Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Dear Diane, after the ICM congress I went to Byron Bay which is not far from Lismore . To my dissapointment I discovered that Byron Bay Hospital have two lovely birth rooms but no-one uses it. Of course politics and lack of Obs given as the reason. But no reason really if you wish to birth women there, low risk etc and there was a Midwife who was really keen to see the place used again her name escapes me for the minute but I'm sure if you rang the place and ask for a midwife there can't be too many in there at the moment. good luck and enjoy Marijke - Original Message - From: Sue Cookson To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 4:28 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Diane,I'm doing a student clinical placement at Lismore at present in the Birthing Suite.I live about an hour away and drive there and back each day - beats flying to Adelaide for weeks at a time.Lismore is a typically underfunded teaching institution, doing it's best under the circumstances. There are about 1300 births per annum, with 4.5 birth rooms and 2 midwives on per shift.So there is no true facility for woman centred care, and being a teaching hospital, it's not low intervention either. There is no specific place to separate low and high risk women or the care they receive ... the midwives do their best...Mullumbimby is not a birth centre - it is not midwife run, but it does only take 'low risk' women. There is somewhere between 25-33% transfers out of Mullum to other institutions. There are 4 male GP's who provide care at Mullum, and women can only book in if under a GP care. There are only about 120 births per year, with midwives working between the birth rooms (3 of them) and the hospital.We can only hope that there may be future case load serices at Lismore, but as I said, it's a tertiary teaching hospital and there are always lots of young doctors willing/needing to attend births...Hope this helps. Feel free to email me off line if you want to ask more.Sue Hi Listers, Just a question about birthing services in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Hoping to buy a property in the hills behind Lismore in the next year or so, when my son finshes his HSC. Looking like I will still have to work about three shifts a week for financial security and also some self employment stuff like lactation services(I am IBCLC)and calmbirth, which i plan to train in next year. I am aware that Mullumbimby has a great birth centre, but we may be living a good 60 mins away from there. I also hope to move into homebirthing in the future. Is anyone familiar with birthing services at Lismore? Is it woman centred, low intervention, midwife friendly care? I am currently a team midwife on the central coast and am hoping to continue working with low risk women. Any info would be appreciated as my family and I are so looking forward to this downshift, we are currently so stressed with full time work and travelling long distances in opposite directions to work while our lonely kids wait at home!! Thanks Di__ NOD32 1.1233 (20050926) Information __This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.nod32.com Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.24/101 - Release Date: 13/09/2005
RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Hi Janet, I hesitated to read your birth story, but then felt like a wimp, and read it. I am pleased that I did, although am very sorry that you had that experience. I have shared the link with my colleagues at North Central Sub Branch of the Australian College of midwives. I hope that is ok, assumed it was at it is on the web. Maybe in some small way this may help a woman in the future to not receive such appalling treatment. Thankyou, Nicole. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Janet Fraser Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 3:28 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Nicole, I wrote an enormous letter including my birth story to the hospital where my birthrape was perpetrated. It made no difference. I still have women from that hospital joining the birth trauma group I run on a regular basis. I don't understand why we consumers have to point out the violence in the system to those who work in it. If a woman says no and is disregarded, she will be traumatised. If a woman is separated from her baby and mocked by staff, she will be traumatised. If a woman screams Get out! in the middle of a VE because she has never experienced anything more excruciating in her life, it is clear to the meanest intelligence that there is a problem. To me this is like asking me to explain to my rapist that rape is bad. We know rape is bad, we shouldn't need to be told not to do it. The woman in those examples was me. You can read the story and complaint letter here http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14 J -- 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: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
