Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 01:55:17 -0700

So I got a little frustrated: I used quotes and entered " free standing birth centres in Australia" and go nada, nothing...so I changed Australia to USA and still got nothing, then i removed the quotes and for the USA I got actual birth centres, go take a look, for Australia I got research. so I don't think we have one?
 
marilyn
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 6:22 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres

Hi Kim and all:
 
I too am interested in free-standing birth centres here in Australia as they were very common in the state of Washington where I practiced bewfoire moving back home. Because the system there is very different than NZ I will explain sort of how it worked. A free standing birth centre is exactly that a birth centre that is free from a hospital in every respect. It may be a private home with bedrooms that are birth suites, or a couple of motel like rooms in a building that also houses midwifery and other healthcare provider offices. No matter what it physically looks like in the State of Washington the building has to meet certain health and safety  requirements set out by the department of health (DOH). Also there has to be a currently practicing MD on the board of directors and there are also some more requirements about who has to be on this board (this requirement would obviously vary with jurisdiction). There are also requirements for minimum equipment such as suction and oxygen, stethoscopes etc. Yes it is all laid out nail by nail. Midwives who attend births there have to apply and be approved by the board.  And, the state lays out the risk levels of women who may birth there: no breeches or twins for example. Obviously this varies by state because breeches and twins are the speciality at "The Farm" but that is in Tenessee. So in essence the state has a whole lot of rules and regs that apply to birth centre births but not homebirths because at least in the USA the state can tell you what to do in a public building (which a licensed birth centre becomes even though it is preivately owned) but NOT in your own home. Yes the birth centre had to have insurance but so did the midwives. You are right Kim, at least in Washington, if there was no physician (OB and paed) to back you up then the hospital you would transfer to was required to provide it, by law. Also by law you as a midwife had to know this by noting the same on your license application.
 
So, that being said more or less as an example, does anyone know if there are rules and regs for free-standing birth centres in any states or territories of Australia. Margie I think said the ACT was in the process of developing a free standing birth centre: do you mean the building or the rules and regs?
 
I do remember from birthing my first 2 daughters here in the 1970's that there were Maternity Centres in Qld, one at Corinda (where I went) and one at Boothville but they have long been closed down in the 1980's I believe: I guess they weren't modern enough. In any case does anyone know how to access the laws that govern maternity centres or have they been recinded. If they still exist could they apply to free standing birth centres.
 
I did a google search for "free standing birth centres, Australia"  and found on  Andrea's website she has a section on choosing your birth place and I copied this: "In some places, free standing Birth Centres have been established to provide home-like births for those who wish to pay for a private service. These units are usually staffed by independent midwives, who have back up arrangements with local obstetricians and hospitals. Ask for full details of the services they offer and the costs involved. " but no info on where they are. Kathleen Fahy at Newcastle Uni also supports them according to my search. The big question remains where in Australia is a free standing birth centre?
 
In Seattle midwives located them close to midwife and homebirth friendly hospitals so that women from areas where the back-up hospital was hostile could have a close to homebirth experience within safe distance to a receptive hospital should transfer be necessary.
 
I will search somemore
 
marilyn
----- Original Message -----
From: Kim Stead
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres

I don't think our 400 odd cows would enjoy QLD but I sure would! 
 
 
-------Original Message-------
 
Date: 17/09/2004 10:54:52 a.m.
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres
 
Kim,
 
I'd move down there to open one with you...just wait until i've finished my training!!!
 
Or I'd really like to move to QLD, so maybe we could move there????
 
Kirsten
 
~~~start life with a midwife~~~
----- Original Message -----
From: Kim Stead
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres

 
Excuse my ignorance, but what's the deal with PI insurance and birth centres?  I know midwives can't obtain any but wouldn't a birth centre facility actually own the insurance just like any other medical establishment?.  As for obstetric back-up, you just transfer to hospital if that is what is required??  That is how it works in NZ.  Run by midwives, no other medical staff other than nurse aids and when women require medical intervention or consultation, they transfer to hospital either by car or ambulance.  I am getting the same comments in independent practice "but you don't have obstetric back-up".  What do they think the hospital is?  Are they not going to treat the woman because she has been foolish enough to chose safe and cost-effective maternity care to optimise the chances of a normal birth?  Seems so simple to me but of course I am still a bit green!  I would appreciate some enlightenment and bringing back down to earth if need be.  :-)  I just can't seem to understand why everyone wants to make it so complicated - present company excluded.
 
Kim.
 
 
 
-------Original Message-------
 
Date: 17/09/2004 9:31:25 a.m.
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres
 
Hi All,
I think the main issue is the lack of PI insurance and obstetric backup.
Leanne.
 
 
>From: Ceri & Katrina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres
>Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 08:55:26 +1000
>
>Well I'm going to actually finish my course first!!   Then who knows!!!
>I live on the central coast of NSW
>
>Katrina :-)
>On 17/09/2004, at 7:05 AM, Kim Stead wrote:
>
>> 
>>Well guys - what shall we do about it???  Where do you all live because of
>>course, I would love it right on my own door-step!  Maybe we can franchise
>>it!!  :-)
>> 
>>Kim.
>> 
>>-------Original Message-------
>> 
>>Date: 17/09/2004 12:14:11 a.m.
>>Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres
>> 
>>Tania & Laurie wrote:
>> 
>> > I'm another with the same dream!
>> > Tania
>> >
>> >     ----- Original Message -----
>> >     *From:* Ceri & Katrina <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >     *To:* [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> >     *Sent:* Thursday, September 16, 2004 7:53 PM
>> >     *Subject:* Re: [ozmidwifery] Free Standing Birth Centres
>> >
>> >     Kim
>> >     You and I should talk, as I also have this same dream!!! :-)
>> >
>> >     Katrina
>> >
>> >
>> >     On 16/09/2004, at 7:57 PM, Kim Stead wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >         Good question Abby!  I have no idea but would like to know
>> >         what the reason is.... apart from the standard line "/not
>> >         enough anesthetists"./  One of my dreams is to build one so I
>> >         will be keen to see if anyone knows the answers!
>> >
>>ME  TOO!! Anyone in Northern Perth??
>> 
>>Jo ;)
>> 
>>--
>>This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
>>Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
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>><imstp_emo_en.gif>
 
 
Leanne Wynne
Midwife in charge of "Women's Business"
Mildura Aboriginal Health Service  Mob 0418 371862
 
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