[ozmidwifery] congrates Abby!
Congratulations AbbyI cant remember, is this your first? Birth beautifully. Jo XXX CARES SA www.cares-sa.org.au Maternity Coalition www.maternitycoalition.org.au Bloomin Good Birth www.bloomingoodbirth.com.au -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.3 - Release Date: 3/15/2005
Re: [ozmidwifery] PPH
What about the relevance ofstored iron or ferritin levels?? Denise Hynd "Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by anyone, our bodies will be handled." Linda Hes - Original Message - From: Jenny Cameron To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 2:18 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] PPH Hello Monica As far as I know WHO call 500ml a PPH. They acknowledge that 1000mls is probably manageable physiologically in a healthy woman but their policy statements are global and the 500 mls is to take into account the many anaemic women in the world. Brucker (2001) states that the average woman loses 500 mls in third stage. My own experience would agree with this. 1000 mls is a considerable amount to lose, even for a healthy woman. It is a matter of knowing the woman's Hb prior to birth and if she is healthy and of average height and weight with a good Hb; 12 or above, she probably can withstand up to a litre, certainly 800 mls without going into shock. O.K. she won't go into shock but a big fluid loss could mean she will be slow to establish a good breastmilk supply or she may take a while to recover postbirth. A few thoughts. Hope it is helpful. Brucker, M. 2001. Management of the third stage of labour: an evidence-based approach, Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. Vol 46:6. Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACMPO Box 1465Howard Springs NT 0835 0419 528 717 - Original Message - From: Michelle Windsor To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 3:01 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] PPH Hi Monica, In the WHO guide to care in childbirth it says is that up to 1000 ml blood lossmay be physiological in healthy populations. This WHO guide was published in 1997 I think, and I haven't yet seen a more recent edition. You can purchase it through Birth International (www.birthinternational.com.au ) Hope this helps. Cheers Michellemh [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all,I sent this yesterday but it didn't come through to me at least so apologies if it's a repeat.There were some references a while ago about the WHO defininition of a PPH as being over 1000 mls. As we are now being required to go the most extreme lengths to treat "PPHs" of 500mls or more, even if not causing any symptoms and bleeding is settling, I would love some evidence to suggest this is overkill. Can anyone point me to the WHO document?Thanks,Monica--This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
Re: [ozmidwifery] big baby
Hi, Is 4kg that big? My last little homebirthed darling was 4kg born. I was *so* proud. I knew she was big, plump and gorgeous by just looking at her. I wanted her weighed straight away so I could brag about how well I'd grown her and birthed her. Thankfully my wise midwives reassured me that she would be just as big in a few days when they weighed her - I didn't have to dirupt the first day by doing that. Love, Barb - Original Message - From: Jenny Cameron [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 12:12 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] big baby Hello Belinda Down Syndrome infants are usually smaller than average. If both she her husband are tall a 4kg+ baby would not be considered unusual. AFP is affected by many factors and a woman's weight is one factor. This site might be useful as it states that most elevated maternal AFP levels have no identified cause. http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2org_id=92gsec_id=2016sec_id=2016 item_id=2045 High Risk Obstetrics Print this page Elevated Maternal Serum Alpha Feto Protein Description a.. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein made by the fetal liver. If there is a break in the skin of the fetus due to a birth defect, it is found in very high levels in the amniotic cavity. b.. AFP also crosses the placenta and goes into the mothers blood stream. c.. Women are tested during pregnancy to determine how much AFP is in their blood. d.. The level of AFP in a womans blood increases as pregnancy progresses. e.. To determine if a woman has a normal amount of AFP in her blood, it is important to know the gestational age of the pregnancy. f.. High amounts of AFP in the blood may indicate a birth defect in the fetus which has caused a break in the skin. g.. Several birth defects are associated with increased amounts of AFP in the maternal blood stream: h.. Neural tube defects a.. Neural tube defects are a family of conditions including spina bifida and anencephaly. b.. Spina Bifida occurs when there is an opening in the bony part of the spine, causing the spinal cord to be exposed. a.. The severity of Spina Bifida depends on where the defects is in the spine, and how big it is. They can range from conditions that are very mild with very little effect to very severe conditions all depending on the size and location of an opening in the spine. b.. Small defects low in the spine may have little impact on a childs life. c.. Children with large defects may not be able to walk, or control their bowels and bladder. Some of these children have problems from fluid build up in their