Hi Sally,
I'm sorry if you feel offended or upset by any discussion on this forum, I'm
sure no-one intentionally does that because part of the joy of it is we are
all able to talk without prejudice.
Thank god there are midwives like you working your butts off to help women
get the best birth in a totally awful system. And that is the truth the
system isn't woman centred or well informed and in the main practice isn't
evidence based. That doesn't mean everyone working in it is the same. If
however everyone was as great as you there wouldn't be this sort of
discussion happening.
Last year I started work at a brand new hospital in Berwick. A 'low risk'
midwifery led unit...we endeavor to work with women in the true sense, we
buck the system as much as we are able, which is often, and we bend the
rules constantly, however,it is hard given that the medical profession,
especially anaesthetists, have us over a barrel...this is where the rock
and the hard place come in. We buck the system and we are hauled over the
coals by the 'programme' and the medical establishment, we tow the line
and we are shot down in flames by people who regard anything to do with
hospitals as anti birthing women.
If any unit was perfect no-one would feel like they were bucking the system
or bending the rules. Policies and procedures are guildlines they are not
Australian law each woman should have equal choice. In or out of hospital.
I for one know (As I have been there myself) how frustrating it is to keep
knocking against a brick wall but if we don't all stand up and be counted
and shout loudly about the ridiculous nature of our hospital obstetric
system how will we change it. If every midwife working at the hospital
said look we are not doing continuous monitoring (for example) because it's
not evidence based then what would happen. They would have to change. Why
don't we do this. Mainly because half of the midwives feel safer with it on
regardless. It might sound like I'm talking people down and I'm sorry about
that but it is true.
Don't give up on midwifery because birthing women need midwives who feel
passionately and practice well.
Lisa
Independent midwife
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