[ozmidwifery] Tom Cruise buys a sonogram
He really has lost the plot! Helen http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/74212004.htm TOM CRUISE has been slammed for buying a sonogram machine for his pregnant fiancee KATIE HOLMES, with health experts warning that he's putting his unborn child at risk. Officials at the American College of Radiology (ACR) are highly concerned by Cruise's revelation that he purchased the device to track his child's progress, and they're warning him that he could be breaking the law if he's carrying out the scans himself. DR CAROL M RUMACK, of the ACR Ultrasound Commission, says, "This is a patient safety issue. Untrained people, even if they have the financial means, should not buy, or be allowed to buy and operate, ultrasound machines which are, in fact, medical devices and should not be used without a medical indication. "Images of the foetus are an opportunity to diagnose problems before birth that may require treatment. These images should be obtained by certified technologists under the supervision of physicians properly trained in ultrasound... "The ACR is concerned that Tom Cruise has been badly advised regarding the use and potential abuse of ultrasound. There are many abnormalities that may be missed by the untrained eye. Also, if it is not medically necessary, the use of ultrasound raises unnecessary physical risk to the foetus."
Re: [ozmidwifery] Litigation/Insurance issue
Hi All, Thanks Andrea and Brenda. Sorry for not replying earlier. Obviuosly there is great concern about the Litigation/Insurance issues that Midwives are currently facing. I do believe that it is an epidemic that has caused a lot of heartache and ill health, preventing people from doing what they love to do. Does anyone know of anyone that has been through the litigation process "been sued", whether the action was right or wrong?. I can tell you that it is years of solicitors, courts, money, time, frustration, constant worries, marriage breakups, and finaical ruin. Believe me it is horrible! I'm sure you have heard all the horrifying and ridiculous litigation stories and payouts in the media. Im sure you get the picture. How I can help is to give you information/the steps on how to simply prevent the litigation process in the first place . I am an Asset Protection Consultant for this reason. What I do is show you how you can simply protect your assetsBEFORE you are sued for something you may, or may not have even done. I can also show you how toprotect your number 1 asset - your family home, and thus allowing you to further your property portfolio. Myaimis to makeyou "bulletproof" so that when a Litigation Attorney looks into what you own, where it is, who owns it, how much you owe...etc... he/she will decide that you and your assetsare just too hard to 'crack' and willadvise thier client to drop the case. I'd love to help anyone interested, who has a concern for protecting their assets. Please email me and I can send you a report including news articles of recent real life "horror stories". I can post it to you or I can email it (It is only 3-4 pages of text, with a few pictures of the news articles. Warm Wishes Regards Rosetta Timpano
Re: [ozmidwifery] shoulder dystocia question
Hello everyone, I have been watching this thread with interest..my understanding about shoulder dystocia is that it only becomes evident once the head has birthed and the shoulders fail to appear - hence its nevertruly 'diagnosed' until no shoulder presents despite the woman's efforts to push her baby out, assistance given by the midwife with downward traction on the head withno further advancesbeing made.surely onlythen can a diagnosis of shoulder dystocia be truly made?? Yes as the midwife you may have that 'feeling' and you're on alert, given those soft signs we all know that may present throughout labour/birthmainly a delay with second stage and difficulties with the birth of the face and chin. However, sometimes you get no warning at all until the actual time of birth where, restitution andthe external rotation of the headmay take place slowly,or interruptedly or not at all(where you get that 'turtle' signas the head burrows back hard against the perineum) However, what I want to raise here is that.in remembering the 'mechanisms' of physiological childbirth, I think its important for us to recognise that 'restitution'and 'external rotationof the head' are two very distinct mechanisms -NOT one and the same thing!! Internal rotation of the head as the baby comes into contact with the pelvic floor musculature causes a twist in the baby's neck.'restitution' is the process whereby the twist in the neck which resulted from internal rotation is now corrected'external rotation of the head' is the separate and distinct process that heralds that the shoulders are rotating into the antero-posterior diameter of the pelvic outlet, hence in the haste to facilitate birth we see many 'man-made' shoulder dystocia's (and/or) perineal trauma..with pulling on the head before external rotation of the head and thus the internal rotation of the shoulders is complete! As for Sue's question as to why exactly do babies die with shoulder dystocia..my understanding was that it has to do with the compression of the chest in the birth canal preventing venous return from the baby's head (you never forget that deep deeppurple of a stuck babies head) which if not corrected quicklyleads to intercranial bleeding/haemorrhage, brain damage and ultimately death. Just my two bobs worth! Tina Pettigrew Midwife From: Jenny Cameron To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 1:16 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] question Remember the placenta is beginning to separate at the point of the head being born so the baby is dying of hypoxia and acidosis. ALSO are probably correct on not waiting for restitution. The signs of shoulder dystocia are evident before the head is crowned and then the 'turtle' sign appears and clinches the diagnosis so it is full steam ahead and get that baby born. You could wait all day for restitution and end up with a dead baby. Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACMPresident NT branch ACMIPO Box 1465Howard Springs NT 083508 8983 19260419 528 717 - Original Message - From: Susan Cudlipp To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 2:32 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] question Good point Anne! I did quite a thorough search last night and have printed off some good articles which I will pass on. However I could not find the answer to why EXACTLY babies die in shoulder dystocia. If it is asphyxia, then (obs point of view) this proves that the cord is not sustaining them.The ob said to me that if the cord WERE sustaining them there would be no urgency to deliver the body, also quoted from the ALSO course that the fetal Ph drops 0.04 (?) per minute after delivery of head therefor we should not be waiting for restitution but delivering body ASAP. (I didn't even go there!!) My feeling is that it is more to do with probable cord compression, (although I cannot picture why this should necessarily be so as the body and hence, presumably, the cord,would still be above the pelvic brim) and trauma to the neck usually caused by mis-management (panic) in trying to deliver the shoulders than asphyxia, but it is true that they become asphyxiated within a short time if truly stuck. Any answers on that one? Thanks Sue "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmund Burke - Original Message - From: Anne Clarke To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 5:54 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] question Dear Susan, You could say to them if this is so why do they rely so much on cord ph's ? One would thinkwhen the baby was
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Litigation/Insurance issue
And your commision would be ?? May as well spell it out for everyone Rosetta, many people would read your post but not ask questions as they know someonw else will ask they'll get the answer eventually ! Thanks. Rosetta Timpano - Asset Protection Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi All, Thanks Andrea and Brenda. Sorry for not replying earlier. Obviuosly there is great concern about the Litigation/Insurance issues that Midwives are currently facing. I do believe that it is an epidemic that has caused a lot of heartache and ill health, preventing people from doing what they love to do. Does anyone know of anyone that has been through the litigation process been sued, whether the action was right or wrong?. I can tell you that it is years of solicitors, courts, money, time, frustration, constant worries, marriage breakups, and finaical ruin. Believe me it is horrible! I'm sure you have heard all the horrifying and ridiculous litigation stories and payouts in the media. Im sure you get the picture. How I can help is to give you information/the steps on how to simply prevent the litigation process in the first place . I am an Asset Protection Consultant for this reason. What I do is show you how you can simply protect your assets BEFORE you are sued for something you may, or may not have even done. I can also show you how to protect your number 1 asset - your family home, and thus allowing you to further your property portfolio. My aim is to make you bulletproof so that when a Litigation Attorney looks into what you own, where it is, who owns it, how much you owe...etc... he/she will decide that you and your assets are just too hard to 'crack' and will advise thier client to drop the case. I'd love to help anyone interested, who has a concern for protecting their assets. Please email me and I can send you a report including news articles of recent real life horror stories. I can post it to you or I can email it (It is only 3-4 pages of text, with a few pictures of the news articles. Warm Wishes Regards Rosetta Timpano -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] Birth Rites Exhibition
The following information has been sent to us by the Arts Council of England. Any budding artists our there who are interested should contact them directly. --- BIRTH RITES [] An art exhibition which explores the politics and practice of birth. Birth Rites will commission five residencies between established artists and health professionals, midwives and obstetricians. The work will form part of an international touring exhibition, where art can inspire and propel a frank and open discussion about the most crucial and universal of subjects: our entrance into this world. A special research program will produce information to form an integral part of the exhibition. While the residencies are taking place the research program will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding childbirth by involving childbirth groups, men and womens voices and opinions and key figures within the health service. The exhibition will seek to unite artists both male and female, midwives and medical professionals, to explore the social, cultural and political implications of our rôles in giving birth. Research and Development We are currently in the thick of our research and development phase. As head of the research and public relations program, I will be in touch with individuals with all kinds of personal and professional links to childbirth, with men, women and groups. I will be conducting and recording a series of interviews with these people. I will be keeping them abreast of the progress we are making, seeking out their ideas and opinions for my research purposes as well as encouraging them to enter into a debate. Key themes of the exhibition