[ozmidwifery] Letter to the Ed published!

[Tania Smallwood]

Following the article in the Adelaide Advertiser last week about our private hospital caesarean section rates, I am amazed that I had this letter printed, first letter on the page, big headline, wow!   Many birth Choices for mothers…   It sadly comes as no surprise to those of us in involved in the birth consumer groups in SA that some private hospitals have excessively high caesarean section rates.  We are witness to the incongruence of the system on a daily basis, with hundreds of women a year accessing us for information and support, both before and after their births.    Many of these women are looking for answers to why their birth journey was not as they had envisaged it, and ways in which to make it better next time.  The fact that many women don’t know what their choices are precludes them from making truly informed decisions, and heavily impacts on their outcomes physically, mentally and emotionally.   The Birth matters consumer support group runs regular birth choices seminars, aimed to inform women and their families of all their choices regarding the different types of pregnancy care available, place of birth, pain-relief options and pros and cons of interventions in labour and birth, just to mention a few of the topics covered.   I would like to second Sandra Kanck’s appeal for women to become more educated in this most important and transforming time of their lives, and to be truly in the driver’s seat when it comes to their birth.  For further information about the next birth matters seminar, coming up in November, I am happy to be contacted via email….   Tania Smallwood   How’s that!!!!!!!   Tania Xx (waiting for the influx of registrations for the next seminar!)