Australian midwifery's Position Statement on Homebirth

MIPP and other midwifery and maternity consumer groups are preparing our responses to the ACM Interim Positon Statement on Homebirth. See previous posts at villagemidwife and an earlier post on this blog.

It's a complex and important matter.

Is caesarean now the normal way to give birth and should we be worried?

From theconversation: A hot topic: Is caesarean now the ‘normal’ way to give birth, and should we be worried? written by midwife academic, Professor Caroline Homer.

We must remember that 'usual' is not necessarily 'normal'. The physiological norm for pregnancy, childbirth, and nurture of the infant will always engage the woman's and baby's sensitive hormonal systems and deep intuitive knowledge.

The Australian Private Midwives Association (APMA) has just launched an on-line campaign, called Mums Matter! 

This is aimed at bringing the issue of women's rights back on the agenda (as it has slipped off many politicians radars!) We have 1 week before pollies are back in Canberra. By then we want 20,000 supporters sending emails sent to pollies across the country. It is super easy only takes 2 mins. Please pass on far and wide.

We know different women make different decisions but the vast majority support each others' ability to make them. APMA is also asking for pledges of $20 to fund our campaign continuing. We don't need to all travel to Canberra this time we want to make it cheap, easy but still effective. Here's the link http://mumsmatter.good.do/mums-matter/

Thankyou for passing this message on.

Role of the registered midwife in private practice when the woman is admitted to a health service as a public patient

A new position statement has been circulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, concerning the role of the midwife who supports a woman admitted to a public hospital. Extracted from that position statement:

... The midwife may choose to withdraw when the care of the woman is assigned to the health facility’s health care professionals. However, should the woman request it, the midwife may choose to remain as a support person to the woman either as paid or unpaid as agreed between them.