[ozmidwifery] Letter to Miranda

[diane]

Heres my letter to Ms Devine.....   Dear Miranda,   Yes Miranda, baby Natalia's death was indeed tragic, as is the death of any baby.(Playing politics... 26th Feb 06)  As the tribunal stated... there was no guarantee the baby would have lived if a caesarean had been ordered. This situation also happens in large hospitals with hot and cold running specialists.. in fact statistically it is more likely to happen in that situation. What if the theatres are full? That means just as long a wait for surgery in a unit where staff are on call. Why do you continue on to demonise midwifery models of care? Or small unit safety? If you had done your research instead of just spruiking for a doctor, you would have found a recent study released by Prof. Sally Tracey which clearly and definitively proves the safety of smaller birthing units in Australia.   As for a transfer of resources to the Central Coast.... well ..     a) There IS life outside of the great metropolis, where families deserve to be able to exercise choices in care.... or do you suggest a birthing woman from Budgewoi should risk birthing on the side of the F3 in a rush to RNS?? and...     b) About the biggest thing that the Central Coast got from the amalgamation is a share of the large debt, which has lead to a staffing crisis in Central Coast maternity services, where there is an embargo enforced on recruitment. This means that no new appropriately qualified midwives can be employed... hows that for safety?   Your warning about political meddling in childbirth is appropriate. What about unnecessary medical meddling in childbirth? That is just as dangerous. Miranda, do your homework. The figures about midwifery models of care vs. medical models speak for themselves. Yes, women should have a choice about birth. What you want to take away from them IS CHOICE, a choice of where to birth. It is a woman's choice if she wants to birth in a small, friendly, non medical environment where her midwife will protect her dignity and the sanctity of birth to allow the natural process to unfold without dangerous medical interference.   Miranda, when are you going to stop this unfounded scaremongering?   Diane