are: autonomy in childbirth, our relationship to childbirth in the West; what its importance is socially and philosophically, what its problems can be medically and politically, and how the process relates to womens status in our society. Information Central to my research will be preparing the information for the exhibition. Information will be presented creatively, it will be empowering and inspiring, it will work in conjunction with the art. Its presence will enable us to ensure that the issues are looked at from every angle so that the arguments are balanced. If you would like to be involved then please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you, Phoebe Mortimer Phoebe Mortimer BIRTH RITES Ada House 77 Thompson Street Manchester M4 5FY [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Andrea Robertson Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.birthinternational.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Tom Cruise buys a sonogram
Well, at least he's forced the medics to admit that u/sis harmful to the fetus. Gloria - Original Message - From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 1:14 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Tom Cruise buys a sonogram He really has lost the plot! Helen http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/74212004.htm TOM CRUISE has been slammed for buying a sonogram machine for his pregnant fiancee KATIE HOLMES, with health experts warning that he's putting his unborn child at risk. Officials at the American College of Radiology (ACR) are highly concerned by Cruise's revelation that he purchased the device to track his child's progress, and they're warning him that he could be breaking the law if he's carrying out the scans himself. DR CAROL M RUMACK, of the ACR Ultrasound Commission, says, "This is a patient safety issue. Untrained people, even if they have the financial means, should not buy, or be allowed to buy and operate, ultrasound machines which are, in fact, medical devices and should not be used without a medical indication. "Images of the foetus are an opportunity to diagnose problems before birth that may require treatment. These images should be obtained by certified technologists under the supervision of physicians properly trained in ultrasound... "The ACR is concerned that Tom Cruise has been badly advised regarding the use and potential abuse of ultrasound. There are many abnormalities that may be missed by the untrained eye. Also, if it is not medically necessary, the use of ultrasound raises unnecessary physical risk to the foetus."
Re: [ozmidwifery] Birth Rites Exhibition
Dear Phoebe, I am an artist and an experienced older midwife. I would be very interested in what you are speaking about possibly be involved. With kind regards Brenda Manning www.themidwife.com.au - Original Message - From: Andrea Robertson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 9:02 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Birth Rites Exhibition The following information has been sent to us by the Arts Council of England. Any budding artists our there who are interested should contact them directly. --- BIRTH RITES [] An art exhibition which explores the politics and practice of birth. 'Birth Rites' will commission five residencies between established artists and health professionals, midwives and obstetricians. The work will form part of an international touring exhibition, where art can inspire and propel a frank and open discussion about the most crucial and universal of subjects: our entrance into this world. A special research program will produce information to form an integral part of the exhibition. While the residencies are taking place the research program will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding childbirth by involving childbirth groups, men and women's voices and opinions and key figures within the health service. The exhibition will seek to unite artists both male and female, midwives and medical professionals, to explore the social, cultural and political implications of our rôles in giving birth. Research and Development We are currently in the thick of our research and development phase. As head of the research and public relations program, I will be in touch with individuals with all kinds of personal and professional links to childbirth, with men, women and groups. I will be conducting and recording a series of interviews with these people. I will be keeping them abreast of the progress we are making, seeking out their ideas and opinions for my research purposes as well as encouraging them to enter into a debate. Key themes of the exhibition are: autonomy in childbirth, our relationship to childbirth in the West; what its importance is socially and philosophically, what its problems can be medically and politically, and how the process relates to women's status in our society. Information Central to my research will be preparing the information for the exhibition. Information will be presented creatively, it will be empowering and inspiring, it will work in conjunction with the art. Its presence will enable us to ensure that the issues are looked at from every angle so that the arguments are balanced. If you would like to be involved then please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you, Phoebe Mortimer Phoebe Mortimer BIRTH RITES Ada House 77 Thompson Street Manchester M4 5FY [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Andrea Robertson Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.birthinternational.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.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Birth Rites Exhibition
