RE: Re: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms
I admire anyone having a free birth. I can understand your frustration with centrelink. But do not despair, they do this to everyone, and not just centrelink. I have had similar experiences with government and private businesses, schools, hospitals. Everyone seems to want to make things as hard as they can, and no one can tell you anything, or make a decision. I hope you do write and complain, sending copies to ministers newspapers. You will find a lot of support. Maureen -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, 9 June 2006 11:59 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms HI Penny, Thanks for your response. So many good points. I too was in touch with Bronwyn and she left the position in the middle of my application process. I had called the registry before Runah was born and was informed that we just needed to stat decs, one could be from me and one from my hubby. The girl on the phone was lovely and highly intrigued by the concept of unassisted birth. I had heard of mamas having a really hard time so thought this was going to be easy and great. How wrong I was, and I am not one for putting up with being treated badly, but these people were IMPOSSIBLE!! Basically we sent away the form and our two stat decs, we didn't hear back for a few weeks so I rang up and got the most horrible woman on the phone, her name is Maria. She huffed in a disapproving way when I told her our story and said, YOU DID WHAT!!??!! After looking it up she said our application had been processed and we would receive our birth certificate within the week. I asked to speak to her supervisor to put in a complaint about her as she had been really rude. She told me I could not and would have to send a letter of complaint to the office. I demanded to speak with her supervisor and after about 5 mins of arguing she finally agreed to go and get someone. I was on hold for 11 minutes (yes I timed it) and she got back on the phone and said, sorry noone wants to talk to you! You'll just have to write in and complain. I then said, you kept me on hold for 11 minutes to tell me that, and she said, ahh YES!! and chuckled!! AAUUGGHH!!! So, again we didn't hear anything for a couple of weeks, called again, more promises made, another couple of weeks still nothing. Then we received a letter saying we needed to send in more info regarding my doctor, butI didn't have a doctor! This went on for 3 months back and forth, we need this, we need that, but only when we would call and often our calls were not returned. In the end I yelled at someone about how ridiculous and incompetent the system was and got put through to someone else who was very helpful and seemed to get it sorted, but it was not. In the end this is what we provided: Two stat decs from my husband and I Extra proof of ID from us ( which is ridiculous as we had to get a JP to view our ID and sign them) A stat dec from a friend who was at the birth ~ they also asked her a few weeks later to send copies of her ID signed by a JP, then sent her their own stat decs for her to fill in!!) A stat dec from a doctor we know ~ he knew how stupid it could be and photocopied and faxed every piece of id he owned! I then called and they told me I hadn't paid, by this time I was so angry and irate and let loose threatening to come down and create a scene. I do feel sorry for that poor guy. Anyway it worked and a few days later we received a standard and a decorative birth certificate. The funniest thing, a few days after receiving the certificates we received another set! It was a crazy, stressful and demoralising experience and I was definitely being mistreated because of my decision to freebirth. In regards to your comment about the word freebirth as opposed to unassisted birth I use both terms but recently have been thinking about the terms. I sometimes feel that the term unassisted birth implies that assistance is necessary but you have chosen to not have assistance. I think freebirth implies just that, freedom in the true sense of the word, with no interferrence. I too, don't think it's a good decision for every mama, but it was the best, most empowering and healing decision for me. I do think for some mamas it is an enlightened choice, though deeply personal. Love Abby according to where she is at in her life. I think it is the rare few that would truly choose to ever birth without any trained assistance whether it be medical or lay and I don't think it is wise to make this out as an enlightened choice (remember I have had two wonderful births like this myself so I'm not speaking from lack of love for this option). Maybe I have it wrong and the free' relates to no monetary cost! warm regards to all who provide choice for women in a world where it is sadly becoming nonexistent Penny -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http
Re: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms
Hi Abby and all, I think that a lot of the drama that women trying to register unassisted births happens because we put up with it. I have been involved with advocating for women trying to register their babies born at home without medical assistance for years. As they were being given such a huge run around I decided to take personal action and contacted the manager of the registrations section, at that time Bronwyn Hanson, who subsequently opened a folder specifically for these women and advised me to get these families to contact her directly. This was a great system for a few years as families got their births processed quickly and without fuss. They had to supply two stat decs (if possible) from people who had witnessed the birth and that was it. Unfortunately recently when I directed a woman to take this course of action it was discovered that Bronwyn Hanson had left that posistion and once again whoever had taken her place seemed to be at a loss as to how best get documentation of the existence of a live baby to this mother. They crazily got her to get letters from neighbours, as many stat decs as possible and photographs of her pregnant and with baby why I ask when a stat dec is a legal document? I recommend that women trying to register their babies avoid call centre staff and ask to be put through to the manager immediately. There has been a precedent set as to how they should be treated and the process they should be asked to