CO-SLEEPING

Many BaBs mothers and babies co-sleep, with various arrangements that have evolved for sharing the family bed at night time.

I would love to hear from others about their experiences. Please add your thoughts as comments, or email me joy@aitex.com.au

The science of attachment parenting was in its infancy when I was a new mother, and it wasn't until our fourth child, Josh, (who worked out what was important very early in his life) deemed it necessary to have access to mummy's breast several times through the night that we learnt how to share our bed with him. The first three children had all been sleeping in their own beds through the night from six weeks of age, and growing like weeds, and perhaps snuggling in with us around dawn. This happened without any input or skill on my part, other than feeding them when they were hungry. In my experience, co-sleeping was a skill that I didn't learn until I needed it.

BaBs has received generous sponsorship from a business called 'Sweet Dreams', that produces My little bed. (hence the picture of the box) The owner of 'Sweet Dreams' asked me to endorse the product a couple of years ago. I agreed, with the condition that the money be paid to a charity that benefits mothers and babies, rather than accepting the money personally. In this way I have been pleased to direct the money to BaBs.

The statement on the box is that "New mothers, who learn to sleep close to their babies, are able to respond to them, breast feed comfortably, and return to sleep without difficulty. My little bed could help parents adjust to co-sleeping with their babies."

I want to emphasise the thought that we learn so much in the early days of becoming a mother - especially the first time. The development of lifelong attachments between a mother and child starts with the babe in the womb, and continues through infancy. A mother who is supported in learning to nourish and nurture her baby, especially in the first days, finds her own way safely through a complex and often challenging set of adjustments. The father is also making huge adjustments. Perhaps a modified 3-sided box, such as My little bed will give some parents the confidence to try co-sleeping.

Readers who are interested in knowing more about co-sleeping could visit Wikipedia, and some interesting discussion attached. The article lists "co-sleeping infant enclosures which are placed directly in the adult bed" under 'Products' [We are a consumer society, after all], along with one that I had a little chuckle about "bed top co-sleeping products designed to prevent baby from rolling off the adult bed and to absorb breastmilk and other night time leaks"!

In posting this information I would like to thank 'Sweet Dreams' for its sponsorship of BaBs, and wish all mothers and babies "sweet dreams". Joy

Kaspar's blog

Melody Bourne wrote:
"I'm writing to share with you Kaspar's blog and fundraiser. Kaspar is the son of my friend, wonder woman and mother extraordinaire - Kerri Shoemark. Through Kerri I have learnt how 7 year old Kaspar brings boundless love and joy into the lives of his family and friends, and inspires like gifts into the wider world. Kaspar brings these gifts by being Kaspar, but being Kaspar also means having some crucial needs that far exceed his family's resources.

Kaspar's gifts in the words of his mother....

"I knew in my heart that Kaspar was just Kaspar, perfect in his imperfections and not to be boxed and labelled. We just had to be OK with the mystery of him and love him in every moment for what he brought to us. And he has brought us so much.... He has taught us lessons in compassion and unconditional love. He has taught us to accept all people as they are and not what our expectation of them might be."

And the hardship....

"...the fact is we do need to plan for Kaspar's' future and when you have a child with a disability the future can be terrifying...we have heard the horror stories of older more experienced parents. And have experienced first hand the financial and emotional nightmare that it can be."

It takes an entire village to raise a child...

"For Kaspar's life to rise above the usual picture we NEED THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY. Some can support us financially, some will occasionally bring us a home cooked meal and some will send warm thoughts. ALL OF THIS HELPS."

For Kaspar...

"The fund raising we are doing is for some of the basic tools of life in the western world...an appropriate bathroom and an appropriate vehicle...By supporting our appeal you are keeping a child out of an institution and keeping a family together.....and we humbly thank you."

For the future of children with disabilities and their families...

"Our future vision is to create a foundation that will provide wheel chair accessible vehicles for families in need. We have a team of very talented and dedicated people ready to act on our dream and we anticipate that by this time next year we will be launching the Kaspar Foundation."

