RE: [ozmidwifery] For Sue
Ahh...Ok. I must have, I got the two Sue's mixed up. You just never know in cyber world, you could be talking to your next door neighbor and never know! Thanks, Amy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Saturday, 30 December 2006 8:44 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] For Sue Hi Amy, Not sure which Sue you are asking, but I don't know swans or swan valley centre... Maybe another Sue, Sue Cookson Hi Sue, Now I have to ask.are you the Sue at swans who I know from a few shifts we did together at the swan valley centre and recently on restorative? It is a very small world indeed and that would make me smile if it were so, after the whinge I had about my most recent birth experience to you a couple of weeks ago (if my guess is right). Amy __ NOD32 1.1454 (20060321) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.nod32.com -- 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.
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Ok sorry, do not wish to expose anyone...just enthusiastic. A -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mary Murphy Sent: Sunday, 31 December 2006 8:21 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] For Sue Amy, the Sue you are thinking of is also on this list. You will recognize her from her comments. You have spoken to her before. She may not want to be outed. Happy New Year MM Ahh...Ok. I must have, I got the two Sue's mixed up. You just never know in cyber world, you could be talking to your next door neighbor and never know! -- 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.
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We have a new record... http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1819736.htm I hope for her sake she has plenty of energy -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] For Sue
Hi Sue, Now I have to ask.are you the Sue at swans who I know from a few shifts we did together at the swan valley centre and recently on restorative? It is a very small world indeed and that would make me smile if it were so, after the whinge I had about my most recent birth experience to you a couple of weeks ago (if my guess is right). Amy
RE: [ozmidwifery] waterbirth
Hi Lynne, Does Selangor take midwifery students? It seems a great place to learn the skills. Amy _ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lynne Staff Sent: Thursday, 21 December 2006 8:05 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] waterbirth Hi Mary At Selangor we - midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians - have 'officially' supported women for waterbirth since Feb 1998. Our rate is 35% of vaginal births and over 1600 babies have been waterborn since we opened. We will continue to do so as it has benefits for women, their babies and is safe. Regards, Lynne - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 12:50 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] waterbirth Hi everyone, I know this question has been asked before, but I can't remember the answer. Do we have any maternity units, birth centres etc who officially do waterbirth? I know homebirthers do, but I want to know about institutions. Thanks, MM
RE: [ozmidwifery] waterbirth
Sue, Can I ask, do you work at Swans? I saw in the local paper that they have upgraded the facilities and have installed and new bath. It would be a bit mean (not to mention misleading) to market it and then tell women they can't use it. Amy _ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Susan Cudlipp Sent: Thursday, 21 December 2006 9:55 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] waterbirth Mary, you may also be interested to know that our brand new bath (where I work) is yet to be used because we -apparently - have to have a policy in place before women are allowed to use it for labour! Even though no other hospital seems to have seen this as a necessary requirement. Births in this pristine piece of porcelain are verbotten, but we will utilise the KEMH policy for 'unplanned' waterbirths. However we are still wondering when the powers that be will actually risk letting our labouring women get into the bath. It's been sitting there unused for some months now!! Merry Christmas to you too, and to all on the list Sue - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:33 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] waterbirth Thank you all for your swift replies. I am supporting midwife who, as a midwife in homebirth, did lots of water births and was recently present at a water birth in a hospital where SHE supported the midwife who supported a woman's wishes for a water birth. As we have only 'accidental' water birth policies in WA hospitals, these midwives are being 'hauled over the coals' for not making the woman get out of the water to birth. Lots of intimidation going on. This will all help. Thanks and Merry Christmas, Mary M _ Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date: 9/12/2006 3:41 PM
RE: [ozmidwifery] Drug-induced labour raises complication risk
