I fully agree. It was inspirational for me to be amongst midwives who see what we do as so normal. Whilst as a homebirth midwife I feel isolated and marginalised.
It was also great to be amongst like minded folk at the homebirth Australia conference last weekend for similar reasons. It is lonely being a homebirth midwife in Australia. I guess that there are probably around 100 of us through the whole of Australia. Sally Westbury Homebirth Midwife "It takes courage to remain a true advocate for women, challenging authority and sacrificing social and professional acceptance. It takes courage for a woman to choose a caregiver who will truly advocate for and empower her." -Judy Slome Cohain -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Wednesday, 3 November 2004 3:03 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] Maggie Banks midwifery intensives for 2005 Hi Denise and others, Maggie's NZ Intensives aren't fully booked for next year and she loves having Australians there! What I meant about being fully booked was that Maggie has already decided her itinerary for the entire year - and I doubt if she'll be able to include extra trips to Australia. Do go Denise - it was really reaffirming of normal birth. The intensives are as follows: Dec 8 -10th 2004 February 2 - 4th 2005 March 7 -9th April 27 - 29th June 10 - 12th August 24 - 26th September 28 - 30th November 16 - 18th For more info go to her website; www.birthspirit.co.nz Sue > Dear Sue > How sad 2005 is fully booked I contemplating going to NZ for the reasons you > said > Denise Hynd > > "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, > indeed, they are the only ones who ever have." > Margaret Mead > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sue Cookson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 7:31 AM > Subject: [ozmidwifery] Maggie Banks midwifery intensive > > >> Hi Andrea and others, >> The cost of the Maggie Banks Intensive in Australia is $980. This works >> out to be much the same as the cost if you go to New Zealand and you get >> the lovely break as well. I flew in the day before and stayed for 2 days >> after, visiting Rotorua and seeing hours of lovely NZ. We stayed with >> Maggie and Tony - the accommodation and food are all part of the cost and >> it's a great way to meet other women passionate about birth. >> From my discussion with Maggie whilst I was over there, I think 2005 is >> fully booked already, considering she's also doing a PHD as well. >> >> Really worth the trip ... >> >> Sue >> >>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. >>>> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> ----- >>> Andrea Robertson >>> Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education >>> >>> e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> web: www.birthinternational.com >>> >>> >>> -- >>> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. >>> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. >> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. >> > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