Sorry, cross post ! With kind regards Brenda Manning www.themidwife.com.au - Original Message - From: brendamanning [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 2:56 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Birth Rites Exhibition Dear Phoebe, I am an artist and an experienced older midwife. I would be very interested in what you are speaking about possibly be involved. With kind regards Brenda Manning www.themidwife.com.au - Original Message - From: Andrea Robertson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 9:02 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Birth Rites Exhibition The following information has been sent to us by the Arts Council of England. Any budding artists our there who are interested should contact them directly. --- BIRTH RITES [] An art exhibition which explores the politics and practice of birth. 'Birth Rites' will commission five residencies between established artists and health professionals, midwives and obstetricians. The work will form part of an international touring exhibition, where art can inspire and propel a frank and open discussion about the most crucial and universal of subjects: our entrance into this world. A special research program will produce information to form an integral part of the exhibition. While the residencies are taking place the research program will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding childbirth by involving childbirth groups, men and women's voices and opinions and key figures within the health service. The exhibition will seek to unite artists both male and female, midwives and medical professionals, to explore the social, cultural and political implications of our rôles in giving birth. Research and Development We are currently in the thick of our research and development phase. As head of the research and public relations program, I will be in touch with individuals with all kinds of personal and professional links to childbirth, with men, women and groups. I will be conducting and recording a series of interviews with these people. I will be keeping them abreast of the progress we are making, seeking out their ideas and opinions for my research purposes as well as encouraging them to enter into a debate. Key themes of the exhibition are: autonomy in childbirth, our relationship to childbirth in the West; what its importance is socially and philosophically, what its problems can be medically and politically, and how the process relates to women's status in our society. Information Central to my research will be preparing the information for the exhibition. Information will be presented creatively, it will be empowering and inspiring, it will work in conjunction with the art. Its presence will enable us to ensure that the issues are looked at from every angle so that the arguments are balanced. If you would like to be involved then please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you, Phoebe Mortimer Phoebe Mortimer BIRTH RITES Ada House 77 Thompson Street Manchester M4 5FY [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Andrea Robertson Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.birthinternational.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. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Litigation/Insurance issue
Rosetta, to be perfectly honest with you, I would be very interested in hearing more about your offer, if it didnt sound like it was coming from a Danoz Direct marketing formula. As an independant midwife, I dont need to hear further stories about the issues we face litigation-wise - we midwives know the score are doing it tough, taking the risk to practice the way we feel we can offer the most, knowing well what the risks are. Many midwives, whether in private practice or 'in the system', see all the time the 'horror stories' you want us to know about. Most of us know somebody who has been the subject of these kind of litigation situations, again not all in the 'private' sector. Its not us that needs to 'get the picture'! Most independant midwives know how to protect thier family home assets - they put them into their partners name. There are very few of us that I know of that cant do that (for lack of partner eg, as in my case). As a sole parent whose gross income last year was under $20,000 (a *lot* under), I dont need to know that help is out there for me, *if I can afford it*. As far as Im concerned the kind of protection midwives want need should not be a matter of some being able to afford it (you, you, not you) - it should be available to *all* midwives irrespective of income or workplace. I understand that you may have a genuine desire to help out midwives - if so, can I ask that you join us to lobby the Federal Government to provide midwives not only with equitable adequate insurance for practice, but also provider numbers to put us on the same footing as many other health care professionals. Please email Robyn Thompson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for info on how you can help us. Otherwise, thanx (I think) for your offer - but some *real* information would have been more helpful, instead of something that sounds like it came from a Nigerian widow/bank official/Dutch Sweepstakes/viagra supplier. Jennifairy Rosetta Timpano - Asset Protection Consultant wrote: Hi All, Thanks Andrea and Brenda. Sorry for not replying earlier. Obviuosly there is great concern about the Litigation/Insurance issues that Midwives are currently facing. I do believe that it is an epidemic that has caused a lot of heartache and ill health, preventing people from doing what they love to do. Does anyone know of anyone that has been through the litigation process been sued, whether the action was right or wrong?. I can tell you that it is years of solicitors, courts, money, time, frustration, constant worries, marriage breakups, and finaical ruin. Believe me it is horrible! I'm sure you have heard all the horrifying and ridiculous litigation