Hmm.interesting. Am I right in thinking the induction/augmented rate is much higher than 10-20% here in Australia? Anyone know any stats off hand? Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kelly @ BellyBelly Sent: Monday, 23 October 2006 6:00 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] Drug-induced labour raises complication risk From http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1click_id=117art_id=qw1161328141968B243 Drug-induced labour raises complication risk October 20 2006 at 10:56AM Women who are given drugs to induce labour are nearly twice as likely to suffer an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare but potentially fatal complication of pregnancy, according to a study published on Friday. Researchers for the Maternal Health Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System studied more than three million deliveries of babies in Canada over a 12-year period. In 185 cases, women experienced the rare complication in which the amniotic fluid that surrounds a baby in the womb enters the bloodstream and causes a blockage, they wrote in the Lancet medical journal. In 24 of those cases, the mothers died. The women had been given drugs to induce labour in just 17 percent of the deliveries. But those accounted for 52 of the amniotic fluid embolisms - 28 percent - and 10 of the fatal cases, or 42 percent. We should emphasise that the absolute risk of increase of amniotic fluid embolism for women undergoing medical induction of labour is very small: four or five total cases and one or two fatal cases per 100,000 women induced, the authors wrote. However, with 4 million births per year and induction rates approaching 20 percent in the USA, this practice could be causing amniotic fluid embolism in 30-40 women per year in the USA alone, including 10-15 deaths, they wrote. Although the small absolute risk of amniotic fluid embolism is unlikely to affect the decision to induce labour in the presence of compelling clinical indications, women and physicians should be aware of the risk if the decision is elective. Best Regards, Kelly Zantey Creator,BellyBelly.com.au Conception, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby BellyBelly Birth Support
RE: [ozmidwifery] doubles
Not me Mary From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mary Murphy Sent: Saturday, 14 October 2006 4:16 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] doubles I am receiving 2 of everyones emails. Is this happening to others or just me? MM
[ozmidwifery] Goodbyes
I too appreciate the variety of input from all contributors. Things get a bit heated but thats life at the coalface. Our biggest challenge is not each other but an attitude that says women cant be in charge of their own bodies and make their own decisions. Lets not lose sight of that goal and get personal. We all do our bit, the bit that we can do. And always, it will vary according to our strengths and weaknesses. It would be a real shame to lose either of you. As a non midwife, I really appreciate the expertise and the perspectives that midwives working in various settings bring to the discussions. We need to know what we are up againstso be honest about the challenges you face, because they become ours pretty quickly. In gratitude for your dedication, amy
RE: [ozmidwifery] Nestle - take note of the last line -
This is a bit odd. I could only read 3 paragraphs in both your emails until I clicked reply to respond when the whole article appearedbelow. Anywayarent they shameless with their aggressive marketing of a second rate product. Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Julie Clarke Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 8:39 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] Nestle - take note of the last line - Nestle increases first-half profits Source: VEVEY AP Date: 2006-Aug-24 07:01 AM Nestle SA, the world's biggest food and drink company, has reported an 11 per cent rise in first-half net profit thanks to cost cutting and internal growth despite higher raw material prices. The company, which has brands such as Nescafe, Perrier and Dreyer's, said net profit increased to 4.15 billion Swiss francs ($A4.44 billion) from 3.73 billion francs in 2005, exceeding analyst expectations of about 4.09 billion francs. Nestle, which does not report quarterly earnings figures, said slow demand in Europe was widely offset by a strong performance in emerging markets and the United States. During the first half of 2006 the group delivered excellent levels of growth and profit margin, said Chairman and Chief Executive Peter Brabeck-Letmathe. This was made possible by the strong performance of our food, beverage and nutrition business which generated 6 per cent organic growth. Organic growth is one of the company's main performance yardsticks. This measure, which includes price increases but not the effects of acquisitions, rose to 6.4 per cent, compared with 5.6 per cent in 2005. Analysts had expected 6.3 per cent. Nestle shares closed up 2.3 per cent at 417.75 francs on the Zurich stock exchange. It's the first time in the past few quarters Nestle has clearly surpassed consensus estimates in terms of organic growth and operating margin, Zuercher Kantonalbank analyst Patrik Schwendimann said. The company reiterated that it aims to improve the operating profit margin for the full year at constant currencies. It slightly upgraded its organic growth estimate for the full year, saying it now expects that figure to be on the higher end of its long-standing 5 per cent to 6 per cent target range. Sales grew 11 per cent to 47.14 billion francs from 42.47 billion francs, the company said. Analysts had expected 47.05 billion francs. Earnings before interest and taxes rose 14.5 per cent to 6.05 billion francs from 5.29 billion francs. The company is considering another share buyback after the current 3 billion franc program, which is almost finished, Chief Financial Officer Paul Polman said in a conference call. If nothing extraordinary happens, there is no reason why we couldn't continue with buybacks, he said. Polman said that Nestle was not looking at major acquisitions at the moment. He said the company will pay more than 1 billion francs later this year for several small-sized acquisitions that were arranged in the last six months. Included is the purchase of the US-based weight-management company Jenny Craig for around $US600 million. Polman said it will take time to get baby milk sales in China back to the previous level after the collapse that followed Nestle's recall last year because the product exceeded government limits on iodine content.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Fw: info required