That's great, Nicole. I'm always happy to talk about it : ) I was an academic teaching in a university prior to my birthrape and it ended my career so I still yearn to educate ; ) J - Original Message - From: Nicole Carver [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 5:16 PM Subject: RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Janet, I hesitated to read your birth story, but then felt like a wimp, and read it. I am pleased that I did, although am very sorry that you had that experience. I have shared the link with my colleagues at North Central Sub Branch of the Australian College of midwives. I hope that is ok, assumed it was at it is on the web. Maybe in some small way this may help a woman in the future to not receive such appalling treatment. Thankyou, Nicole. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Janet Fraser Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 3:28 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Nicole, I wrote an enormous letter including my birth story to the hospital where my birthrape was perpetrated. It made no difference. I still have women from that hospital joining the birth trauma group I run on a regular basis. I don't understand why we consumers have to point out the violence in the system to those who work in it. If a woman says no and is disregarded, she will be traumatised. If a woman is separated from her baby and mocked by staff, she will be traumatised. If a woman screams Get out! in the middle of a VE because she has never experienced anything more excruciating in her life, it is clear to the meanest intelligence that there is a problem. To me this is like asking me to explain to my rapist that rape is bad. We know rape is bad, we shouldn't need to be told not to do it. The woman in those examples was me. You can read the story and complaint letter here http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14 J -- 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] Northern Rivers
Hi Di, How about setting up an independent practice? I get calls almost everyday from women asking for referrals to IPMs, the Sydney midwives are all booked up 7 months in advance and there are just not enough midwives to meet the demand. Cheers Jo From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of diane Sent: Thursday, 29 September 2005 2:54 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Oh my Goodness!!! Im not sure I could work in the system up there!! Just emailed the Clinical Midwifery Consultant of the Northern Rivers, only to get a response saying there is no one in that position since Dec 04 I did hear Liz speak at the ICM about how midwives coped with the change when birthing was removed from Byron. Surely if ever there would be a group of motivated consumers it would be inByron, is MC active there??? Would be the perfect place for caseload midwifery. Maybe another plan.. what about Port Macquarie, wasn't there a birth centre opened there once upon a time??? Di. - Original Message - From: Stephen James To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 11:07 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Di, I'm an unofficial ozmidder (reading the archives so as not to clog up the inbox). I live in South Golden Beach Northern rivers and am a midwife with a permanent contract at Mullum hospital. Currently on maternity leave after having given birth to my gorgeous boy Solomon, at home with 2 of the midwives I work with at Mullum. Lismore is your typical large obstetric run hospital, with some dinosaur midwives, some who have a fear of birthing and a handful who 'fly under the radar'. Tweed is the same or perhaps a little worse. Murwillumbah is in between Mullum and Tweed so I hear. Ive not worked at Lismore or M'bah but have transferred with women from Mullum there. Tweed I have experienced and had to stop for the sake of my blood pressure! shockers! Mullum offers waterbirth and there is a definite feeling of teamb/w medical and nursing/midwifery staff. They really are a great bunch. Management are not as supportive as they could be but better than other places Ive worked. There is a lot of nursing however, but when you get a birth its the next best thing to home birth. Myself and another midwife from mullum are doing a few homebirths and I imagine this will grow as our children grow. You could also speak to Liz McCall at Byron hospital cns and president of the far north coast midwives assoc. We get together every few months but are sadly notr as proactive as we could be. I would love to rant and rave some more but have a very wriggly 7 month old on my lap so will just quickly say give me a call and we can chat further. Byron loves midwives and you'd be very welcome Jessica Simms 02 6680 4346
Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Hi Jo, would love to set up a practice, but it's the whole downshifting thing, it' s scary for my partner and I to leave our $50K a year jobs to go out into the great unknown without some steady guaranteed income. Im ok with poverty, but he will take some convincing, he is a bit of a "princess" , loves the comforts of life. Me, I would just love to do what I love and spend more time with those I love! Mind you he is a country boy and I think he would settle into growing the veges quite well, just need to get him to leave the roundup behind!! Di - Original Message - From: jo To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:08 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Di, How about setting up an independent practice? I get calls almost everyday from women asking for referrals to IPMs, the Sydney midwives are all booked up 7 months in advance and there are just not enough midwives to meet the demand. Cheers Jo From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of dianeSent: Thursday, 29 September 