brains (hydrocephaly). d.. Surgery is almost always needed to close the opening in the spinal cord. c.. Anencephaly is a lethal condition where the top of the skull did not close over the brain and the brain did not develop. a.. There are no survivors of anencephaly. b.. These fetuses lack most of the brain d.. There is an increased risk of chromosome abnormalities in fetuses with neural tube defects. e.. Other birth defects may also be present with neural tube defects. i.. Gastroschesis is a defect in the skin that covers the abdomen. Bowel comes out of the defect and sits in the amniotic cavity. There are usually no other birth defects found. a.. Fetuses with gastroschesis often have problems with proper growth(IUGR). This may neccessitate delivery of a baby early (preterm). b.. These children need repair of the defect immediately after delivery. c.. In 90% of cases, children survive without any problems. j.. There may be other less common birth defects that may cause elevated maternal AFP. Impact on Pregnancy a.. Elevated maternal serum AFP may cause anxiety in parents. b.. The first step in evaluating elevated maternal serum AFP is an ultrasound c.. The ultrasound will determine if the gestational age of the fetus is correct. d.. The ultrasound will also look for evidence of birth defects. a.. Less than 5% of fetuses will have a birth defect. e.. An amniocentesis is often offered to women to determine if the level of AFP is also increased in the amniotic fluid. a.. If the amniotic fluid AFP is normal, there is very little risk of the birth defects described above. b.. If the amniotic fluid AFP is high, a birth defect is very likely. Further ultrasound evaluation will be performed. f.. Most cases with elevated maternal AFP have no identified cause. g.. These pregnancies are at increased risk for slow growth, still birth, placental
Re: [ozmidwifery] sharing 'different' info
Funny you should say that! I had already planned a few days with Ina May as well as a conference in Philadelphia. Thanks everyone so far for all the ideas! They are awesome! katrina :-) On 18/03/2005, at 2:39 PM, Kim Stead wrote: Well I would go to Holland and 'See' birth as it should be then I would go to NZ and spend time with Maggie Banks - breech birth and guru midwife!!! I'd then probably go to the US and visit with Ina May Gaskin on the farm! Dreams are free!!! Kiwi Kim ---Original Message--- x-tad-biggerFrom:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au/x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerDate:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger 03/18/05 11:51:59/x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerTo:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au/x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerSubject:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger Re: [ozmidwifery] sharing 'different' info/x-tad-bigger Spend 2 weeks with the midwives of the Community Midwifery program in Western Australia! MM > ideas on places or people or conferences that would be interesting/ > lifechanging etc etc that I can 'plan' to go and see?? > > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. imstp_emo_en.gif>
[ozmidwifery] First birth
I am studying to be a Midwife, doing a Diploma of Mid, here in Queensland. Coming from NZ and having had my babies at home, I have a pretty 'normal' view of birth, so have found Midwifery here somewhat surprising if not shocking! I had the pleasure of 'catching' my first baby last week. I was a little saddened that my first baby was born by Caesarean Section!! I have spent the last week working in a private hospital, where it seems nearly all babies are born by C/s. It seems so tragic that these women who are paying for the 'best' care are being cheated of what can be the most rewarding and amazing experience of a woman' life. I know that some women need to have c/s, but the first c/s I witnessed was for Breech presentation, imagine my surprise when the baby came out head first. The next one was because the baby was 'huge'. I weighed that baby... just on 8lb. It all seems distorted with women choosing Specialist care that seems to make them at higher risk for any birth interventions, particularly c/s. Yet women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems that, that 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife. Disillusioned:( Lindsay -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth
Hello Lindsay It is frustrating working in a pte hospital because the contract is between the woman and her practitioner. There isn't anything we can do when we finally meet the woman except give her our best care. What we need to do is enlighten the next generation. In particular, go into the kinders and primary schools and teach the public health benefits of midwifery care and normal birth. One of my survival tricks is to create a midwifery circle or space around the woman I am caring for and do whatever I can the midwifery way. Obs will usually leave BF management and other 'basic'cares up to the midwife. During labour we can help women with their pain management before resorting to an epidural. There are lots of little 'delaying ' techniques that can be implemented such as going to the toilet. This usually takes 30-40 minutes when women are in good labour, which can mean another centimetre!! Hang in there, you will have more choice when you are finished your mid course and can work in other settings. Cheers Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM PO Box 1465 Howard Springs NT 0835 0419 528 717 - Original Message - From: Mike Lindsay Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:21 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] First birth I am studying to be a Midwife, doing a Diploma of Mid, here in Queensland. Coming from NZ and having had my babies at home, I have a pretty 'normal' view of birth, so have found Midwifery here somewhat surprising if not shocking! I had the pleasure of 'catching' my first baby last week. I was a little saddened that my first baby was born by Caesarean Section!! I have spent the last week working in a private hospital, where it seems nearly all babies are born by C/s. It seems so tragic that these women who are paying for the 'best' care are being cheated of what can be the most rewarding and amazing experience of a woman' life. I know that some women need to have c/s, but the first c/s I witnessed was for Breech presentation, imagine my surprise when the baby came out head first. The next one was because the baby was 'huge'. I weighed that baby... just on 8lb. It all seems distorted with women choosing Specialist care that seems to make them at higher risk for any birth interventions, particularly c/s. Yet women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems that, that 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife. Disillusioned:( Lindsay -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] big baby
Have seen a woman with a previous 4+ kg baby born normally have a CS as US said this one was 5 kg. Turned out to be smaller than the first!!! What a waste. That was around the time I two catches, both second babies and both easy births one 10lb 12oz and the other 11lb. Cheers JudyBelinda Maier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Just looking for some ideas to help a woman in my antenatal class today .She has apparently got a 4.2 kg baby by ultrasound at 37weeks. She is veryuncomfortable and now worried. The ultrasound was done because of increasedfundal height 5cm in 1 week. The baby had no abnormalities although a highfeta alpha protein early in pregnancy. The parents refused any furthertesting. Does anyone know if Downs syndrome could be a factor? also any tipsI can pass on to her, I have discussed with her the probs with ultrasoundweights, big babies, birth, she is very tall as is her husband, stressingabout the size in labour affecting her labour ... I am pretty caught up inother stuff at the moment which means my pot is boiling over! I want to makesure I can help her. ThnaksBelinda--This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth
Lindsay wrote women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems that, 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife. Why is it that women have to wait so long at public clinics? All the women I ask to attend a pub clinic for homebirth backup booking tell me the same. sometimes it is a factor in them not going for the visit and refusing to return at a later date. The Obs has his receptionist and ? one other? why do we have so much support staff in hospital clinics and yet it can take all morning waiting for an appointment . It makes women feel as tho they are 2nd class citizens. Is there an efficiency expert out there that could fix this? MM -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] First birth
Why is it that women have to wait so long at public clinics? I can answer this question in respect to the local public hospital. I worked in clinics a few weeks ago. They make appointments from 8.00am. No doctors start before 9.30 at the earliest. Of course the women have to wait for hours! They are reporting up to 5 hr waits! I think it is appalling, but of course being the student, there isn't a lot you can do. I did suggest to women (unofficially) that they ring to see if the appointments were running on time to see if that would minimize the wait. The other thing that causes problems, is that there are more women booked often than there is enough time for. Lindsay -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mary Murphy Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 12:16 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth Lindsay wrote women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems that, 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife. Why is it that women have to wait so long at public clinics? All the women I ask to attend a pub clinic for homebirth backup booking tell me the same. sometimes it is a factor in them not going for the visit and refusing to return at a later date. The Obs has his receptionist and ? one other? why do we have so much support staff in hospital clinics and yet it can take all morning waiting for an appointment . It makes women feel as tho they are 2nd class citizens. Is there an efficiency expert out there that could fix this? MM -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.4 - Release Date: 3/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth
Because the Obs do not work their rosters out properly. The obs who is running the clinic is also 'on' for all public work...C/S, birth suite etc. This is so in at least one public hosp. Probably the bean counters being miserable. Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM PO Box 1465 Howard Springs NT 0835 0419 528 717 - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 11:45 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth Lindsay wrote women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems that, 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife. Why is it that women have to wait so long at public clinics? All the women I ask to attend a pub clinic for homebirth backup booking tell me the same. sometimes it is a factor in them not going for the visit and refusing to return at a later date. The Obs has his receptionist and ? one other? why do we have so much support staff in hospital clinics and yet it can take all morning waiting for an appointment . It makes women feel as tho they are 2nd class citizens. Is there an efficiency expert out there that could fix this? MM -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] First birth
I remember lengthy waits at my private obs. Also, women tend=d to turn up for antenatal clinics at the same time, and usually early. I noticed those that came late in the day were seen quicker, because everyone else had come at the start of clinic.Maureen. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jenny Cameron Sent: Sunday, 20 March 2005 1:44 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth Because the Obs do not work their rosters out properly. The obs who is running the clinic is also 'on' for all public work...C/S, birth suite etc. This is so in at least one public hosp. Probably the bean counters being miserable. Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM PO Box 1465 Howard Springs NT 0835 0419 528 717 - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 11:45 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] First birth Lindsay wrote women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems that, 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife. Why is it that women have to wait so long at public clinics? All the women I ask to attend a pub clinic for homebirth backup booking tell me the same. sometimes it is a factor in them not going for the visit and refusing to return at a later date. The Obs has his receptionist and ? one other? why do we have so much support staff in hospital clinics and yet it can take all morning waiting for an appointment . It makes women feel as tho they are 2nd class citizens. Is there an efficiency expert out there that could fix this? MM -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] wiating times
"The other thing that causes problems, is that there are more women bookedoften than there is enough time for." Surely these women DO get seen and aren't turned away? So if they can see them then they could stop booking appointments for so long before the drs arrive? As I said, a good efficiency expert could fix it. MM
[ozmidwifery] Fw: Bringing up the prematurely hip article
This is just a bit of light humour - but could still offend some. Wish they'd been around a few years ago! I tried to send this once already but it didnt appear to work - sorry if there is a double up. Helen Bringing up the prematurely hip March 19, 2005 Parents raised on rebellion are not letting their babies near fluffy bunny suits, writes Helen Razer. When broadcaster Lynne Haultain brought Eve Marie into the world two years ago, a friend gave her a baby-tee that said "Mother Sucker". "Frankly, it was a welcome antidote to pink frills," says Haultain. It also signified a break with tradition. Haultain believes that these shirts are the inevitable consumer by-product for a generation raised on rebellion. "My generation of women is now the elderly punk primigravidas," she says. "This T-shirt evoked that memory of punk and upheaval." A quick survey of bub couture in any busy Australian shopping strip reveals that the crocheted matinee jacket has all but disappeared, making way for spikier threads. In the past few years, several businesses devoted to the production of wayward-wear for babies have opened their doors. The printed shirts range from the gently mocking "Give Peas a Chance" to the crass bestseller "I Love Boobies" and all shades of naughty in between. (Take the Fitzroy mother seen strolling in Brunswick Street with her toddler tucked into a shirt that read: "F--- This Family, I'm Moving in with the Osbournes".) Whether this shift represents a humorous protest by a generation of women brought up to believe they could have it all (career, kids and autonomy), or a shameless visiting of maternal angst upon innocent babes is debatable. Either way, the shirts are selling like hot rusks. "These T-shirts function as a tongue-in-cheek fashion statement," says Mary Scarff, the owner of a St Kilda menswear store with a sideline in kids' couture. "They're saying, I'm not precious about my role as a parent, I want to have fun with my baby." Scarff, a mother of two small children, never intended to branch into children's clothing. When her girls began to provoke smiles and envy with shirts that read "I'm Small But I Know My Stuff" or "Centre of the Universe", Scarff decided to stock children's shirts made by Sydney company Well Spotted in her Barkly Street shop. "You might think that these T-shirts are being bought as a bit of a laugh by friends or relatives," says Scarff. "Quite honestly, it's mostly mothers." Caroline Nesbitt, the woman responsible for bringing catchphrases such as "Kid Vicious" and "I Love Punk" to the crawling masses, says these shirts represent a moment in time. The founder and owner of the Rock Your Baby brand, she says of the trend, "It's completely driven by this specific generation of women. We who went to school in the '80s were told to expect a life of career and family