If you were my midwife, I would be so grateful that I had someone who would truly advocate on my behalf and protect me from the attitude that I was hospital property during my stay there. Hospital staff and doctors sometimes get their priorities mixed up dont they? As a consumer, I say thanks and good on you for standing up for her. Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joy Cocks Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 8:51 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw: info required Pheewww..Peiter Mourik used to come to our hospital and give inservices when he held clinics there. I would back up Wendy's comments. He's very clever with words and is god's gift to women - always saving them! He believes that midwives canonly beindependant when they can do forceps/ventouse births! Sorry, negative comments after a bad evening when I stood up for a labouring woman who did not wish to have a VE when the GP ob wanted to do one as how else would he know whether she was progressing or not. He's writing an incident report about me for not supporting him.He asked how I planned to manage the labour and I told him that the woman was managing the labour and I would be worried if shebecame worried.The woman proceeded to birth without problem. Just feeling upset and hurt as he is my GP and we usually work well together, but probably most other women are not as strong in standing up for themselves. Joy Joy Cocks RN (Div 1) RM IBCLC BRIGHT Vic 3741 email:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: cath nolan To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:28 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fw: info required - Original Message - From: cath nolan To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:37 PM Subject: info required I will be meeting with Peter Miourik(obstetrician) amongst others in an informal dinner setting on Friday night as the hospital that I work at is having a review of obstetric services . I believe this is a man who is quite against midwifery led services and I'm a bit puzzled as to why I have been asked to be one of the 2 midwifery reps at this dinner. But very pleased at the same time, and more than happy to be a part of this. Can anyone fill me in on what they know of this man? Cath.
[ozmidwifery] VBAC in Perth
Hello everyone I am enquiring on behalf of a friend who is 33 wks pregnant with No 3. Previous 2 pregnancies ended in C-sec. She is seeking out any VBAC friendly doctors in Perth who can provide accurate information without all the emotive BS. She is still feeling very traumatized by first two births and it would be so wonderful for her to have a healing experience of birth this time aroundThis is her email to my sister Would you know where would be the best place to look if I am looking for medical journals to do my own research on C-sections etc etc? Tadzik said the Library at Sir Charles Gairdner. I do not want to ask doctors because they only repeat what they hear from each other. I want some truthful information - as accurate and up-to date as possible. Would Amy know anyone I can speak to? Even interstate? This Woman has been told that she has to have another C-sec or she faces a high chance of requiring a hysterectomy following vaginal birth. A statement which we all know is more emotive and threatening than factual She has also asked if I know of any midwives or doulas who might be able to provide information/support. Any ideasdirections please?? We are in Perth, Thanks, Amy
RE: [ozmidwifery] VBAC in Perth
Thank you Nicole and Janet, I appreciate your quick responses and I am sure she will too! I am so pleased to be offering her some useful resources. . Janet, those two word documents are an amazing source of info for womenthanks for sharing that with us all. Amy
RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] ctg stuff
It would be good if we could change the ordinary persons thinking from intervention is necessary to save lives and prevent bad outcomes- and that the trade- offs are minimal to the truth about how dangerous and ineffective they can be and how choosing one often means setting yourself up for the whole gamut of intervention. I think women who choose such interventions for non medical reasons in part do so because when they are done for medical reasons we are told that they are safe and in fact necessary to ensure a good outcome. There is an attitude that because it is so frighteningly common it must be safethe path most traveledmust be safe! We all know that it is not actually the case, women and their babies fare so much better, emotionally and physically when empowered to birth under their own steam. It is not about judging women but changing the climate so to speakchanging the common assumption that hospital birthing with its vast array of aids and interventions is the be all and end all of safe birthing, this is obviously a harder task. In the mean timewomen will still want to birth in a multitude of ways... It just seems strange that it is easier to persuade the docs to intervene than to not interfere. Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Emily Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 8:49 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] ctg stuff hi all i have just finished the 'obstetrics' term of my course and over the 9 weeks i repetitively brought up my disgust with the use of CTGs against all the very high quality evidence that is out there against them, that noone refutes they just ignore. the wonderful obstetrician who was my supervisor (only one ive ever met that i like) agreed and said it is only collective inertia and fear that has led to everyone still using it. the fact that it has sneakily become the best practice standard. in the big cochrane review on the subject the only benefit seen was a reduction in neonatal seizures seen in the CTG group. this was used as evidence that it may reduce the incidence of cerebral palsy in this group also. actually, there was follow up studies done on all the studies included in the review some years later and it actually showed no difference in cerebral palsy rates in most studies. one study amazingly actually showed a higher rate of cerebral palsy in the CTG group !! this has been conveniently forgotten. CTGs are still sold to women as being a safety net to prevent cerebral palsy despite the fact that there is absolutely no evidence whatesoever of this being the case all that remains to be the benefit of CTGs is for care providers. it makes many people feel safe to have a neat little print off documenting what has been happening. the other thing is that apparently in the court system, parents can only be 'compensated' if a no fault verdict is made and that requires a CTG. anyway i wrote a huge article about this titled 'the irony of obstetric risk analysis' and handed it in with my end of term work. i am waiting with bated breath to hear the feedback and whether i will fail for being so blatently anti-obstetrics to my obstetric supervisors!!! but i figured theres less harm saying it all now, on my way out :) the reason im writing this is that the (good) obstetrician wants me to put together my views on social inductions and social elective caesars and how we should respond to women who sometimes demand these things and whether it is ethical to refuse. im really struggling with it because if we all always say inform and then follow the mothers wishes, what right do we have to refuse this? it is often for what i see as ridiculous reasons (ie the woman recently who demanded an induction so she wouldnt birth on 6/6/06 and threatened to kill herself if we didnt) but who am i to judge women's choices like others judge non-interventionalist choices? id love to know everyones thoughts on this one love emily Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.
RE: [ozmidwifery] How long before synto is used?
This is really pertinent thread for us mothers on the list...it seems an issue about which there are no clear guidelines which makes it really hard for women who are attempting to be in charge of their own labors. They don't even know what sort of time frame they will have in which to relax into labor without pressure and threat of synto. I recently gave birth in our major hospital, by ARM (2nd birth, Hx of fast labor, 2cms dilated, 36 weeks but with cholestasis and very worried about that). I was extremely keen to avoid synto/EFM and all the other nasty possibilities. I asked over and over for some clear indication of how long they would give me to progress into labor with out synto but was not given one. Within an hour of ARM I was being asked very regularly if I had contractions, with frowns and talk about synto every time I said not much happening. I wonder how it might have panned out had I not been hassled every step of the way...It only served to increase my anxiety 20 fold. We managed to hold them off for 6 hours before it went up and the flogging of the body began. It is just a revolting drug that should be avoided unless strictly necessary. The labor was nothing short of torturous and degrading (I am sure you have all seen it in action). I also wonder if it was the unrelenting intensity of the contractions that forced my bub into a posterior, deflexed position within an hour of established labor. Being hooked up to EFM doesn't help with keeping mobile either. I am not a midwife-Could there be any truth in that idea? Anyway...I thought I had negotiated to switch it off once labor had begun but lo and behold...a change of shift and the next midwife refused. I ended up switching it off myself-to her utter bewilderment. This was an act of desperation which left me quite compromised with her because our relationship became quite frosty and unpleasant after this. I felt like I lost her support when I took the reigns and bucked against hospital protocol. It was like I had offended her...that she felt compromised by me asserting myself. If I ever needed to follow the same course of action I would have the ARM and then get myself home ASAP for labor to start itself. I feel as though getting my baby out and the room prepped for the next customer was as much of a priority as my wishes to keep my labor and birth low key...I don't know, am I an eternal cynic? Bub calls, I have to go... Amy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of diane Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:54 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] How long before synto is used? We sometimes have some confusion over whether the women should have oral AB's cover if they are on home management of SROM. The policy doesnt call for it, but some doctor's recommend this. When in established labour and membranes are broken for more than 18hrs, then IV AB's are used. I guess that confirms that you are at more risk in Hospital!! What do other units do? Cheers, Diane - Original Message - From: brendamanning [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:51 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] How long before synto is used? The UK's NICE guidelines inherited from the UK's Royal College of Obs and Gynea suggest that it is fine to leave pre-labour rupture of membranes up to 96 hours before induction of labour - This is the policy at Rosebud. If doing ARM for IOL then waiting 4 hours is common reducing the synto once the labour is established is recognised as 'best practice. The recent research which associates IOL with syntocinon an increase in PPHs is acknowledged there. With kind regards Brenda Manning www.themidwife.com.au - Original Message - From: Debbie Slater To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 