[ozmidwifery] re: goodbyes

[Tania Smallwood]

I’d like to add to the current conversation about cord blood gases…   I’ve been lurking just lately, as many of you know, I’ve had to make a difficult decision to stop practicing independently due to family commitments…and so, when the bloke I’m married to is actually here, I don’t spend as much time as I used to reading and contributing to Ozmid.  Just yesterday I had a few moments to catch up, and when I read the thread on blood gases, I was sure that I’d missed some mails (perhaps I have, there seems to be a few problems with mails doubling up, or getting temporarily lost in cyberspace!).  Halfway through the mails, it seemed to go from a lively and informative debate, (something that’s been missing from this list for a while IMHO) to a slinging match, with people getting upset that others are honest and up front about their views.    Can I just say that I know Lisa B, and if there is a midwife who has walked in the shoes of every midwife torn between hospital policy, threat of losing her job, and what’s best for the women, it’s Lisa.  She’s worked in a position of authority for over 2 years at one of Adelaide’s esteemed private hospitals, and I’m sure the conversations we’ve had about what she had to fight for there are only a small portion of what actually goes on.  She’s well aware as we all are, of what a battle it can be in the system, and along with me, and all the IPM’s I know, has utter respect and admiration for those attempting to change things one birth at a time.  I also see Lisa as a straight talker, and sometimes even I find it confronting to hear what she has to say, and I know her better than most on this list!  But that doesn’t mean that I pack my bags and go away, I may not agree, or I might think hey, that’s a bit blunt, but I also think that she’s made me think about things that I’d otherwise just go along merrily with, and not look at in a truly critical light.  I actually think that along with everyone on this list, she has oodles of knowledge and skill, and heaps to contribute.    I know I will never be a strong enough midwife to do what most of you do, go in every day and beat my head against that wall and hope to Goddess that a woman gets away with a good birth.  But please, don’t stop contributing because it’s hard.  Being a midwife is a hard road, no matter where you decide to direct your skill and passion.  We’re a downtrodden minority group, with ideals about women that are not shared by most of the people in power.  Refusing to keep the dialogue going is never going to be productive, all it will do is stagnate us where we are, and I think we all want midwifery and provision of evidence based maternity services to improve and become stronger in this country.   That’s all from me for now,   Tania x -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.4/476 - Release Date: 14/10/2006