Thankyou Kirsten
The information was very helpful and insightful. It certainly gives a different perspective on it.
:-) Katrina
On 23/03/2005, at 8:00 AM, Kirsten Lerstrom wrote:
Dear Katrina
Yes, you're right - not many websites translated into English concerning
the Scandinavian Midwifery.
The Scandinavians do have a long tradition of midwifery, however, I'm not
too enthusiatic about the present code of conduct. Spoiled? - I don't think
so. I do not know much about the other Scandinavian countries (Norway,
Sweden and Finland, where the Nordic countries as a whole consists of the
Scandinavian + Faroe Islands and Iceland + Greenland which in this matter
still is a part of Denmark).
I do believe, the Danish Midwives for the most part have conformed to the
obstetric model, but the few we have that are really working for women are
angels - and we still have some quite remarkable ones as such!
My husband did a quick search on google on midwifery services originating
from Denmark and below are his results, that are in English.
Besides that, I can tell you, that our Danish Midwifery Association just
celebrated it's 100 year anniversary in 2002 and has 2070 members (April
2004).
Our General Guidelines for Pregnancy, Birth and Maternity holds a huge role
for midwifery care and respect for the women's choices. In practice, though,
our situation sounds pretty much like yours - lacking informed choice,
bullying from obs to push "correct" care (screening for no use and lots of
frustation, inventions and almost none midwifery based maternity care, but
nurse maternity care up til 24 months through frequent visits) and a growing
rate of post birth problems and depressions. We consult a midwife during
pregnancy, but the chance you see the same again on later visits or during
birth or after is slim. you have a better chance of consulting your GP or Ob
more than twice.
Most of our midwives are trained to perform acupuncture during pregnancy and
birth for the most frequent disorders.
If we're lucky and persistent enough or know how to find our good midwife,
we do waterbirths.
Where available (only in a few districts and if you know about it, though we
have a legal right) homebirths are an luxory, even though it's stated in the
law that it's our right. The right is, however, handicapped by poor
information to all pregnants, and also to the fact that most midwives will
acknowledge our right despite their nonexistant or poorly based experience
in helping mothers birth outside hospital setting. Transfer rate of
homebirths (national rate less than one per cent) is around one third if you
ask the women and much less (due to other causes) if you check the
statistics.
But we're struggling to waive our right to have a care according to womens
needs and wishes. During this Spring we'll stage a conference about the
issues above for the mother to be, parents in spe, birthing professionals
and legislative and executing bodies. This conference will be held in
connection to the Midwifery Today Conference in Copenhagen - as always a
Midwifery Conference is worth while attending - Copenhagen is at it's best
in May (remember our royal wedding last year - our crown prince maarying May
of Tasmania) and great speakers to fill your heart with new and enthralling
wisdom and knowledge.
Danish Midwifery School Copenhagen has just one page in English with nonfunctioning links http://jord.cvuoeresund.dk/index.php?newlang=eng
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/conferences/denmark2005/
Circulars and guidelines in English http://www.dadj.dk/index.dsp?page=515.
DADJ = Danish Midwives Association
Including:
The Scope of Practises
Duties
Circular on the Obligation of Midwives to Keep Organised Records(keeping
records).
1. Introduction
2. Fields of midwifery
2.1. Examination - consultancy, etc.
2.2. Midwifery at uncomplicated deliveries
2.3. Complicated deliveries, conditions of illness, etc.
2.4. Necessary midwifery assistance
2.5. Home births
2.6. Baptism in case of emergency
3. The midwife's use of medicaments, etc.
3.1. Independent use of medicaments
3.2. Prescription or authority given by the doctor
3.3. Blood samples
4. Care and Conscientiousness
5. Information and consent
6. Professional secrecy
7. Obligation to record keeping
8. Obligation to report
8.1. Birth notification
8.1.2. Notifications to the health authorities
8.1.2.1. Notification of births in hospitals
8.1.2.2. Notification of births outside the hospital
8.1.3. Notification to the civil authorities
8.1.3.1. Birth notification in Denmark outside North Schleswig and on the
Faeroe Islands
8.1.3.2. Birth in North Schleswig
8.2. Forms for birth notification
8.3. Notification of cleft lip/palate
A personal experience of midwifery in Denmark
http://www.intermid.co.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/article.cgi?uid=7952 (Have
to be a member.)
Kim Godsman
British Journal of Midwifery, Vol. 9, Iss. 7, 05 Jul 2001, pp 434 - 437
Having secured a scholarship to explore midwifery in Denmark, the author
visited Copenhagen in February 1999. She undertook a study period to explore
midwifery care at a midwifery led unit in Hvidovre Hospital. Care provision
was effective, in particular with regard to the promotion of breast-feeding.
The breast-feeding initiation rate was over 99%, with only three women
during 1999 under the care of the birth clinic choosing to artificially feed
their babies. The author was able to compare the cultural attitudes to
breasts and infant feeding. The Danish midwives worked hard to maintain
normality of the birth process. The abandonment of institutional routines,
effective team work and the holistic involvement of the father throughout
the childbirth experience had all contributed to the units' success.
Best of luck to your assignment Kirsten in Denmark
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ceri & Katrina
Sent: 22. marts 2005 12:34
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Subject: [ozmidwifery] European Midwifery
Hi everyone
thankyou to everyone that replied before, but I have another request. I have just about finished planning the tour, but am struggling with info on Danish or Swedish or somewhere in that area (!) midwifery services and midwives. Any ideas on where I can get this info in English, when I do a web search, I get some info, but the websites are in that country's language. I tried a website translator but it did not work well with the websites. So if anyone can impart location detail etc or anything that you think may help I would be greatful!!!
thanks
Katrina
:-)
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