RE: consumer representation

[Johnston]

Midwives used to put Silver Nitrate drops in the eyes of newborns in Vic 30 
years ago, but I haven't seen any routine treatment of this kind in the 
past 20 years.
Routine blood screening includes testing for syphilis.
Joy Johnston
-Original Message-
From:   [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent:   Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:33 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject:    Re: consumer representation

That was exactly my reaction Louise but my experience in Australia is 
limited
so I refrained. Even in many places in America the list is old. Eye meds
(usually antibiotic cream) are still the law  even though  text books state 
that antibiotic eye ointment of the type routinely used would NOT be the
treatment for gonorrhea or chlamydia infection in a newborn. So, my 
question
here is what research/evidence stopped the routine use of eye meds in
Australia? I know I changed the topic.

I'm not sure what your terminology for a heplock is but I think I heard
someone refer to it as an IV cannula with a bung in it...

marilyn
--
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: consumer representation

[Jayne]

As far as I know the eye meds have never been routine in Australia.  Someone
confirm or deny??!


 So, my question
> here is what research/evidence stopped the routine use of eye meds in
> Australia? I know I changed the topic.
>


--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Re: consumer representation

[Kleimar]

I think this list is a good place to start in looking at what has been 
improved in any country in the last 20 years or so, what has stayed the same 
and what has gotten worse. 

marilyn
--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Re: consumer representation

[Kleimar]

That was exactly my reaction Louise but my experience in Australia is limited 
so I refrained. Even in many places in America the list is old. Eye meds 
(usually antibiotic cream) are still the law  even though  text books state 
that antibiotic eye ointment of the type routinely used would NOT be the 
treatment for gonorrhea or chlamydia infection in a newborn. So, my question 
here is what research/evidence stopped the routine use of eye meds in 
Australia? I know I changed the topic.

I'm not sure what your terminology for a heplock is but I think I heard 
someone refer to it as an IV cannula with a bung in it...

marilyn
--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Re: consumer representation

[STEPHEN FLINT]

Dear All
Robin Payne's request and I take it Nikki's response reminds me of the
Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative which can be seen on the web address
below,
http://www.motherfriendly.org/

Denise
- Original Message -
From: "Nikki Macfarlane" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: consumer representation


> I wrote the following for another list I am on for doulas. This is my
"Gold
> Standard":
>
> What I would like to see, and aim for having established, in all
> institutions and practices that support pregnant and
> labouring women and new parents. The following is my gold standard.
Perhaps
> yours is different. perhaps we should each have our own if we have any
hope
> of effecting change.
>
> The Gold Standard for All Birthing Women:
>
> Antenatally:
>
> No routine testing for fetal abnormality:
> full explanations given of the false positive & negative rates, the
benefits
> and risks, the decisions that need to be considered when there is a
positive
> outcome to a test.
>
> No routine ultrasound scanning except by maternal request
>
> Full information provided on self help and dietary considerations for
women
> diagnosed with GBS, gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia, anaemia and high
> blood pressure
>
> Quality antenatal education available for all
>
> Exercises taught to all women for encouraging a breech or posterior baby
to
> turn
>
> ECV & moxibustion suggested and practiced wherever possible for breech
> babies
>
> All doctors taught the techniques & skills necessary for vaginal births of
> breech babies
>
> Consent forms for caesarean and epidural made available antenatally for
> women to read, ask questions about and understand
>
> Hospital policies and routines published and made available antenatally
>
> Labour & Birth
>
> The following not to occur unless there is a medical indication, which is
> explained ot the mother with the benefits, risks, alternatives and
possible
> outcomes if nothing is done provided for her:
>
> IV's & heplocks
> episiotomy
> electronic fetal monitoring
> suctioning
> eye drops
> induction
> pain relief
> lying on the bed
> stirrups
> time limits
> AROM
> Vaginal examinations
> restrictions on eating and drinking
> stitching for first degree tears
> cord traction fo rnatural third stage
> drapes
> enemas
>
> The following made available in every birthing environment:
>
> massage oil
> mattress on the floor
> dimmed lighting
> adjustable temperature
> water in the form of bath or shower
> low lighting
> heat packs
> variety of seating (rocking chair, bean bag, birth ball etc)
> perineal compresses
> music
>
> All babies to be with mother immeidately after delivery, unless there is a
> medical need for baby to be separated
>
> Baby to be weighed and measured in labour room and returned straight to
> mother
>
> No baby to be washed or cleaned except by maternal request
>
> All mothers to be able to be upright and mobile if they wish to be,
> encouraged by the staff to do this
>
> Privacy available for all women, with all staff and attendants knocking
> before entering her room
>
> No pain relief to be offered by anyone in attendance, but available for
any
> woman who would like it
>
> No limit on number of attendants that mother wishes to have around her
>
> Vaginal examinations only by maternal request unless there is a
complication
> during labour
>
> Postnatally
>
> All mothers to be supported and encouraged to offer breastfeeding to baby
> within one hour of delivery
>
> No routine jaundice testing
>
> No baby's in nursery unless requested by mother
>
> No pacifiers or water to be offered
>
> No artificial milk to be offered to breastfed babies unless there is a
> medical indication
>
> Full information on the risks and benefits of vaccination
>
> Full information on the risks and benefits of circumcision
>
> A room set aside in the special care baby unit for intensive care babies
for
> the parents to stay while their baby is in special care
>
> Breastpump to be available to all women with babies in special care
>
> All postnatal staff to be fully trained in breastfeeding techniques and
> possible problems
>
> All postnatal staff to be fully trained in recognising postnatal
depression
>
> Support groups available, and contacts given to all women, of groups to
> support mothers with any problems or just to have support of other women
> postnatally
>
> That is what I am working towards. How do I do it? Empowerment of my
> clients.