2005 2:54 PMTo: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.auSubject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Oh my Goodness!!! Im not sure I could work in the system up there!! Just emailed the Clinical Midwifery Consultant of the Northern Rivers, only to get a response saying there is no one in that position since Dec 04 I did hear Liz speak at the ICM about how midwives coped with the change when birthing was removed from Byron. Surely if ever there would be a group of motivated consumers it would be inByron, is MC active there??? Would be the perfect place for caseload midwifery. Maybe another plan.. what about Port Macquarie, wasn't there a birth centre opened there once upon a time??? Di. - Original Message - From: Stephen James To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 11:07 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Di, I'm an unofficial ozmidder (reading the archives so as not to clog up the inbox). I live in South Golden Beach Northern rivers and am a midwife with a permanent contract at Mullum hospital. Currently on maternity leave after having given birth to my gorgeous boy Solomon, at home with 2 of the midwives I work with at Mullum. Lismore is your typical large obstetric run hospital, with some dinosaur midwives, some who have a fear of birthing and a handful who 'fly under the radar'. Tweed is the same or perhaps a little worse. Murwillumbah is in between Mullum and Tweed so I hear. Ive not worked at Lismore or M'bah but have transferred with women from Mullum there. Tweed I have experienced and had to stop for the sake of my blood pressure! shockers! Mullum offers waterbirth and there is a definite feeling of teamb/w medical and nursing/midwifery staff. They really are a great bunch. Management are not as supportive as they could be but better than other places Ive worked. There is a lot of nursing however, but when you get a birth its the next best thing to home birth. Myself and another midwife from mullum are doing a few homebirths and I imagine this will grow as our children grow. You could also speak to Liz McCall at Byron hospital cns and president of the far north coast midwives assoc. We get together every few months but are sadly notr as proactive as we could be. I would love to rant and rave some more but have a very wriggly 7 month old on my lap so will just quickly say give me a call and we can chat further. Byron loves midwives and you'd be very welcome Jessica Simms 02 6680 4346
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
I did hear Liz speak at the ICM about how midwives coped with the change when birthing was removed from Byron. Surely if ever there would be a group of motivated consumers it would be in Byron, is MC active there??? Would be the perfect place for caseload midwifery. Wow, when did birthing get removed from Byron? Why? One great thing that is up north Di is the Natural Birth Education Research Institute in Lismore http://www.naturalbirth.org.au/index.html I believe too, that there are a couple of homebirth midwives up there. Love Abby -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Janet, After reading your story I feel so many things... To send you some more love across a couple of oceans is all I can think of right now... Vedrana -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Janet Fraser Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:28 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Nicole, I wrote an enormous letter including my birth story to the hospital where my birthrape was perpetrated. It made no difference. I still have women from that hospital joining the birth trauma group I run on a regular basis. I don't understand why we consumers have to point out the violence in the system to those who work in it. If a woman says no and is disregarded, she will be traumatised. If a woman is separated from her baby and mocked by staff, she will be traumatised. If a woman screams Get out! in the middle of a VE because she has never experienced anything more excruciating in her life, it is clear to the meanest intelligence that there is a problem. To me this is like asking me to explain to my rapist that rape is bad. We know rape is bad, we shouldn't need to be told not to do it. The woman in those examples was me. You can read the story and complaint letter here http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14 J -- 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: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Not Sure when Abby, but births are now at Mullum and a few postnatal beds only at Byron. Di (Ive really blown my status as a lurker on the list this week!) - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 8:17 PM Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers I did hear Liz speak at the ICM about how midwives coped with the change when birthing was removed from Byron. Surely if ever there would be a group of motivated consumers it would be in Byron, is MC active there??? Would be the perfect place for caseload midwifery. Wow, when did birthing get removed from Byron? Why? One great thing that is up north Di is the Natural Birth Education Research Institute in Lismore http://www.naturalbirth.org.au/index.html I believe too, that there are a couple of homebirth midwives up there. Love Abby -- 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: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Thanks, Vedrana : ) It's a really good story to demonstrate that outcomes are not created solely through having support and being informed. You are really totally dependant on the hospital staff to treat you like a human. J - Original Message - From: Vedrana Valčić [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 8:24 PM Subject: RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Janet, After reading your story I feel so many things... To send you some more love across a couple of oceans is all I can think of right now... Vedrana -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Janet Fraser Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:28 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Nicole, I wrote an enormous letter including my birth story to the hospital where my birthrape was perpetrated. It made no difference. I still have women from that hospital joining the birth trauma group I run on a regular basis. I don't understand why we consumers have to point out the violence in the system to those who work in it. If a woman says no and is disregarded, she will be traumatised. If a woman is separated from her baby and mocked by staff, she will be traumatised. If a woman screams Get out! in the middle of a VE because she has never experienced anything more excruciating in her life, it is clear to the meanest intelligence that there is a problem. To me this is like asking me to explain to my rapist that rape is bad. We know rape is bad, we shouldn't need to be told not to do it. The woman in those examples was me. You can read the story and complaint letter here http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14 J -- 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] Northern Rivers
Hi Diane, I'm doing a student clinical placement at Lismore at present in the Birthing Suite. I live about an hour away and drive there and back each day - beats flying to Adelaide for weeks at a time. Lismore is a typically underfunded teaching institution, doing it's best under the circumstances. There are about 1300 births per annum, with 4.5 birth rooms and 2 midwives on per shift. So there is no true facility for woman centred care, and being a teaching hospital, it's not low intervention either. There is no specific place to separate low and high risk women or the care they receive ... the midwives do their best... Mullumbimby is not a birth centre - it is not midwife run, but it does only take 'low risk' women. There is somewhere between 25-33% transfers out of Mullum to other institutions. There are 4 male GP's who provide care at Mullum, and women can only book in if under a GP care. There are only about 120 births per year, with midwives working between the birth rooms (3 of them) and the hospital. We can only hope that there may be future case load serices at Lismore, but as I said, it's a tertiary teaching hospital and there are always lots of young doctors willing/needing to attend births... Hope this helps. Feel free to email me off line if you want to ask more. Sue Hi Listers, Just a question about birthing services in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Hoping to buy a property in the hills behind Lismore in the next year or so, when my son finshes his HSC. Looking like I will still have to work about three shifts a week for financial security and also some self employment stuff like lactation services(I am IBCLC)and calmbirth, which i plan to train in next year. I am aware that Mullumbimby has a great birth centre, but we may be living a good 60 mins away from there. I also hope to move into homebirthing in the future. Is anyone familiar with birthing services at Lismore? Is it woman centred, low intervention, midwife friendly care? I am currently a team midwife on the central coast and am hoping to continue working with low risk women. Any info would be appreciated as my family and I are so looking forward to this downshift, we are currently so stressed with full time work and travelling long distances in opposite directions to work while our lonely kids wait at home!! Thanks Di __ NOD32 1.1233 (20050926) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.nod32.com
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Is anyone familiar with birthing services at Lismore? Is it woman centred, low intervention, midwife friendly care? Hi Di, I don't know what Lismore is like now, but after being transferred from Mullum ( which I found very interventionist with one midwife and very non with another, luck of the draw I guess), before my husband arrived, I was pinned to the bed during a contraction by a nurse and an Ob while he stuck his hand inside my vagina, while I screamed, N!!! It was an absolutely terrifying and traumatic experience. He then said, well, you'll just have to have a caeserean because you won't let me examine you. That was the start of a horrible time at Lismore, where I was 'not allowed' to have my daughter after the c section. I was then left in recovery for hours because noone was able to come and get me. Every time the nurses moved my bed, it flew down and eventually my mum noticed that at the end of the bed in BIG red letters it said, WARNING! THIS BED NEEDS TWO PEOPLE TO ADJUST IT , that was after two days of agony to my scar every time the bed was moved by ONE nurse. I was left ! for two hours holding my daughter ringing the buzzer as I couldn't move, and was given