Here�s a message to Ann and a
letter to the Ed
JC
xx
------ Forwarded Message
From:
Justine Caines <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date:
Mon, 07 Jun 2004 23:45:27 +1100
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject:
60 Mins & Caesarean Section
Dear
Ann
I was disappointed to see your piece regarding the 60 Mins story.
I appeared on the show as the �natural birth advocate� I am in
fact the National President of Australia�s only national maternity advocacy
organisation, The Maternity Coalition. I work for 30 hours each week
(unpaid) to try and improve maternity services for Australian women, with
particular emphasis on enabling women to make a range of choices and to
receive better support (especially in the post-natal
period).
Considering you are passionate about choice you may like to
assist us to to provide a full scope of choice. Through our work and
research available we know that the majority of Australian women would
choose to be cared for by a known midwife if this care was funded. One
to one midwifery care is recognised by the World Health Organisation as the
most appropriate and cost effective care for normal pregnancies (around
80%).
In New Zealand women have been able to choose either a midwife, GP
or Obstetrician for over 10 years. Before the choice was available 14%
of NZ women chose a midwife, now 70% of women do.
In Australia 0.2%
of women can chose to be cared for by a known midwife.
I would be
happy to talk with you about this further, and hope you can assist
Australian women to make the best choice for them. Below is a copy of
a letter to the Editor.
Kind regards
Justine
�����������������������������������������
Justine
Caines
National President Maternity Coalition Inc
PO Box
105
MERRIWA NSW 2329
Ph: (02) 65482248
Fax:
(02)65482902
Mob: 0408 210273
E-Mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ann Peacocks piece praising the 60 Minutes on caesarean section
birth sadly missed the point.
I appeared on 60 Minutes as the
�natural birth advocate� I am in fact the National President of Australia�s
only national maternity advocacy organisation, The Maternity
Coalition.
60 Minutes approached with a story of the little known
risks of caesarean section, that of emergency hysterectomies after caesarean
section. Although they were aware of the information 60 Minutes
did not reveal that in Victoria there has been a 140% increase in the
last 3 reported years (20 in 1999 to 48 in 2002) of emergency hysterectomy
following caesarean section. On March 29 the Age
reported
�Professor King, who chairs the committee that gathers
data on childbirth in Victoria, said he believed that caesarean section
should be advised against where there was no medical reason for the
surgery.�
Women should have choices in childbirth. Our
organisation has committed Mother�s across the country working voluntarily
to improve maternity services as they raise their own children. Anne
reporting your own experience does nothing to provide women with facts or
enable them to make informed choices about such an important life
event.
Compared with normal vaginal birth caesarean section increases
the chance of the mother dying by up to 6 times, many babies born by c/s
require admission to intensive care (due to respiratory distress as their
lungs are not stimulated by the birth process), in around 10% of cases
babies are cut in the process. And after all that the rate of urinary
incontinence is similar for women who have had natural births and caesarean
section. In fact a study actually found religious Nuns who had never
borne children similarly suffered incontinence . Women deserve to know
the facts before they choose.
�����������������������������������������
Justine
Caines
National President Maternity Coalition Inc
PO Box
105
MERRIWA NSW 2329
Ph: (02) 65482248
Fax:
(02)65482902
Mob: 0408 210273
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
------ End of
Forwarded Message
