Re: [ozmidwifery] rural maternity services

[diane]

They have a hard enough time finding midwives to work out that way too. My mum is a midwife who is working on contract at Narrabri on a regular basis (Wee Waa is a bit over an hour from Narrabri I think??) but as in most rural units there is very little choice of care. Cheers, Di (L) ----- Original Message ----- From: jo To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 11:59 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] rural maternity services Wow Di , what a fabulous story!   I have a doula client birthing in Jan. She is from a place called Wee Waa and they have no maternity services. She is traveling 4 ½ hours to Bathurst to stay with family before her due date. There are also no doula’s out that way so I am traveling 2 ½ hours from the lower mtns to Bathurst to be her doula. It just seems so crazy and I really feel for these women. She’s expressed how she’ll prob go straight to hospital because she doesn’t feel comfortable labouring in front of her teenage nephews and brother in law.   I’ll have a chat with her about your success story Di.   Thanks for sharing   Jo   From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of D. Morgan Sent: Monday, 23 October 2006 11:17 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] rural maternity services   Hi Louise, Just a comment about rural maternity services or lack of!! I am a midwife in a rural facility and was hitting my head against the wall trying to get birthing back to our town. We have a Midwives clinic which wasn't well attended and lots of times couldn't bring postnatals back because we had no beds. (We are now marketing our product to the local GP's!!)   Well one day, about 6 mths ago; along came two consumers from our town to ask why we had birthing taken away and why we couldn't get it back . This spurred me on again and together they(as a group) of consumers/Midwives are at a point where the district has set up a committee to work out the appropriate model of care for our birthing women. It can be done, but it must come from consumers and they must lobby there local politician and district health service for support. Our group affiliated with Maternity Coalition who have been really wonderful. From a Midwives perspective I have learned so much in the last 6 months and feel supported to continue the fight for our community. Go for it. You only need one or two passionate people. Cheers Di M