12:04 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] How long before synto is used? The UK's NICE guidelines inherited from the UK's Royal College of Obs and Gynea suggest that it is fine to leave pre-labour rupture of membranes up to 96 hours before induction of labour - see http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=17381 Debbie Slater Perth, WA From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kelly @ BellyBelly Sent: Wednesday, 14 June 2006 8:48 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] How long before synto is used? For those who work in maternity units, I am just wondering what the policy is in your unit in regards to how long a woman can continue after her waters have broken before having synto put up? There seems to be such pressure to put it up fairly quickly (after you ask to at least wait at all!), with an average of about 1 hour before the woman gets the pressure to speed things up. Best Regards, Kelly Zantey Creator, BellyBelly.com.au Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood BellyBelly Birth Support -
RE: [ozmidwifery] Birthing Music
Title: RE: [ozmidwifery] Birthing Music I listened to Sinead O'Connor's album of old Irish songs (album is called Sean nos Nua) during my sons birth-over and over. It really resonated with me because she sings about mother earth, women, babies and the power in those things.I loved it and it buoyed me when I needed it. Personally speaking- I think it is especially useful to listen to music that a woman is familiar with as it already has meaning for her, and if she has listened to it her babe may be comforted by the familiar tunes/sounds. Amy
[ozmidwifery] on the subject of induction
Title: Message Just seeking some advice from midwives out there-I know I will most likely forget to ask all of these when I go to the antenatal clinic or have my next midwife visit I am 35+something weeks and have started to show signs of cholestasis over the past few weeks. Blood results are fluctuating a bit they go high and the next one is about normal and then high again. I am preparing for the eventuality of an induced hospital birth (though still hoping to go into labor at home in the 36th week) Some part of me wants to be induced now so I dont have to deal with the stress of that stillbirth stat. anyway Can someone tell me? 1) Is it the syntocin in the IV that poses the greatest threat to me/we in terms of uterine hyper stimulation and fetal distress or can the prostaglandin gel and ARM cause that too? 2) Is the failed induction-requiring C/s rate really around 50%? Is there anything that I can do to minimize that risk if I am induced? Like staying up, walking around, asking to be left alone, requesting minimal monitoring that sort of stuff. And will they let me do that at a large teaching hosp? (I have the dream of asking to be left alone and sneaking off to the bathroom and giving birth in the water quietly without any interference--dont like my chances!) How much negotiating power do women really have in this circumstance? My view is that ultimately its my body, my baby, and my birth but I dont want to make it hard for us all by being hard line at a time when I need to go inside and give birth (I can see that back-firing on me). Its just hard to work out what the important stuff is-it all seems so important! Amy -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.1.1/273 - Release Date: 3/2/2006
RE: [ozmidwifery] prison birthing
Thank you everyone for your replies-it seems there is quite a difference from prison to prison and probably state to state too. From what I read the US has mandatory shackles (even during labor and following epidural) regardless of prisoner status or crime. Some states even have mandatory fostering out of babies following birth. I know it is a bit tougher thereIm relieved to hear some of the stories posted about Australian women. Lisa, I am from Perth too, could you keep me posted about your progress with Bandyup prison. I am very interested in what happens there with you guys. Are you getting some guidance about how to get it up and running from the UK birth companions? Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Anne Clarke Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 1:34 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] prison birthing Dear Amy, I looked after a woman that wasa prisoner postnatally and she was dropped off in labour by prison officers (obviously low risk,) as they did not stay butvisited her everyday, however, the mother signed herself out to goback to prison as she gave birth in the middle of January and in the old RWH hospital postnatal ward did not have air conditioning and she had to share a ward with 3 other women. She said that she had her own room, it was air conditioned and they had better food! The prison had facilities that women could keep their babies with them. Regards Anne Clarke Queensland - Original Message - From: adamnamy To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 12:21 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] prison birthing Do any of you midwives out there know how birth happens for pregnant women in Australian prisons? Are they transferred to hospital or are they required to stay in the prison health service. I have been reading an Amnesty report of the abuses of pregnant and laboring women in the US (it is available through Sheila Kitzingers website for anyone who is interested). I am keen to know what similarities exist for Australian women. I thought fetal monitoring and a drip was bad enough-try giving birth being chained to a bed-not knowing how long you can cuddle your baby for before she is removed! That breaks my heart. Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Emily Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 8:10 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] yoga video hi everyone funny photo attached that shows what happens if your baby doesnt get enough food ! i found this while looking for photos for an infant nutrition seminar im doing for uni next week. does anyone still have that short movie of the yoga mum where the baby crawls up and has a feed while shes upside down?? id love to include that :) if anyone has it they can send it direct to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] thanks emily Brings words and photos together (easily) with PhotoMail - it's free and works with Yahoo! Mail. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.2/252 - Release Date: 2/6/2006 __ NOD32 1.1398 (20060207) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.2/253 - Release Date: 2/7/2006 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.3/254 - Release Date: 2/8/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.3/254 - Release Date: 2/8/2006
RE: [ozmidwifery] Post cs support
Title: Message On the subject of traumatized womenmy two cents When I was 22 and pregnant for the first time, I had an innate fear, more like terror really of going to hospital for the birth. I dont know what drove me to so actively avoid a hospital birth but I just knew that it would be an experience that triggered feelings of being assaulted and overpowered. It was my during my booking visit when the male doctor lifted my dress and casually remarked Im just going to feel your breasts now that I realized how disempowered all women are in this process-one which belongs to them ironically enough! I saw the midwife cringing in the corner, feeling acutely aware of his insensitivities but speechless and feeling powerless to act in my defense. He (the doctor) just seemed to have no idea that you actually need to get permission from a person before you cross into their private spaces, and that something of a respectful rapport is useful (he had spent the previous 10 minutes chastising me for my fear of needles and sternly telling me that I had no choice about having blood tests for this and that reason. But back to the carefree hands bitI sat bolt upright and said no your not I decided then and there that I didnt not want any interference because it was inherently disempowering and the doctors attitude patronizing. I knew I needed encouragement, nurturing, information and most of all, for the experience to transform me I needed a healing birth experience. Any woman who has experienced sexual trauma (and lets face itthats a lot of us!) will always need gentle handling. The tiny snippet of hospital based care I saw was definitely not that! Now when I listen to mainstream birthing women talk about birth, I hear the language of submission. My ob decided such and such or they told me I had to.. or they made me birth on my back. It is always something being done to her; she rarely describes herself as the active participant. It actually makes me feel sick to hear it. By and large women just arent making their own choices and most of the time I suspect they are not supported by partners, doctors or even midwives when they do. When are we all going to realize that the choices made on our behalf, about our bodies and our babies are sometimes made by someone with conflicting interests, a different agenda and really bad, archaic research to back it up? My experience of hospitals (and I work in one as a nurse, not midwifeyet) is that often we nurses still dont have the confidence to challenge the old medical dinosaur. Women need good information and solid back-up from their midwives (I know that I am preaching to the converted here). And midwives need to do that boldly, shamelessly and confidently, or we give women the idea that it is naughty to have a different view, or to challenge the status quo. Had the midwife I spoke of earlier had the guts to say pull the doctor up on his insensitivity at the time (do they hesitate to tell us when they think we have erred?) I may have had more confidence in the system. But as it turned out my choice was a good one and the older I get the more convinced I become that the machine we call maternity care is not care at all. We might as well call them baby factory units because the reality is; they are more like factories than places where women are cared for holistically. The changes that we are seeking here have boundaries that stretch far beyond the walls of any maternity unit. We women still face sexism in a multitude of ways that we either try to ignore or pretend dont exist. However this has to be one of the crucial battlefields for women in the recovery of their autonomy and freedom. It will take a long timebut I am prepared to see it through. And in the mean time I recommend independent midwives and homebirth to any one inspired by my beautiful, healing homebirth. Some times I hesitate to tell my story because it must appear blissfully utopian in contrast to some womens experiences. But maybe those traumatized women want to hear that such a birth is possible, so I tell it as plainly and gently as I can-always hopeful that they might have the confidence in themselves, their bodies and their babies to birth without interference next time. Amy From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Janet Fraser Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 8:30 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Post cs support Jo, you're speaking from my heart as well. I was at a meeting last year of women working to support others in birth trauma. All of us had been suicidal at one point, myself included, none of us had had any support from careproviders. I'm always happy to share my journey but it rarely scores a comment on ozmid. What this means I cannot judge but it makes me fear for other women in my position if we can't talk about it with careproviders. It's not about blame, it's about responsibility for our actions as