absolutely no advice or info regarding breastfeeding, recovery after a c section or any other kind of care or support. That is just a little of my experience at Lismore. I found the care and attitude of the staff appaulling. Maybe things have changed but not that I have heard of. If I thought it would get anywhere I would charge the Ob, I believe that was the first and only time in my life when I have been sexually abused. Not sure if any of that gives any info, but thought I'd share. Love Abby -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Dear Abby and all You said I would charge the Ob, I believe that was the first and only time in my life when I have been sexually abused. Can I suggest that unless women like you make complaints to the HCCC that these practices will remain and more women will feel violated from obstetric practice. When Maternity Coalition met with the NSW Health Care Complaints Commissioner she made it very clear that although she 'knew' that maternity services were pretty much broken in NSW on the basis of complaints against Obs they looked wonderful (ie 13 out of 86,000). Groups like MC will only remain credible if women are brave and 'come forward' (to appropriate agencies) with their complaints. I do not know how hard it is to mount a complaint against a Dr. But I do know how hard it is to address the torment of sexual abuse so in a way I can sympathise. Kind regards Justine -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Dear Abby, (nice to see you pop up btw!) your experience sounds a lot like what happened to me at RWH in Melbourne. I complained to the hospital which tried really hard to fob me off and then had a mediation with the Health Services Commissioner. It had no effect on the hospital at all, and the Ob that raped me has gone back to the country from which she came. She was here learning how to be a better Ob... I really urge women to complain but it takes a lot of determination and support to do it and I had none with my complaint despite trying to find it. Thanks for sharing your terrible experience. I only wish people realised that our stories are not out of the ordinary but pretty normal experiences for birthing women in hospitals. Love and healing vibes to you, J xx -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Thanks Abby, Sounds like it was a dreadful time for you. I want to be fairly sure of where Im going before I find it too hard to live with. Your experience would have left me as a midwife traumatised too. I had a friend who birthed at Mullum and said her midwife was a bit dreadful too, she was a perm night person who usually avoided birthing suite. Di - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 9:31 PM Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Is anyone familiar with birthing services at Lismore? Is it woman centred, low intervention, midwife friendly care? Hi Di, I don't know what Lismore is like now, but after being transferred from Mullum ( which I found very interventionist with one midwife and very non with another, luck of the draw I guess), before my husband arrived, I was pinned to the bed during a contraction by a nurse and an Ob while he stuck his hand inside my vagina, while I screamed, N!!! It was an absolutely terrifying and traumatic experience. He then said, well, you'll just have to have a caeserean because you won't let me examine you. That was the start of a horrible time at Lismore, where I was 'not allowed' to have my daughter after the c section. I was then left in recovery for hours because noone was able to come and get me. Every time the nurses moved my bed, it flew down and eventually my mum noticed that at the end of the bed in BIG red letters it said, WARNING! THIS BED NEEDS TWO PEOPLE TO ADJUST IT , that was after two days of agony to my scar every time the bed was moved by ONE nurse. I was left ! for two hours holding my daughter ringing the buzzer as I couldn't move, and was given absolutely no advice or info regarding breastfeeding, recovery after a c section or any other kind of care or support. That is just a little of my experience at Lismore. I found the care and attitude of the staff appaulling. Maybe things have changed but not that I have heard of. If I thought it would get anywhere I would charge the Ob, I believe that was the first and only time in my life when I have been sexually abused. Not sure if any of that gives any info, but thought I'd share. Love Abby -- 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: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Sure am, Brenda. J - Original Message - From: brendamanning [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 9:51 AM Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Janet, Are you reading this ?? Brenda - Original Message - From: diane [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 9:32 AM Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Thanks Abby, Sounds like it was a dreadful time for you. I want to be fairly sure of where Im going before I find it too hard to live with. Your experience would have left me as a midwife traumatised too. I had a friend who birthed at Mullum and said her midwife was a bit dreadful too, she was a perm night person who usually avoided birthing suite. Di - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 9:31 PM Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Is anyone familiar with birthing services