I would definately be interested in doing it in Melbourne next year and I know my friend Helen would too. I may also be able to drum up more interest here in Echuca (I understand you had problems recently so probably arent to keen on doing it here). If the number of places in each session is only 14 any chance of arranging a rural session.
Andrea Q
Andrea Robertson writes:
Hello,
These are great programs and you don't have to go to New Zealand to do them.... we have one available in Sydney in a few weeks (November 25 -27) and this is a cheaper option!
There are a few places left - the maximum number we will take is 14. If there is enough interest, we'll look at presenting one of these in Melbourne next year, maybe Queensland too.... let us know!
You can find out more about the Sydney program here: http://www.birthinternational.com/event/intensives2004/index.html
but you will have to be quick to register, as the closing date has passed....
Cheers
Andrea
At 07:02 PM 30/10/2004, you wrote:Hi,
I have just returned from a midwifery intensive held at Maggie Banks home in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Fantastic venue, great food, and very midwife-centred (not obstetric-centred) hands on midwifery skills.
The workshops are limited to 10 visitors, and our group had 3 from Australia and 7 New Zealanders.
We covered shoulder dystocias, breech births, unusual presentations (cord prolapses, shoulder presentations etc), PPHs,resuscitation techniques, suturing, and intubation. Most of the work was done through discussion of case scenarios which therefore covered all aspects of the mother and baby's wellbeing and it was fascinating being aware of everyone's experience in birth as well as their life experiences, and how these affected their midwifery decisions and perspectives.(Maggie is the author of "Breech Birth Woman Wise" and "Homebirth Bound" - both available through Birth International.)
I was really blown away by the ease of practice in NZ - the midwives have full prescribing abilities, have access agreements to all the hospitals and their PI insurance is covered in their yearly subscription to NZ College of Midwives.
I knew all this stuff intellectually, but what I hadn't witnessed before was the way that working in a country where midwifery care is the norm becomes so self-affirming for the midwives. One of the newest midwives there, had taken on a case-load of 52 births in her first year out, some of them homebirths, and she had received $1950 for each woman she assisted (governement paid) , with a $450 extra payment for homebirths (which usually goes to the second midwife - a legal requirement at homebirths). This translates as over $100,000 for her first year of work.
It wasn't the money that blew me away, it was the struggle free attitude of the midwives. Why do you need a GP back-up they asked? In NZ the GP's gave up attending births when the midwives were granted their current status with rights to prescibe and request pathology etc, so all blood tests, swabs, u/sounds etc are all managed by the midwives - if needed of course. When they take a woman into hospital, be that a planned hospital birth or a transfer in from a homebirth, the midwives can simply close the door of the hospital room, wait til baby's born, then take the family home when they're ready. No fight, no fuss, but more help there if required. Hmmm.
I realise that the NZ midwives and community worked damn hard to attain their current work status, and I realise that something similar is what we're all working for over here, but boy, was it hard to get on the plane to come back home. And why are all you NZ midwives working over here when you've got such a great system??
I know a number of Australian would-be midwives who are getting their wings ready for NZ, and I've also heard that their numerous B(Mid) courses are very willing to take in some Aussie counterparts!!
Back to the Midwifery Intensives.
The cost was about $500 (Aust) plus airfares of $400-$500 depending on who you fly with. (Freedom Air goes straiht into Hamilton airport from most large airports). All other costs are inclusive. Spectacular setting (and a great hubby who cooks superbly), which really helps you to understand Maggie's birthing perspective, but also the reality of birthing in rural and low risk settings.
Maggie holds these intensives about once every month throughout the year.
Check out the website www.birthspirit.co.nz for more details.
Really inspirational, not too scary and a great way to both relax and learn.
Sue Cookson
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Andrea Robertson
Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web: www.birthinternational.com
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