Re: consumer representation

[Nikki Macfarlane]

I wrote the following for another list I am on for doulas. This is my "Gold
Standard":

What I would like to see, and aim for having established, in all
institutions and practices that support pregnant and
labouring women and new parents. The following is my gold standard. Perhaps
yours is different. perhaps we should each have our own if we have any hope
of effecting change.

The Gold Standard for All Birthing Women:

Antenatally:

No routine testing for fetal abnormality:
full explanations given of the false positive & negative rates, the benefits
and risks, the decisions that need to be considered when there is a positive
outcome to a test.

No routine ultrasound scanning except by maternal request

Full information provided on self help and dietary considerations for women
diagnosed with GBS, gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia, anaemia and high
blood pressure

Quality antenatal education available for all

Exercises taught to all women for encouraging a breech or posterior baby to
turn

ECV & moxibustion suggested and practiced wherever possible for breech
babies

All doctors taught the techniques & skills necessary for vaginal births of
breech babies

Consent forms for caesarean and epidural made available antenatally for
women to read, ask questions about and understand

Hospital policies and routines published and made available antenatally

Labour & Birth

The following not to occur unless there is a medical indication, which is
explained ot the mother with the benefits, risks, alternatives and possible
outcomes if nothing is done provided for her:

IV's & heplocks
episiotomy
electronic fetal monitoring
suctioning
eye drops
induction
pain relief
lying on the bed
stirrups
time limits
AROM
Vaginal examinations
restrictions on eating and drinking
stitching for first degree tears
cord traction fo rnatural third stage
drapes
enemas

The following made available in every birthing environment:

massage oil
mattress on the floor
dimmed lighting
adjustable temperature
water in the form of bath or shower
low lighting
heat packs
variety of seating (rocking chair, bean bag, birth ball etc)
perineal compresses
music

All babies to be with mother immeidately after delivery, unless there is a
medical need for baby to be separated

Baby to be weighed and measured in labour room and returned straight to
mother

No baby to be washed or cleaned except by maternal request

All mothers to be able to be upright and mobile if they wish to be,
encouraged by the staff to do this

Privacy available for all women, with all staff and attendants knocking
before entering her room

No pain relief to be offered by anyone in attendance, but available for any
woman who would like it

No limit on number of attendants that mother wishes to have around her

Vaginal examinations only by maternal request unless there is a complication
during labour

Postnatally

All mothers to be supported and encouraged to offer breastfeeding to baby
within one hour of delivery

No routine jaundice testing

No baby's in nursery unless requested by mother

No pacifiers or water to be offered

No artificial milk to be offered to breastfed babies unless there is a
medical indication

Full information on the risks and benefits of vaccination

Full information on the risks and benefits of circumcision

A room set aside in the special care baby unit for intensive care babies for
the parents to stay while their baby is in special care

Breastpump to be available to all women with babies in special care

All postnatal staff to be fully trained in breastfeeding techniques and
possible problems

All postnatal staff to be fully trained in recognising postnatal depression

Support groups available, and contacts given to all women, of groups to
support mothers with any problems or just to have support of other women
postnatally

That is what I am working towards. How do I do it? Empowerment of my
clients. Education of the doctors I work with. Speaking up if I see
something that I know is not supported by evidence and research. Don't sit
back and expect things to change. They won't unless we make it happen. Don't
blame doctors for being thoughtless, insensitive and not offering choice. If
we, and our clients, don't ask for it to be any different it never will be.
People do not change because everyone else is muttering to themselves about
how awful they are. They change because of pressure. Because they start to
hear of another way.

Nikki Macfarlane
- Original Message -
From: "Johnston" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "ozmidwifery list (E-mail)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: "Robin Payne (E-mail)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002 5:07 PM
Subject: FW: consumer representation


> This message is from Robin Payne, who is a consumer activist
> extraordinaire, and runs the Choices for Childbirth work in Melbourne.
>
> Dear friends
>
>

FW: consumer representation

[Johnston]

This message is from Robin Payne, who is a consumer activist 
extraordinaire, and runs the Choices for Childbirth work in Melbourne.

Dear friends

I have become the consumer rep. on the Royal Australian & New Zealand 
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist's (RANZCOG) curriculum 
development committee. Next Thursday (18th April)  I will participate in a 
full day workshop on the curriculum with 15 other committee members (all 
members of RANZCOG). I am keen to represent as broad a view as possible 
although feel there are some fundamental commonalities that all women would 
expect from the obstetrician as her carer. I would value any feedback and 
comments from anyone who wishes to comment as I have been asked to make a 
10 minute presentation at the study day on "A Consumer View of What the 
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Needs to be Like in 2020". As this is coming 
up fairly soon your comments would be appreciated asap. Even if you just 
jot down key points, I can then incorporate them into what I'm saying. I 
will also be providing feedback via the Maternity Coalition journal Birth 
Matters on my presentation for the day.
Please feel free to contact via email or on (03) 9380 2863 if you would 
like more info.
thanks, Robin Payne
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.286 / Virus Database: 152 - Release Date: 9/10/01


--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.