at Lismore? Is it woman centred, low intervention, midwife friendly care? Hi Di, I don't know what Lismore is like now, but after being transferred from Mullum ( which I found very interventionist with one midwife and very non with another, luck of the draw I guess), before my husband arrived, I was pinned to the bed during a contraction by a nurse and an Ob while he stuck his hand inside my vagina, while I screamed, N!!! It was an absolutely terrifying and traumatic experience. He then said, well, you'll just have to have a caeserean because you won't let me examine you. That was the start of a horrible time at Lismore, where I was 'not allowed' to have my daughter after the c section. I was then left in recovery for hours because noone was able to come and get me. Every time the nurses moved my bed, it flew down and eventually my mum noticed that at the end of the bed in BIG red letters it said, WARNING! THIS BED NEEDS TWO PEOPLE TO ADJUST IT , that was after two days of agony to my scar every time the bed was moved by ONE nurse. I was left ! for two hours holding my daughter ringing the buzzer as I couldn't move, and was given absolutely no advice or info regarding breastfeeding, recovery after a c section or any other kind of care or support. That is just a little of my experience at Lismore. I found the care and attitude of the staff appaulling. Maybe things have changed but not that I have heard of. If I thought it would get anywhere I would charge the Ob, I believe that was the first and only time in my life when I have been sexually abused. Not sure if any of that gives any info, but thought I'd share. Love Abby -- 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. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Hi Justine and everyone, I know I should complain, I tell all my clients to complain when things have been terrible. Until recently I found it very difficult to even think about what happened. I have had the forms to get my records for ages but am a little scared to read through them. I would like to know what the Ob had to say for himself. It is really hard to get anywhere with the HCCC from my experience. My sister had a terrible experience just over 18months ago, some may recall me posting, and she put in a complaint right away and pretty much she was told too bad, so sad. She is now claiming for damages and charging the hospital with some kind of entrapment, though it is all through a private lawyer and costing them heaps. All she really wants is an apology and some one to say they were wrong. A friend of mine was at a workshop on working with women that had been sexually abused. There was counsellors, nurses, psychologists, social workers etc etc there. She bought up the topic of sexual abuse during birth and most of them laughed saying that was impossible because it is what doctors and midwives need to do. Even the facilitator thought she was overreacting when she commented that for a lot of women the first time they are violated sexually is while they are birthing. I personally cannot see how it is any different just because it is a doctor or midwife. I will think more about pursuing the HCCC, but when I have mentioned it to my early childhood nurse ( just after it happened), my private Ob, the mental health team and my counsellor they all sort of dismissed it because the nurse and the Ob were 'professionals' just doing their job. Love Abby Can I suggest that unless women like you make complaints to the HCCC that these practices will remain and more women will feel violated from obstetric practice. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Hi Abby, We health professionals really need to be challenged to see these situations from our client's points of view. I don't know if it would get published, but even an anonymous open letter to health professionals in a professional journal may get the message out there, that we need to understand the consequences of our actions from not just an immediate clinical point of view, but also from the longer term consequences approach. These are hidden from health professionals in acute care settings, and I think we often just don't get it. I am sorry that you had that experience, and apologise to you on behalf of my health care professional colleagues. It is not good enough. Kind regards, Nicole Carver, Midwife. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 12:41 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Justine and everyone, I know I should complain, I tell all my clients to complain when things have been terrible. Until recently I found it very difficult to even think about what happened. I have had the forms to get my records for ages but am a little scared to read through them. I would like to know what the Ob had to say for himself. It is really hard to get anywhere with the HCCC from my experience. My sister had a terrible experience just over 18months ago, some may recall me posting, and she put in a complaint right away and pretty much she was told too bad, so sad. She is now claiming for damages and charging the hospital with some kind of entrapment, though it is all through a private lawyer and costing them heaps. All she really wants is an apology and some one to say they were wrong. A friend of mine was at a workshop on working with women that had been sexually abused. There was counsellors, nurses, psychologists, social workers etc etc