follow to register their baby. They should ask for no more than 2 stat decs to verify the birth and if they do ask for more it can be clearly stated that many women who have had unassisted births over the last few years have only had to supply the above. The number of different stories (and unfortunately abusive comments) families were getting when they called the standard number and spoke to call centre staff would have made a great comedy skit about bureaucracy. I think a lot of people have trouble wrapping their head around homebirth let alone birthing without medical assistance (be that with or without lay assistance) by choice. Call centre staff would make comments such as: So you gave birth by accident at home, are you OK, do you want me to call an ambulance?. And of course they find it most difficult to understand why women wouldn't want to take their perfectly bonny healthy babies to a doctor just to get a form signed. I understand as I didn't see a doctor for either of my last two pregnancies and birthed at home without medical assistance. I objected to paying a doctor to sign a form just to make it easier for the bureacracy to neatly process us. A side note: I am interested in the origins of the term freebirth when describing an unassisted birth. To me a freebirth is a birth where the birthing woman truly has autonomy, is well informed and has made her choices according to where she is at in her life. I think it is the rare few that would truly choose to ever birth without any trained assistance whether it be medical or lay and I don't think it is wise to make this out as an enlightened choice (remember I have had two wonderful births like this myself so I'm not speaking from lack of love for this option). Maybe I have it wrong and the free' relates to no monetary cost! warm regards to all who provide choice for women in a world where it is sadly becoming nonexistent Penny - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 11:55 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Hi Sue, After my beautiful girls birth we called Births Deaths and Marriages and Centrelink and they told us to go to our local hospital. Well, one hospital gave my husband the hardest time about it and refused to give him a form unless I came in. Now this hospital is known for calling DOCS on anyone they think has done the wrong thing ie freebirthing. He then went to our other local hospital and they were s lovely. They gave him all kinds of info on the services they offer, just in case we wanted to take advantage of it and also gave him the forms and everything we needed. Though, the only problem was, it did have the hospital sticker on the back. So, in the end I went to Centrelink and got forms myself, we then had a hell of a time getting our baby registered and then finally we got to hand in our Centrelink forms. Basically, Centrelink won't take the forms unsigned without a Birth Certificate. If you want any info on how to get a Birth Certificate for a babe in NSW let me know. We had to provide all kinds of info and it took months. They have no protocol so it really depends on the person you are speaking to. Love Abby Sue Cookson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Anyone out there have any idea how women/couples who choose to birth unattended or with non-registered attendants can get there babies centrelink/medicare form from
Re: Re: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms
HI Penny, Thanks for your response. So many good points. I too was in touch with Bronwyn and she left the position in the middle of my application process. I had called the registry before Runah was born and was informed that we just needed to stat decs, one could be from me and one from my hubby. The girl on the phone was lovely and highly intrigued by the concept of unassisted birth. I had heard of mamas having a really hard time so thought this was going to be easy and great. How wrong I was, and I am not one for putting up with being treated badly, but these people were IMPOSSIBLE!! Basically we sent away the form and our two stat decs, we didn't hear back for a few weeks so I rang up and got the most horrible woman on the phone, her name is Maria. She huffed in a disapproving way when I told her our story and said, YOU DID WHAT!!??!! After looking it up she said our application had been processed and we would receive our birth certificate within the week. I asked to speak to her supervisor to put in a complaint about her as she had been really rude. She told me I could not and would have to send a letter of complaint to the office. I demanded to speak with her supervisor and after about 5 mins of arguing she finally agreed to go and get someone. I was on hold for 11 minutes (yes I timed it) and she got back on the phone and said, sorry noone wants to talk to you! You'll just have to write in and complain. I then said, you kept me on hold for 11 minutes to tell me that, and she said, ahh YES!! and chuckled!! AAUUGGHH!!! So, again we didn't hear anything for a couple of weeks, called again, more promises made, another couple of weeks still nothing. Then we received a letter saying we needed to send in more info regarding my doctor, butI didn't have a doctor! This went on for 3 months back and forth, we need this, we need that, but only when we would call and often our calls were not returned. In the end I yelled at someone about how ridiculous and incompetent the system was and got put through to someone else who was very helpful and seemed to get it sorted, but it was not. In the end this is what we provided: Two stat decs from my husband and I Extra proof of ID from us ( which is ridiculous as we had to get a JP to view our ID and sign them) A stat dec from a friend who was at the birth ~ they also asked her a few weeks later to send copies of her ID signed by a JP, then sent her their own stat decs for her to fill in!!) A stat dec from a doctor we know ~ he knew how stupid it could be and photocopied and faxed every piece of id he owned! I then called and they told me I hadn't paid, by this time I was so angry and irate and let loose threatening to come down and create a scene. I do feel sorry for that poor guy. Anyway it worked and a few days later we received a standard and a decorative birth certificate. The funniest thing, a few days after receiving the certificates we received another set! It was a crazy, stressful and