Re: [ozmidwifery] Can anyone answer some questions from an English Student Midwife?

[Julie Castle]

Dear Listwives,   Thanks for all your replies, they have been very helpful. Sally, the situation seems to be the same in most of the UK, It seems that you almost have to serve an "apprentiship" in the hospital before they let you loose in community!. Some units though, seem to be slowly changing this. I don't see myself as a hospital midwife unfortunatly. I am in community at the moment with mentor who is also a caseloading midwife (one of the only ones) and it is just so rewarding to see the same women all the time. I saw my first homebirth the other day and am still on a high over it. P2 in the bath, put leg up against the wall and out swum a baby girl! Fantastic!   Thanks for your kind offer for when I come to Perth in August I will definatly take you up on it.   I did forget to ask the most important question though........Can anyone tell me if the yellow wiggle is married?!   Love JuliexXx     ----- Original Message ----- From: Sally Westbury To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 12:42 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Can anyone answer some questions from an English Student Midwife? Hi Julie,   I�m in Fremantle WA.   I have to admit I laughed when you asked if you can go immediately into caseload here in WA because currently only 150 women each year are given government funded access to a caseload model. That is the Community Midwifery Program http://www.communitymidwives.org.au/   The other options in WA are team practices like the Family Birth Centre at King Edward but they only employ midwives with experience post grad. It seems pretty backward to me when you are not permitted to work in a low risk unit. Surely that is what we as midwives are trained to do. You can work in the high risk setting and get lots of practice in abnormalities which will help you recognise normal birth??? It is all a bit crazy for me.   In the meantime when you are in Perth feel free to contact me and you might like to meet the local community midwives.     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