there. She bought up the topic of sexual abuse during birth and most of them laughed saying that was impossible because it is what doctors and midwives need to do. Even the facilitator thought she was overreacting when she commented that for a lot of women the first time they are violated sexually is while they are birthing. I personally cannot see how it is any different just because it is a doctor or midwife. I will think more about pursuing the HCCC, but when I have mentioned it to my early childhood nurse ( just after it happened), my private Ob, the mental health team and my counsellor they all sort of dismissed it because the nurse and the Ob were 'professionals' just doing their job. Love Abby Can I suggest that unless women like you make complaints to the HCCC that these practices will remain and more women will feel violated from obstetric practice. -- 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] Northern Rivers
Oh my Goodness!!! Im not sure I could work in the system up there!! Just emailed the Clinical Midwifery Consultant of the Northern Rivers, only to get a response saying there is no one in that position since Dec 04 I did hear Liz speak at the ICM about how midwives coped with the change when birthing was removed from Byron. Surely if ever there would be a group of motivated consumers it would be inByron, is MC active there??? Would be the perfect place for caseload midwifery. Maybe another plan.. what about Port Macquarie, wasn't there a birth centre opened there once upon a time??? Di. - Original Message - From: Stephen James To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 11:07 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers Hi Di, I'm an unofficial ozmidder (reading the archives so as not to clog up the inbox). I live in South Golden Beach Northern rivers and am a midwife with a permanent contract at Mullum hospital. Currently on maternity leave after having given birth to my gorgeous boy Solomon, at home with 2 of the midwives I work with at Mullum. Lismore is your typical large obstetric run hospital, with some dinosaur midwives, some who have a fear of birthing and a handful who 'fly under the radar'. Tweed is the same or perhaps a little worse. Murwillumbah is in between Mullum and Tweed so I hear. Ive not worked at Lismore or M'bah but have transferred with women from Mullum there. Tweed I have experienced and had to stop for the sake of my blood pressure! shockers! Mullum offers waterbirth and there is a definite feeling of teamb/w medical and nursing/midwifery staff. They really are a great bunch. Management are not as supportive as they could be but better than other places Ive worked. There is a lot of nursing however, but when you get a birth its the next best thing to home birth. Myself and another midwife from mullum are doing a few homebirths and I imagine this will grow as our children grow. You could also speak to Liz McCall at Byron hospital cns and president of the far north coast midwives assoc. We get together every few months but are sadly notr as proactive as we could be. I would love to rant and rave some more but have a very wriggly 7 month old on my lap so will just quickly say give me a call and we can chat further. Byron loves midwives and you'd be very welcome Jessica Simms 02 6680 4346
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Hi Nicole, I wrote an enormous letter including my birth story to the hospital where my birthrape was perpetrated. It made no difference. I still have women from that hospital joining the birth trauma group I run on a regular basis. I don't understand why we consumers have to point out the violence in the system to those who work in it. If a woman says no and is disregarded, she will be traumatised. If a woman is separated from her baby and mocked by staff, she will be traumatised. If a woman screams Get out! in the middle of a VE because she has never experienced anything more excruciating in her life, it is clear to the meanest intelligence that there is a problem. To me this is like asking me to explain to my rapist that rape is bad. We know rape is bad, we shouldn't need to be told not to do it. The woman in those examples was me. You can read the story and complaint letter here http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14 J -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] Northern Rivers
Hi Listers, Just a question about birthing services in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Hoping to buy a property in the hills behind Lismore in the next year or so, when my son finshes his HSC. Looking like I will still have to work about three shifts a week for financial security and also some self employment stuff like lactation services(I am IBCLC)and calmbirth, which i plan to train in next year. I am aware that Mullumbimby has a great birth centre, but we may be living a good 60 mins away from there. I also hope to move into homebirthing in the future. Is anyone familiar with birthing services at Lismore? Is it woman centred, low intervention, midwife friendly care? I am currently a team midwife on the central coast and am hoping to continue working with low risk women. Any info would be appreciated as my family and I are so looking forward to this downshift, we are currently so stressed with full time work and travelling long distances in opposite directions to work while our lonely kids wait at home!! Thanks Di