Please check out Kaspar's blog. There is a fabulous gig coming up this Saturday 22nd of November, to be held at the Northcote Uniting Church Hall. If you can't make the gig then give something meaningful this Christmas, give so that a family may stay together. Follow the link.

www.kasparsfundraiser.blogspot.com

Please pass this on to human beings!

Midwives Naturally seminar on normal birth

Midwives Naturally would like to invite anyone interested in promoting or achieving a normal vaginal birth to attend a seminar being held on the 9th December 2008 at the Belly Belly Pregnancy centre. see www.midwivesnaturally.com.au for details and flyer. Hope to see you there, Nicola

Towards a new understanding of Pelvic Instability

The Pelvic Instability Association (PIA) invite you to their November Meeting
Towards a new understanding of Pelvic Instability
Featuring guest speaker Jessica Danko. Jessica Danko was a Midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse when she became pregnant and suffered severe Pelvic Instability leading to several months in a wheelchair and intensive rehabilitation. Since then she has had a special interest in understanding all aspects of Pelvic Instability and how it impacts on women and their families. Jessica believes that Pelvic Instability is treatable and with further understanding of Pelvic Instability amongst the community women should hope to recover more quickly and move on to enjoy happy and healthy lives.

Sunday, November 23rd 2 pm to 4 pm
Location:
The Phoenix Park Library Meeting Room
Rob Roy Road, Malvern East (Mel Ref 69 D2)
Disabled and baby changing facilities available
Reserved parking spaces
Adventure playground and café for older children and partners

To RSVP and obtain more details, please email pelvicinstability@yahoo.com or
leave a message on our telephone message service: (03) 9539 3217

The Pelvic Instability Association (PIA) is an incorporated association, staffed entirely by volunteers, based in Victoria, Australia, with members worldwide. This group aims to provide support & information to women & families affected by Pelvic Instability in Australia and raise awareness of Pelvic Instability in the community and amongst health professionals.

CROYDON (Vic) BaBs Group - Term 4 calendar

Every week we check in with each other and give time to listen to a birth story, give time for questions or sharing a personal issue.

14 Nov - Viewing of Orgasmic Birth
21 Nov - Guest speaker P.A.N.D.A - Post and Ante Natal Depression Association - discussion and information
28 Nov - Choices in Childbirth discussion - in preparation for birth or debriefing, reflecting afterwards
05 Dec - Natural family planning - guest speaker and discussion
12 Dec - Natural birth - discussion
17 Dec - Wednesday 11.30-2.30 All Vic BaBs group Christmas Picnic @
Surrey Dive (Standard Ave, off Elgar Rd in Box Hill - close to the sports and acquatic complex).

Byo lunch and plate to share

Every Friday (school term)
10 – 12 pm
White Owl Wellness
209 Mount Dandenong Rd Croydon VIC 

Contact 9720 8058
BaBs is a free program.

What's good about BaBs?

We asked this question at a BaBs group recently. What's good: important/valuable/useful about BaBs? Here are the answers that were written down at the time (not in any particular order of importance).

HAVING friends to share life with
CREATING a place for women to gather
BEING able to be ready for safe child birth
HAVING confidence in your abilities
SEEING breasts, and breastfeeding
LEARNING about normal birthing and parenting
FOCUSING on each other
ENCOURAGING our children to see mother's value of herself as a mother
ENCOURAGING mothers to breastfeed as much as we can without time restrictions
FEELING special while you're pregnant
HONORING the pregnant woman
MAKING pregnancy and birth a positive event to celebrate
VALUING motherhood, particularly the first five years
GIVING women freedom to speak in the group setting
ESTABLISHING real relationships, and friendships with real people.