demoralising experience and I was definitely being mistreated because of my decision to freebirth. In regards to your comment about the word freebirth as opposed to unassisted birth I use both terms but recently have been thinking about the terms. I sometimes feel that the term unassisted birth implies that assistance is necessary but you have chosen to not have assistance. I think freebirth implies just that, freedom in the true sense of the word, with no interferrence. I too, don't think it's a good decision for every mama, but it was the best, most empowering and healing decision for me. I do think for some mamas it is an enlightened choice, though deeply personal. Love Abby according to where she is at in her life. I think it is the rare few that would truly choose to ever birth without any trained assistance whether it be medical or lay and I don't think it is wise to make this out as an enlightened choice (remember I have had two wonderful births like this myself so I'm not speaking from lack of love for this option). Maybe I have it wrong and the free' relates to no monetary cost! warm regards to all who provide choice for women in a world where it is sadly becoming nonexistent Penny -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms
Why not just go to Centrelink? Take baby and a stat deck, or certificate from GP. Maureen -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Tuesday, 6 June 2006 5:40 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Hi, Anyone out there have any idea how women/couples who choose to birth unattended or with non-registered attendants can get there babies centrelink/medicare form from? Used to be a matter of getting baby sighted by a GP and the appropriate forms signed. The new forms are all registered to the care provider and most GPs don't have them. Any thoughts? Sue -- 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] new centrelink forms
Information from the Purebirth (Unassisted Pregnancy and Birth) Australia site on Centrelink payments : http://www.purebirth-australia.com/centrelink.html - Original Message - From: Sue Cookson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 5:39 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Hi, Anyone out there have any idea how women/couples who choose to birth unattended or with non-registered attendants can get there babies centrelink/medicare form from? Used to be a matter of getting baby sighted by a GP and the appropriate forms signed. The new forms are all registered to the care provider and most GPs don't have them. Any thoughts? Sue -- 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] new centrelink forms
Hi Sue, Contact Centrelink on 1300 36 76 76 Explain that you need forms: FAO - 04 FAO - 04P FAO - 8S Birth AH - 1102 Just explain that you are an IP have your NBV Reg Number handy. With kind regards Brenda Manning www.themidwife.com.au - Original Message - From: Ken Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 6:42 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Why not just go to Centrelink? Take baby and a stat deck, or certificate from GP. Maureen -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Tuesday, 6 June 2006 5:40 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Hi, Anyone out there have any idea how women/couples who choose to birth unattended or with non-registered attendants can get there babies centrelink/medicare form from? Used to be a matter of getting baby sighted by a GP and the appropriate forms signed. The new forms are all registered to the care provider and most GPs don't have them. Any thoughts? Sue -- 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] new centrelink forms
Call the Family Assistance Office 136150. - Original Message From: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Date: 06/06/2006 18:48 Why not just go to Centrelink? Take baby and a stat deck, or certificate from GP. Maureen -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sue Cookson Sent: Tuesday, 6 June 2006 5:40 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms Hi, Anyone out there have any idea how women/couples who choose to birth unattended or with non-registered attendants can get there babies centrelink/medicare form from? Used to be a matter of getting baby sighted by a GP and the appropriate forms signed. The new forms are all registered to the care provider and most GPs don't have them. Any thoughts? Sue -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit lt;http://www.acegraphics.com.augt; to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit lt;http://www.acegraphics.com.augt; to subscribe or unsubscribe. Dodo - an Official Sponsor of the 2006 FORMULA 1 (tm) Foster's Australian Grand Prix -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] new centrelink forms
Hi Sue, After my beautiful girls birth we called Births Deaths and Marriages and Centrelink and they told us to go to our local hospital. Well, one hospital gave my husband the hardest time about it and refused to give him a form unless I came in. Now this hospital is known for calling DOCS on anyone they think has done the wrong thing ie freebirthing. He then went to our other local hospital and they were s lovely. They gave him all kinds of info on the services they offer, just in case we wanted to take advantage of it and also gave him the forms and everything we needed. Though, the only problem was, it did have the hospital sticker on the back. So, in the end I went to Centrelink and got forms myself, we then had a hell of a time getting our baby registered and then finally we got to hand in our Centrelink forms. Basically, Centrelink won't take the forms unsigned without a Birth Certificate. If you want any info on how to get a Birth Certificate for a babe in NSW let me know. We had to provide all kinds of info and it took months. They have no protocol so it really depends on the person you are speaking to. Love Abby Sue Cookson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Anyone out there have any idea how women/couples who choose to birth unattended or with non-registered attendants can get there babies centrelink/medicare form from? Used to be a matter of getting baby sighted by a GP and the appropriate forms signed. The new forms are all registered to the care provider and most GPs don't have them. Any thoughts? Sue -- 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.
