Title: Re: [ozmidwifery] ACT homebirth?
Hi Tania
No it’s not outlawed!!!
It should have been free, Barb Vernon and I actually got it in the ACT budget, but some very naive midwives sided with the head Ob and thought they could do it within the confines of the CMP.
That did not last long. The policy that was developed was the worst I have seen actually asking women why they choose Hb over the safety of Hosp, and asking them if they were aware that they would not have drugs (making them sound VERY attractive and necessary).
They also refused to allow midwives to carry oxygen and their answer was to simply call an ambulance.
It was a ridiculous situation.
Since then there has continued to be one independent midwife providing services, there was a couple of midwives working in the system also doing homebirths but I don’t think they still do.
A more recent development has been the ability for CMP midwives to provide private services “on the side”. Which is positive as 1 independent midwife is hardly sustainable.
The fabulous report into maternity services (chaired by my former boss!) that included a trip to NZ and made fabulous recommendations was totally canned by the Health Minister (17 months after it was released). Ironically he had used the CMP for both his children and yet he refuses to increase capacity or offer women greater choice. He did however commit to greater resources for the NICU.
Glad to see the world staying exactly the same with women rating so poorly! Each day I have more respect for those suffragettes who threw themselves in front of race horses!! I need to think of a less lethal action however. A Parliament House birth still!!
Kindest
Justine