In the BaBs groups I have been delighted to see mothers actively becoming and enjoying all these things listed here, and I have seen them support one another in a beautifully caring way. Joy Johnston

NORMAL BIRTH: The bare necessities

Understanding that physiologically normal birth is a quintessential female act
• only women can give birth
• other people can greatly influence a woman’s ability to work in harmony with her natural processes. Each woman chooses her professional care provider(s)as well as her own trusted support team, which may include
• Partner
• Family members
• Friends
• Other supporters such as lay birth helper (doula)


Recognising the importance in physiologically normal birth that a mother is able to
• feel safe, personally respected, in a personal, intimate space
• be flexible – the mother can change what she wants/ doesn’t want
• move out of her thinking mind, and work in harmony with her intuitive brain
The mother who is able to take control of her environment, the space in which she labours, or the amount of light in the room, or personal touches such as her own music, or essential oils, can minimise feelings of alienation in labour, and enable her body to work effectively.

Minimising sensory stimulation in labour protects normal birth. Interference from anxiety, fear, higher brain activity, such as thinking about
• time between contractions,
• amount of dilatation, and other calculations that are in fact indicators of progress, which may inhibit normal birth
A woman may also be inhibited by the feeling of being observed, through photography, or strangers entering her labouring/birthing space. Any sensory stimulation may be unwelcome, and many mothers ask midwives to please refrain from using perfumes when attending births.

Being well. Healthy women usually give birth to healthy babies. Healthy diet, exercise, no exposure to smoking or other harmful substances in the environment, good social/emotional support in pregnancy and after the birth, access to professional care (eg dentist, physiotherapist, GP) as needed support wellness in pregnancy and birthing.

Knowing and trusting the midwife who can act with authority and take professional responsibility for primary maternity care. Being attended by a known midwife helps a woman to
• understand choices and make informed decisions
• have confidence in the knowledge base of her care provider
• be realistic about expectations

If decision is made to accept medical intervention, the change of plan is made from the physiologically normal birth, to the best birth that can be achieved with the collaborative efforts of the maternity care providers in that situation.

[Readers are encouraged to add any other 'bare necessities' for normal birth in the Comments section.] Joy Johnston

BaBs submission to the Maternity Services Review

• Q: What, if any, are key support services, including peer support which warrant national coverage?
In addressing this question, we wish to comment specifically on peer support in local communities, as we believe peer support in local communities is a key support service that is not currently available for most pregnant women and new mothers. BaBs, Birthing and Babies Support, provides such support. BaBs is a model of community based peer support that is specific to women’s maternity experiences. We recommend to the Review that the BaBs model be made available to all women, as part of a package of reforms that have been foreshadowed in the Maternity Services Review.

One of BaBs’ stated goals is “to expand opportunities for women and their families to find peer support, information and education regarding pregnancy, birth and parenting.” BaBs seeks to achieve this goal by establishing local peer group support as a forum to share information and knowledge of mothers, midwives, educators and researchers in the area of childbirth and early parenting. We work to support women and their families make informed choices and take action about pregnancy, birth and early parenting and to feel empowered and confident in their choices to improve their parenting experiences, health and life skills.


Topics covered in BaBs group meetings include:
• adjusting to mothering
• breastfeeding
• preparing for labour and birth
• birth after caesarean
• prenatal screening
• gentle parenting
• nappies and potty training
• consumerism
• and sleep issue for mothers and babies.

BaBs groups use reflection on experience, and group discussion, which are ‘maieutic’ forms of learning, rather than the ‘didactic’ or lecture/text book styles.

We recognise and value other support services which are available to women and their families around the time of pregnancy and birth, such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association, PANDA, CASA, SIDS, multiple birth association, and the like. These organisations target specific needs that apply to some women, addressing either social or health issues.

Local maternal and child health (MCH) services in Victoria provide a form of peer support for new mothers, in that they organise Mothers Groups for first-time mothers who give birth at approximately the same time. These new mothers’ groups are highly significant, and valued by many women. However they are accessible to only first-time mothers. Our members report that they find the peer support in BaBs, provided voluntarily by various women with children of different ages, and midwives, to be very important as local BaBs groups are responsive to their personal needs than the more structured Mothers Groups.