perfection." These mothers, she says, are getting wise. The catchphrases are a comic remedy to the false promises of the You Can Have It All era. "Having kids can be really bloody boring you know. If you can get a laugh out of them because they're wearing a silly shirt while they're having a tantrum, it can preserve your sanity." According to Jon Stratton, professor of cultural studies at Curtin University, the intriguing feature of this trend is that parents want to make the fact of their choosing plain. "Putting children into these clothes might be viewed as a protest about how motherhood and childhood can be understood," he says. The range of eco-friendly shirts seen on under-twos such as "Tree Hugger" or "recycle, re-use, re-soil" declare the beliefs of the parent. Is this a form of parental fascism - what choice does little Janey have but to grow up an eager composter? It could also be seen, however, as an admission that the parent, like all parents, is inflicting meanings upon their child. There is, says Stratton, no such thing as neutral, meaningless baby wear. "People always have used their children to say something about themselves," he says. "Whatever you dress a child in, you are saying something about the kind of person you are. Traditional infant clothing styles affirm a preference for traditional identity roles." So assumptions will be made even if you dress a child in a pastel suit featuring time-honoured duckies. Miranda Young, screenwriter and mother of three small boys, was a little ahead of the game when she dressed her baby in a Rolling Stones tongue logo bodysuit. Before hip baby items were widely available, Miranda and husband James sought out or commissioned tiny pieces. Resolute fans of pop culture, they saw no dilemma when it came to using their offspring as a canvas "Dressing my boys in AC/DC T-shirts, for example, is not us cruelly inflicting our taste," she says. She and her husband are passionate believers in the power of pop, and their children's mode of dress just happened playfully and organically. "I'd rather have
[ozmidwifery] Fw:Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative
Found this online whilst surfing and wondered if Australia is looking to implement this kind of idea too (or an adaptation of same). I have only heard of the WHO/UNICEFBaby friendly Hospital Initiative which is very much in use in Australia. Can anyone fill me in? It sounds like a great idea to me and should give ammunition to those midwives working inhospitals striving to make improvements in their care/minimize interventions. Maybe maternity coalition may be able to formulate something similar or maybe they have already! - if so, excuse my ignorance... Helen Cahill http://www.motherfriendly.org/MFCI/steps/ The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative for Mother-Friendly Hospitals, Birth Centers, and Home Birth Services To receive CIMS designation as "mother-friendly," a hospital, birth center, or home birth service must carry out our philosophical principles by fulfilling the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care: A mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service: Offers all birthing mothers: Unrestricted access to the birth companions of her choice, including fathers, partners, children, family members, and friends; Unrestricted access to continuous emotional and physical support from a skilled woman-for example, a doula or labor-support professional: Access to professional midwifery care. (References) Provides accurate descriptive and statistical information to the public about its practices and procedures for birth care, including measures of interventions and outcomes.(References) Provides culturally competent care -- that is, care that is sensitive and responsive to the specific beliefs, values, and customs of the mother's ethnicity and religion.(References) Provides the birthing woman with the freedom to walk, move about, and assume the positions of her choice during labor and birth (unless restriction is specifically required to correct a complication), and discourages the use of the lithotomy (flat on back with legs elevated) position.(References) Has clearly defined policies and procedures for: collaborating and consulting throughout the perinatal period with other maternity services, including communicating with the original caregiver when transfer from one birth site to another is necessary; linking the mother and baby to appropriate community resources, including prenatal and post-discharge follow-up and breastfeeding support.(References) Does not routinely employ practices and procedures that are unsupported by scientific evidence, including but not limited to the following: shaving; enemas; IVs (intravenous drip); withholding nourishment; early rupture of membranes; electronic fetal monitoring; Other interventions are limited as follows: Has an induction rate of 10% or less; Has an episiotomy rate of 20% or less, with a goal of 5% or less; Has a total cesarean rate of 10% or less in community hospitals, and 15% or less in tertiary care (high-risk) hospitals; Has a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) rate of 60% or more with a goal of 75% or more.(References) Educates staff in non-drug methods of pain relief and does not promote the use of analgesic or anesthetic drugs not specifically required to correct a complication. (References) Encourages all mothers and families, including those with sick or premature newborns or infants with congenital problems, to touch, hold, breastfeed, and care for their babies to the extent compatible with their conditions.