Re: [ozmidwifery] hep C and homebirth

[Helen and Graham]

Title: Bericht

Hi Lieve   Have all of your other women been tested for Hep C and Hep B before you accept them for homebirth?  What I am getting at is that you/they have more than likely already (unknowingly) looked after other women who are Hep C or B positive.  Do they discriminate against these women? This is why people often fail to disclose their status - because of discrimination.   Also, they may have been negative at the time of their first antenatal blood tests and then contracted any of these diseases without us/them knowing.    That is why we practice "standard precautions" for all clients as we can never be totally sure what we are dealing with.   Good luck   Helen     ----- Original Message ----- From: Lieve Huybrechts To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:26 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] hep C and homebirth Hoi friends,   Last week I send the question about hep C and homebirth. Since then I got a lot of information and I could decide that homebirth was not a problem with some precautions to protect ourselves. But I have a problem with my colleagues. We have a practice of three midwives and the other two refuse to help the mother, saying that they think the risc is to much to take. She was also a drugaddict, but clean now for several years. She had recent a partner with unsafe sexual behaviour (several partners). My colleagues say that she is responsible herself for what she got and take the consequences of it. I believe that everybody needs a second chance.   They say, considering our teamwork that I have to refuse her too. They are angry at me. I feel that refusing her is some discimination. How should you handle this in your practice?   warm greetings Lieve       Lieve Huybrechts vroedvrouw 0477/740853 www.geboorte-infocentrum.be __________ NOD32 1.1208 (20050902) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 2/09/2005