In this submission, in addition to our responses to questions posed by the Review, we are presenting brief case studies which are based on the experiences of mothers who have been attending BaBs groups, to illustrate the way BaBs is providing peer support. We propose that the Review provide support for the BaBs group concept, by means of recommendation to the Health Minister, that this model be developed and supported in communities nationally.

We have not responded in detail to questions about rural maternity care, as the peer support structures established within the local BaBs groups are possible in any community, rural or metropolitan. As the focus of BaBs is health promotion, enabling pregnant women and new mothers to increase control over, and to improve, their health in pregnancy and birthing, and in the nurture of their babies, we seek evidence based programs in pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, that are likely to improve health. We support the reforms to maternity services, as outlined in the review’s Discussion Paper, by which women themselves become the centre of the care, rather than the condition or the care provider. We look forward to the day when all women will be able to access quality maternity care by a known midwife who is their primary care provider throughout the episode of maternity care, and who works collaboratively with specialist health services when required. We refer particularly to the Cochrane Review of Midwife-led versus other models of care for childbearing women (Hatem et al 2008), and its authors’ conclusion “All women should be offered midwife-led models of care and women should be encouraged to ask for this option.”

Promotion of normal birth, and minimising unwarranted medicalisation through interventions into the natural processes in birth and establishment of breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding, are health promotion activities that will be supported by the reform of maternity services in line with clear evidence.

Macedon Ranges BaBs - the Great Nappy Debate...

This coming Monday we will be discussing all things nappy related in "the great nappy debate - cloth v's disposable" and opting for neither...there is an alternative.

It is interesting debate - in the current climate of water shortage and restrictions are cloth nappies an environmentally friendly choice?? Then again, the contribution of disposable nappies to landfill is staggering ...and what of the toxins used in manufacture and released on disposal??

Lets face it, cloth nappies are expensive to buy and there are so many 'modern' varieties to choose from - what is a good investment and will they last? Are eco-friendly disposables really living up to that claim given most are imported - besides who can afford them???

So, what is the alternative??

Come along and join in the discussion - BRING ALONG YOUR NAPPY OF CHOICE OR SIMPLY BE INFORMED ABOUT THE CHOICES - thats what BaBs is all about!

Monday 27th October 9:30-11:30am
Gisborne Community Health Centre - 5 Neal St (conference room)

We look forward to your support.

Tanya
PS - We will be at the Childrens Week Expo at Kyneton this Thursday - see www.macedon-ranges.vic.gov.au for more information!!

"From the beginning in Babs club I felt very welcome and supported. "

Sabina Aliyeva
Doncaster East
I am Azerbaijani and live in Australia for more than 8 years. Being a well educated business woman, I always loved to learn from books. In the beginning of my pregnancy I read a lot about pregnancy and motherhood. In fact, “Borders” was the place where I was discovering more and more about my body changes.

I found a pamphlet about BaBs at Box Hill Hospital, and was so pleased to find this information. I started to come to BaBs since I was 7 months pregnant. My daughter is now 22 months old.

From the beginning in Babs club I felt very welcome and supported. It was and it is very important for me to be surrounded by people who’s not indifferent to my worries or concerns. No way you can find in any book what every women was sharing about their pregnancies and labour there. Plus in the group we have professional midwife who could and can explain what really happening to you. Having a midwife at BaBs with many years of experiences has been very important to me. So, before my labour I had discovered through BaBs group discussions and advices of some principles (tips) that became very important to me in giving birth. I learnt about the importance of being active, and using gravity to help my baby progress. Few weeks before labour I had a birth plan ready which the midwife in the hospital respected. My labour was painful, but I didn’t let to give me any pain killers (as I was concern about baby’s well-being after) and lasted for 16.5 hours, but I am proud that I managed to give birth myself. I did not want an episiotomy to be cut, as at BaBs we had talked about avoiding episiotomy if possible. My tears healed well in 40 days.

In the hospital I was in a room with three other mothers. Their babies had all been delivered by caesarean. Their babies cried all the time; my baby was happy. I felt sorry for them.