(References) Discourages non-religious circumcision of the newborn.(References) Strives to achieve the WHO-UNICEF "Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative" to promote successful breastfeeding: Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff; Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy; Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding; Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth; Show mothers how to breast feed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants; Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated; Practice rooming in: allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day; Encourage breastfeeding on demand; Give no artificial teat or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants; Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from hospitals or clinics.(References)
Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw:Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative
Dear Helen This was put in the original ACHSS Draft assessment giudelines about 10 years ago or so for maternity hospitals along with BFHI . Both got dropped in the discussions with stakeholders particuarly the Obs.. Denise Hynd "Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by anyone, our bodies will be handled." Linda Hes - Original Message - From: Helen and Graham To: Ozmidwifery Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 2:36 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fw:Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative Found this online whilst surfing and wondered if Australia is looking to implement this kind of idea too (or an adaptation of same). I have only heard of the WHO/UNICEFBaby friendly Hospital Initiative which is very much in use in Australia. Can anyone fill me in? It sounds like a great idea to me and should give ammunition to those midwives working inhospitals striving to make improvements in their care/minimize interventions. Maybe maternity coalition may be able to formulate something similar or maybe they have already! - if so, excuse my ignorance... Helen Cahill http://www.motherfriendly.org/MFCI/steps/ The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative for Mother-Friendly Hospitals, Birth Centers, and Home Birth Services To receive CIMS designation as "mother-friendly," a hospital, birth center, or home birth service must carry out our philosophical principles by fulfilling the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care: A mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service: Offers all birthing mothers: Unrestricted access to the birth companions of her choice, including fathers, partners, children, family members, and friends; Unrestricted access to continuous emotional and physical support from a skilled woman-for example, a doula or labor-support professional: Access to professional midwifery care. (References) Provides accurate descriptive and statistical information to the public about its practices and procedures for birth care, including measures of interventions and outcomes.(References) Provides culturally competent care -- that is, care that is sensitive and responsive to the specific beliefs, values, and customs of the mother's ethnicity and religion.(References) Provides the birthing woman with the freedom to walk, move about, and assume the positions of her choice during labor and birth (unless restriction is specifically required to correct a complication), and discourages the use of the lithotomy (flat on back with legs elevated) position.(References) Has clearly defined policies and procedures for: collaborating and consulting throughout the perinatal period with other maternity services, including communicating with the original caregiver when transfer from one birth site to another is necessary; linking the mother and baby to appropriate community resources, including prenatal and post-discharge follow-up and breastfeeding support.(References) Does not routinely employ practices and procedures that are unsupported by scientific evidence, including but not limited to the following: shaving; enemas; IVs (intravenous drip); withholding nourishment; early rupture of membranes; electronic fetal monitoring; Other interventions are limited as follows: Has an induction rate of 10% or less; Has an episiotomy rate of 20% or less, with a goal of 5% or less; Has a total cesarean rate of 10% or less in community hospitals, and 15% or less in tertiary care (high-risk) hospitals; Has a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) rate of 60% or more with a goal of 75% or more.(References) Educates staff in non-drug methods of pain relief and does not promote the use of analgesic or anesthetic drugs not specifically required to correct a complication. (References) Encourages all mothers and families, including those with sick or premature newborns or infants with congenital problems, to touch, hold, breastfeed, and care for their babies to the extent compatible with their conditions.(References) Discourages non-religious circumcision of the newborn.(References) Strives to achieve the WHO-UNICEF "Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative" to promote successful breastfeeding: Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff; Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy; Inform all pregnant women about the
