Hi Justine
well im only starting that rotation tomorrow so im not really sure what it entails fully. i did do a final year medicine obstetrics rotation through sydney university though and it was truly appaling to be honest. it was not even compulsory to attend a single birth, it was all learning about complications. there are doctors graduating from sydney uni whos only experience of birth is caesareans !! they havent seen a single baby pushed out by a mum. there is a lot of work to be done in educating doctors and i feel it is one of the most important steps in changing most obstetrician's interventionalist attitudes.
from what ive heard from other newcastle students, our rotation is better. one of our assessable tasks is to follow through 2 or so families through the last month or so of pregnancy, attending antenatal appointments and getting to know them, then attend the birth and then go to their home for a home visit to see how the
family is adjusting a few weeks after it. everyone finds that really rewarding and i have seen at least one of my friends attitudes to birth transformed by it. she was lucky enough to get a wonderful strong woman who birthed her baby kneeling on the floor and politely refused to get on the bed when asked because the MW had a bad back. she said 'well would you mind getting me someone else because im very comfortable here and not going to move.' my friends view of birth was really changed by that woman and i think its a great 'assignment'
one of the other unis (maybe monash?) has a similar thing that starts in 1st year of medicine and you actually follow the child and family through until preschool age which is think is brilliant
so i cant really answer your question until im finished the rotation but i know if you got in contact with Andrew Bisits, who is one of the coordinators, he would be interested and happy to talk about it. he seems to be
really in to getting med students interested in birth. i would love to show some movies including 'gentle birth choices' and i will suggest it to dr bisits. they already think im a bit batty so it cant hurt !! i can foward an email to him if youd prefer that to ringing him
i for one would love to see you come and talk about your experiences !
love emily
Justine Caines <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Emily
I have been wondering for a while do they have any consumer input at Newc Uni when teaching Obstetrics?
I am thinking actually hearing from a woman about her experiences et etc. Not the interaction with current pregnant women.
As I remember the Newc Uni course is a bit different (is it still called Community Medicine?)
Just thought it would be good for students to understand the enormity of the experience and perhaps to see a video of a birth under a womans own steam!
We have some great advocates in Newcastle so it would be possible...
Kind regards
Justine
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