more media

Crikey First dog on the moon cartoon.

From Busselton WA
Mums fight for home births
21st August 2009, 10:45 WST

"Four Busselton mothers concerned about the future lack of choices for expectant women are going to join a rally at Canberra House next month. ..."


The Australian

Maternity push urged

Siobhain Ryan | August 18, 2009

A SENATE committee has urged the government to push ahead with changes to nurse and maternity services, despite recognising the risk home births could be driven underground.

The ALP-dominated committee has left it to the states and territories to help resolve the indemnity crisis facing private midwives next year, when a new registration and accreditation scheme comes into force. ...
[Email your letter to the Editor of the Australian: letters@theaustralian.com.au]


The Age

Home truths for home birth laws

August 18, 2009

A SENATE committee has stepped up pressure on the Government to rethink its lack of support for home births with even Government senators acknowledging that current proposals could ''drive home births underground''.

The Government chairwoman of the Senate's community affairs committee, Claire Moore, said the three Labor members recommended go-ahead of legislation expanding the role of midwives and extending support for medical indemnity cover for midwives operating in hospitals.

But Senator Moore said that, while the legislation did not make home births unlawful, separate legislation dealing with the accreditation of health workers ''may result in home births being outside the scope of practice of registered midwives due to the requirement for indemnity insurance as a condition of registration''.

MARK METHERELL and KATE BENSON

[your letter to the editor of The Age: newsdesk@theage.com.au]


Herald

Home birth proposals would put mums and babies at risk: advocate
BY KYLIE WILLIAMS

18/08/2009 4:00:00 AM

A HUNTER home birthing advocate says a senate committee's decision to recommend the Federal Government's proposed health care laws would drive home births underground and put lives at risk.

Homebirth Australia secretary and mother of seven, Justine Caines, of Scone, said the changes would effectively make home births unlawful, despite the committee saying otherwise, because registration would become impossible.

This in turn would drive home births underground, putting lives at risk.

"If you're going to get jailed or fined if you have any part of it, if anything goes wrong you're going to run away and call an ambulance," she said.

"It puts everyone at risk."

Ms Caines, who gave birth to all her children at home, said the changes could also deter women who want home births from getting appropriate primary health care.

[Make your comment at the bottom of the online link for this article.]