This is in the Sydney Morning Herald today. There is certainly some great
coverage on this issue - Kathleen Fahy is doing a tremendous job.
I also understand that the ABC's 7.30 report was seeking Denis Walsh for a
comment - they tracked him down through our office on Friday. Maybe a
report coming up on TV next week?
--------------------
Midwives present own safety data
By Ruth Pollard Health Reporter
September 3, 2005
Tensions between midwives and private obstetricians have boiled over as the
groups battle over safety, statistics and what is best for women and their
babies.
Fed up with the campaign being run by some obstetricians, who this week
were criticised for exaggerating mortality risks at midwife birthing units,
the midwives released their own interpretation of the safety figures and
called for a reasoned debate on the issue.
Speaking at a conference yesterday, the dean of midwifery at the University
of Newcastle, Kathleen Fahy, said birthing units such as those at Ryde and
Belmont hospitals were safe and produced good outcomes for both mothers and
babies.
An international study of 11,814 births at 84 birth centres found no
maternal deaths and a 0.7 per 1000 rate of infant mortality if babies born
with congenital malformations were excluded, Professor Fahy told the
conference.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about eight babies per
1000 pregnancies die in medical care. At birthing centres the figure is 6.6
per 1000.
A second review of more than 8600 women in Britain, Canada, Sweden and
Australia, produced by the respected Cochrane review, found perinatal
mortality was not significantly higher at midwife centres, Professor Fahy said.
But in his own interpretation of the figures, the Australian Medical
Association's Andrew Pesce, an obstetrician, said the review had found the
infant mortality risk was 83 per cent higher at midwife centres.
The association's opposition to the midwife-led centres has intensified in
recent weeks, in response to moves by the State Government to open more of
the centres around the state.
The Health Minister, John Hatzistergos, defended the units at Ryde and
Belmont, saying there had been no adverse outcomes for mothers or babies
since Ryde opened in March 2003. Belmont only opened in July.
-----
Andrea Robertson
Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web: www.birthinternational.com
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