stories and payouts in the media. Im sure you get the picture. How I can help is to give you information/the steps on how to simply prevent the litigation process in the first place . I am an Asset Protection Consultant for this reason. What I do is show you how you can simply protect your assets BEFORE you are sued for something you may, or may not have even done. I can also show you how to protect your number 1 asset - your family home, and thus allowing you to further your property portfolio. My aim is to make you bulletproof so that when a Litigation Attorney looks into what you own, where it is, who owns it, how much you owe...etc... he/she will decide that you and your assets are just too hard to 'crack' and will advise thier client to drop the case. I'd love to help anyone interested, who has a concern for protecting their assets. Please email me and I can send you a report including news articles of recent real life horror stories. I can post it to you or I can email it (It is only 3-4 pages of text, with a few pictures of the news articles. Warm Wishes Regards Rosetta Timpano No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.9/185 - Release Date: 28/11/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Litigation/Insurance issue
Hear hear Jennifairy! I've been keeping quiet and wondering if this is a genuine poster, or if it's someone looking for contacts, money, etc. I'm also eager to hear any constructive input into this situation, but the reality is that those of us who practice privately are armed to the gills with horror stories, and also with information about how to protect ourselves. It is unfortunately our sisters in the system who are currently under attack, and who although thinking they are covered vicariously, are finding out the hard way that nothing that is water tight... Fire away Rosetta, we're all ears! Tania x -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jennifairy Sent: Thursday, 1 December 2005 5:04 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Litigation/Insurance issue Rosetta, to be perfectly honest with you, I would be very interested in hearing more about your offer, if it didnt sound like it was coming from a Danoz Direct marketing formula. As an independant midwife, I dont need to hear further stories about the issues we face litigation-wise - we midwives know the score are doing it tough, taking the risk to practice the way we feel we can offer the most, knowing well what the risks are. Many midwives, whether in private practice or 'in the system', see all the time the 'horror stories' you want us to know about. Most of us know somebody who has been the subject of these kind of litigation situations, again not all in the 'private' sector. Its not us that needs to 'get the picture'! Most independant midwives know how to protect thier family home assets - they put them into their partners name. There are very few of us that I know of that cant do that (for lack of partner eg, as in my case). As a sole parent whose gross income last year was under $20,000 (a *lot* under), I dont need to know that help is out there for me, *if I can afford it*. As far as Im concerned the kind of protection midwives want need should not be a matter of some being able to afford it (you, you, not you) - it should be available to *all* midwives irrespective of income or workplace. I understand that you may have a genuine desire to help out midwives - if so, can I ask that you join us to lobby the Federal Government to provide midwives not only with equitable adequate insurance for practice, but also provider numbers to put us on the same footing as many other health care professionals. Please email Robyn Thompson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for info on how you can help us. Otherwise, thanx (I think) for your offer - but some *real* information would have been more helpful, instead of something that sounds like it came from a Nigerian widow/bank official/Dutch Sweepstakes/viagra supplier. Jennifairy Rosetta Timpano - Asset Protection Consultant wrote: Hi All, Thanks Andrea and Brenda. Sorry for not replying earlier. Obviuosly there is great concern about the Litigation/Insurance issues that Midwives are currently facing. I do believe that it is an epidemic that has caused a lot of heartache and ill health, preventing people from doing what they love to do. Does anyone know of anyone that has been through the litigation process been sued, whether the action was right or wrong?. I can tell you that it is years of solicitors, courts, money, time, frustration, constant worries, marriage breakups, and finaical ruin. Believe me it is horrible! I'm sure you have heard all the horrifying and ridiculous litigation stories and payouts in the media. Im sure you get the picture. How I can help is to give you information/the steps on how to simply prevent the litigation process in the first place . I am an Asset Protection Consultant for this reason. What I do is show you how you can simply protect your assets BEFORE you are sued for something you may, or may not have even done. I can also show you how to protect your number 1 asset - your family home, and thus allowing you to further your property portfolio. My aim is to make you bulletproof so that when a Litigation Attorney looks into what you own, where it is, who owns it, how much you owe...etc... he/she will decide that you and your assets are just too hard to 'crack' and will advise thier client to drop the case. I'd love to help anyone interested, who has a concern for protecting their assets. Please email me and I can send you a report including news articles of recent real life horror stories. I can post it to you or I can email it (It is only 3-4 pages of text, with a few pictures of the news articles. Warm Wishes Regards Rosetta Timpano No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.9/185 - Release Date: 28/11/2005 -- This mailing list is
