[ozmidwifery] JW's - prejudice?

[Susan Cudlipp]

Hi all I was very saddened this week while doing ante-natal clinic.  I had a 32 week primip who had been booked at the family birth centre, she was transferring to our care because, as she is a JW and would not accept blood products, she is deemed to be high risk and not allowed to birth at the FBC.  Her alternative option was to transfer to the tertiary unit, to which the FBC is attached, and submit to fully actively managed 3rd stage which included an IV infusion of synto.  FBC clients have to accept active management anyway, i.e. IM synto, but this woman had to agree to so much more and was denied FBC care. Apparently this is a new policy and I can't imagine that the FBC midwives are happy with it, but really - who makes these decisions, and based on what evidence?   Sue "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke