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Hello,
I have hosted about 11 students and midwives from
all over the world, over the last 10 years or so.
It depends on where the girls ( I've only had
girls), are from, and what the school requires ( if they are students) as to
what happens with the legal issues. I find most schools cover the time the
student is with me.
Usually I find a stay of about one month useful,
however, the longer the better as it allows for more education.
I've found that the midwife exchange student is
better off staying with me. I have accomodation upstairs. That way, when someone
goes into labour, I'm not waiting for anyone, it also means, the student doesn't
require a car.
I've also found the students usually travel in
pairs, however singles have also come, it works well both ways.
I only charge for accomodation at this point,
however, as it's becoming so popular, perhaps I should start to charge
hey!
I think it's a wonderful idea, I encourage other
midwives to do the same.
I find the students a joy to have, and the exchange
of knowledge is always welcome!
The other advantage, is they get to do LOTS of
sightseeing!
Regards
Robyn Dempsey
Independent Midwife
Sydney,Australia
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 5:54
AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] midwifery
exchange
Hi all,
I am having preliminary thoughts about
starting some kind of sponsorship program for midwifery exchange.
Earlier this year I met a Finnish obstetrician, who only does gynegology and
homebirths at the moment. ( Only 4-6 homebirths / year. We only have some 20
homebirths in our country..) Every year she travels to Holland to spend time
with the local midwives. She said she needs this to boost her confidence and
get inspiration for what she does. After this I have been wondering if I
could start to sponsor (trough my maternity business) one midwife or midwifery
student every year to travel somewhere for 2 weeks or 2 months to
see how women labor and give birth in the non-medicaliced environment and
care. This could be spending time with a homemidwife or maybe at a
birthing centre or even both. If there happened to be some great homebirth
conference around the time, wouldn't that be perfect for her. I think going to
Holland the language might be bit of a problem, but US, UK or Australia would
be great, since most people do speak good english.
Has anyone heard of programs like this?
Are there some legal issues, I should worry
about?
Do you think there would be homebirth midwives or
birth centres in Australia, which would take exchangees like this?
What would be a good length for the stay?
Do you think the exchange midwife could stay at
the hosting midwife's home or would she need an apartment?
Would it be better if two midwives from same unit
would go, so they could share their experience and maybe be stronger to change
things once they return home?
What kind of a payment you feel the hosting
midwife would want for this time?
Almost twenty years ago I spent a year in
Adelaide as a Rotary Exchange student. I lived with the local families and
attended high school. I must say it was one of the best years in my life and
it had a huge impact on my later life. It was great to learn so much about a
different culture by living with these families. I am still very close to the
people I stayed with and consider them my family. Have been back five times
since then =). I am just thinking how much this experinece could change one
midwife's views and practise...
Please share any thoughts you have about
this.
Regards,
Päivi Laukkanen
Childbirth Educator
Finland
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