Mackay Birth Centre is certainly on track ... I hear nothing but praise of your work.
I'm sure having the centre situated AWAY from the main building makes a huge difference. It seems the closer the Birth Centre is to labour ward the higher the transfer rate.... the 'partnership' that was with the women begins to include 'other parties' and that certainly influences the woman's decision making when she's most vulnerable.
You can be very proud of your efforts in Townsville ... I hope you keep publishing the results of your work.
Do you have a Townsville Birth Centre website? There is bound to be a computer whizz amongst your consumer supporters who would set it up for you .... that way you can take Townsville Birth Centre to the world and include your consumer feedback. You will be amazed at the number of overseas midwives who will 'visit' you. I hope to meet up with some of you at the ICM in Brisbane in July.
Regards
Jan
Jan Robinson Independent Midwife Practitioner
National Coordinator Australian Society of Independent Midwives
8 Robin Crescent South Hurstville NSW 2221 Phone/Fax: 02 9546 4350
e-mail address: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> website: www.midwiferyeducation.com.au
Hi Jan,
�
I agree that there can be a huge difference in what is regarded as a 'birth centre'.� Here in Mackay we have a birth centre which is a small house at the back of the maternity unit.� There are four midwives and we care for women from early pregnancy through to the birth and beyond.� The postnatal stay is a maximum of 24 hours and then we follow up with home visits for up to 10 days after the birth.�
�
We don't make decisions for the women but encourage them to be informed and take responsibility for decisions relating to the birth etc.� We have a library (including videos) which the women can borrow from.� There is no set time limit with appointments, and aside from antenatal classes we try to do a lot of education with each visit.� There is strong consumer support and involvement with the birth centre (including a reference group which helped formulate the original policies).
�
The whole philosophy of the birth centre and the midwives is that pregnancy and birth�are a normal part of life.� We have many beautiful natural births here - no�routine�VE's,��no CTG's in labour, birth in the place and�position that the woman chooses and many physiological third stages.� The birth centre here has been�here for over 10 years now and has had over 1000 babies born in that time.
�
Cheers,
Michelle
Jan Robinson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:
Hi Di
There was a Birth Centre Network NSW wholly funded by NSW Health a few
years ago, but not sure that it is still functional.
I can remember a concern of the network at the time that no women from
disadvantaged groups ever used the existing birth centres so a lovely
little pamphlet was designed and distributed (courtesy of NSW Health)
that attempted to define the birth centre concept and explain the
advantages to women who used them.
cover page was titled ...
Birthing Place for All Women
pic of baby inserted here
BIRTH CENTRES
inside was ....
What is a birth centre?
*A place to have your baby away from Labour Ward but still part of the
hospital
*In a birth centre each room has a double bed, chair, curtains and nice
furnishings
*The midwives of the birth centre will see you right throu! gh your
nate-natal care, labour and after birth
*A doctor will be called if problems arise
*Medicare covers costs for birth centre care
Why use a birth centre?
*You have your baby your way
* It's a relaxed, friendly atmosphere
* You can have your own support - whoever you want
* A natural birth is encouraged with hot showers, baths and hot packs,
but if you want there is the gas or needle for pain (hard to believe
this one!)
* Cultrural practices are respected and encouraged
Who can use a birth centre?
Almost all women can use a birth centre, but you may need to book in
early
Who will I see?
Usually the midwives are female
You may be able to have shared care with a general pracftitioner,
obstetrician or private midiwfe
People to talk to
.... there followed the local birth centres and Social work department
contact detaiils as well as aboriginal medical service.
Lots of work went into dev! eloping this pamphlet and as far as I can
remember no feedback data was ever collected or the success of it's
dissemination evaluated. Shame about that.
If you really want a good definition of a Natural BIrth Centre - here
is the one I like best .........
A Natural Birth Centre is
* a safe, home-like place to have your baby.
* managed by midwives who are specialists in natural birth
* for women who plan to have their baby naturally.
* located in (or near) a public maternity hospital that facilitates
medical referral if necessary
The Birth Centre midwives provide care for low-risk women throughout
pregnancy, labour, birth and afterwards.
The Birth Centre education program aims to empower women and their
support people with a unique understanding of pregnancy and birth
knowledge that facilitates participation in decision making related to
the birth of their baby.
I don't think any of the so called Birth Ce! ntres can say they adhere to
all the above criteria. I would like to hear from any who think they
do.
I would like to see the development of Natural Birth Centres attached
to each and every public hospital in the country. There would need to
be a transfer of staff out into Community Midwifery programs ... The
Community premises would become the Natural Birth Centres of the future
and the focal point for women who wish to arrange for a home birth as
well. Midwives who see their career pathway as becoming specialist in
natural births do not rotate through labour and delivery suites and
commit themselves to community services and forming partnerships with
women rather than be placed on the rotating roster within a maternity
unit.
This is something that needs discussion at national level - perhaps put
on the ACMI executive agenda.
Cheers
Jan
Jan Robinson Independent Midwife Practitioner
National Coordinator Aus! tralian Society of Independent Midwives
8 Robin Crescent South Hurstville NSW 2221 Phone/Fax: 02 9546
4350
e-mail address:website:
www.midwiferyeducation.com.au
On 16 Jan, 2005, at 10:43, Ken WArd wrote:
> The birth centre where I work offers midwife care throughout
> antenatal, intrapartum and post natal. We encourage non-drug use in
> labour, but do have gas and morphine. These are NEVER offered,� and
> not given on first ask.� It is between the midwife the woman and her
> supports when drugs are used, the vast majority do not even think
> about it. �Nitros does not affect her choice for a water birth, but
> morphine does, she can labour in water.� Iv therapy can be given to
> rehydrate if necessary, and ceased once a litre has been given. We
> have research based policies, and are therefore more liberal than
> delivery suite.� eg 48 hours RM! , 42 weeks before induction, trans. to
> DS.� �No CTGs. Physiological 3rd stage except for previous pph and 'at
> risk' such as prolonged second stage.� We inundate our clients with
> info, pros and cons, and encourage them to do their own research.�
> They are usually home in 24hrs.� We are no longer doing VBACs, due to
> obest. intervention..���������� Maureen
> -----Original Message-----
> From:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Ofdiane
> Sent:Saturday, 15 January 2005 12:05 AM
> To:[email protected]
> Subject:[ozmidwifery] Birth Centre
>
> Ok, ive outed myself now,
> I have been lurking on this list, drawing upon the wisdom of all you
> beautiful, passionate women, for some time now and I finally have a
> question.
> What ! is the accepted Australian definition of a "Birth Centre"? Is
> there one?
> Our midwifery led, low risk unit offers team midwifery and hopefully
> soon, caseload care. Our brand new unit is linked closely to the
> maternity ward where we have only postnatal care.
> We have obstetricians available on call, and they have the ability to
> perform an emergency c/s if needed.
> We would love to call our new unit, with it's big baths in all three
> birthing rooms, a birth centre as this would help to demedicalise the
> concept and help us bring our midwifery services to the local women
> and the community.
> Any thoughts?
> �
> Di.
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