Re: [ozmidwifery] Newborn Examination question
Something happened to that last email of mine... but I wanted to say thanks to those who responded to my question. Interesting variation in responses with some workplaces requiring further accreditation for midwives to perform the newborn exam, some recommending the GP do it and some with the midwives doing it routinely themselves. For those of you who do the examination yourselves, could you please tell me if you perform fundoscopyi.e using an ophthalmoscope? And for those who require accreditation, could you tell me how this is obtained and what it consists of? Midwives do the newborn examination at my current workplace but we don't currently perform fundoscopy.Thanks again for your responses. Helen - Original Message - From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 3:24 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Newborn Examination question T - Original Message - From: Judy Chapman To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 9:08 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Newborn Examination question We do the newborn examination after birth but then recommend that they go for the 5 - 10 day well baby check with their GP. This is just since we have been working as a birth centre. Cheers JudyHelen and Graham [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi everyone I have a question regarding midwives performing the newborn examination postnatally prior to discharge. Having worked in several hospitals, I am used to this exam being performed by a doctor/paediatrician. The midwife does an initial check atbirthbut on about day 3 o! r 4, or at least prior to discharge, a thorough physical examination performed, including fundoscopy etc.by a doctor. Interested in your experiences and for those of you who do perform it, have you had any further education on the subject? Cheers Helen Cahill Do you Yahoo!?Find a local business fast with Yahoo! Local Search__ NOD32 1.1309 (20051130) Information __This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com
[ozmidwifery] Interesting article sure to cause some ethical debate
http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/s1520191.htm Screening for cystic fibrosis carriers by Peter LavellePublished 01/12/2005 Every year 70 babies are born in Australia with cystic fibrosis. The child suffers serious lung and digestive problems - they don't manufacture a vital protein, which causes secretions to become very sticky and their lungs and pancreas to literally 'gum up'. The lungs become susceptible to infection and digestion doesn't work propery. Treatment is much more effective than it was 20years ago. Most children with cystic fibrosis now can expect to survive into adulthood. But the average life expectancy is still only in the mid thirties. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition, but a child has to have an abnormal gene from both parents to get it. When both parents are 'carriers' of the abnormal gene, there is a one in four chance of this happening. About one person in 25 in Australia is a carrier. About one in 2,500 kids will be born with the condition. At the moment, carriers aren't identified by testing. Instead, newborn babies are routinely screened for the condition (that's how most new cases are diagnosed). Only then do most parents become aware they are carriers. Parents are then routinely offered prenatal testing of a foetus in any subsequent pregnancy and they have the option of then terminating that pregnancy. But it's too late to do anything about the first child. There is a test to identify carriers of a cystic fibrosis gene. It's fairly reliable (with an 85 per cent accuracy rate), and it involves a painless cheek swab. But it's generally not offered to Australian couples unless there's a family history of the condition. The trouble is, most carriers don't know they are carriers, and have no history of the condition. The faulty gene has been hidden away in their ancestry, not expressed. A group of doctors from the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, writing in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia, say testing for carriers should be more widely available. The doctors propose that the genetic test be offered as a prenatal test early in pregnancy. The couple would both be tested, and if they were both carriers, the foetus would be tested (via chorionic villus sampling, in which a portion of the placenta is sampled). If the foetus had both mutations (a one in four chance), the parents could then be given the option of terminating the pregnancy. Ideally, the researchers say, carrier screening should be offered to partners before they conceive. Couples could be tested for carrier status, and if both partners were carriers, they could consider whether they want to conceive in the first place. If they did, they would have the option of conceiving and terminating the pregnancy if the foetus had both mutations. Or they could opt for in-vitro fertilisation - with the embryo conceived and tested in the lab, and only implanted in the woman's uterus if it was found not to have both mutations. There is a successful carrier screening program for cystic fibrosis that's been operating along these lines in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has halved the incidence of cystic fibrosis in that community, the researchers say. At the very least, they argue, it should be offered as part of routine prenatal testing, like screening for Down's syndrome. The doctors say it should be funded by Medicare, on the grounds of cost-effectiveness (saving the resources otherwise spent treating a child with the condition) and prevention of future suffering for kids and their families.