I have no family support in Australia. A social worker at the hospital helped me and write a letter to present to the Immigration Department, and my mother was able to come here to help me.

My mama, whose name is Rafiga, arrived during the last month of my pregnancy, and stayed for 6 months. I brought my mama to BaBs. Mama was so impressed over how everyone was so warm, and really appreciated each other’s company. Although they were not family, they cared about each other. Mama really loved BaBs. She does not speak much English, but that did not seem to matter. She was loved and easy could communicated with my friends.

As my baby grew I had encouragement from BaBs, helping me know it was OK. I was worried about breastfeeding, settling, introducing solids. I learnt from other mothers’ parenting experiences.

Now we have new and healthy “branches” of Babs – our Playgroup! We all came to Babs during pregnancy and as our babies grew up we - Mums become friends and our little one’s not only recognise each other but also love to meet every time when they have a chance – Once a week so far!

"I came to the conclusion that I didn't need a specialist surgeon to go about natural pregnancy and childbirth"

Submission to the Maternity Services Review from Kiera Perrott

Dear Ms Bryant

I am writing to express my support for expanding women's access to midwifery care in Australia.

I recently had my first child in Box Hill, Victoria, and was unable to access the kind of care I wanted within the public system or private obstetrics route and instead chose to engage an independent midwife and birth at home at my own expense (my health insurance didn't cover these services either). I'd like to share with you some of my pregnancy, birth and postnatal story to let you know how I feel the system could be improved so that all women have the options I was fortunate enough to be able to access.


Once I had successfully conceived I went to my GP to discuss my options. My GP referred me to an obstetrician on the basis that I had private health insurance and that he was a great surgeon who would be useful if I needed a caesarean. This seems to be a common experience among my friends, but being fit, healthy, young women, the odds of us needing caesareans are low. The medical evidence suggests that care by a known midwife leads to the best outcome for mother and baby so it seems to me it would be better if GPs were referring women to the available midwifery services, which in my case includes a Know Your Midwife program at Birralee Maternity Service, Box Hill Hospital.


I made an appointment with the recommended obstetrician, but luckily his bedside manner was so poor that I came to the conclusion that I didn't need a specialist surgeon to go about natural pregnancy and childbirth. Unfortunately by the time I rang to try and get a booking with the Know Your Midwife program I was 17th on the waiting list. I made a booking with Birralee instead, but I was disappointed at the tour to discover water birth would not be an option, despite the great bathtubs, because not all midwives had the expertise and the hospital didn't have a policy supporting water birth. I was also concerned at the thought of birthing my baby aided by a midwife I might never have met before.

From my reading I was starting to realise that the best way to ensure that I could have a normal, physiological birth was to do it at home, with the support of an independent midwife who would care for me and my baby before, during and after the birth. At about 24 weeks pregnant I engaged an independent midwife and began to plan for homebirth. Fortunately my midwife was able to provide Shared Care with Birralee, so I maintained my Birralee booking in case I needed to transfer to hospital from home.


At the hospital I was offered the 20 week ultrasound but declined it because of the unknown effects ultrasound poses to an unborn baby and the cascade of interventions that can occur if something unexpected is detected. Doctors claim ultrasound is safe but there is no research that really proves this. Studies also show that despite the cascade of interventions that can occur, the outcome for the baby is often the same either way. It's staggering to consider that despite the conclusion of the Cochrane Collaboration that "no clear benefit in terms of substantive outcome measures like perinatal mortality can yet be discerned to result from routine use of ultrasound", in 1997 the Australian Federal Government paid out $39 million to subsidise pregnancy scans, compared to spending $54 million for all other Medicare obstetric costs (Buckley, S, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering).


I also declined Doppler ultrasound heartbeat checks. My independent midwife used a Pinard's stethoscope. While there was a Pinard on the shelf in the hospital consulting room, the hospital midwife said she didn't know how to use it, and said if I could feel the baby moving then it must have a heartbeat anyway. I also declined the Group B Strep swab, despite the hospital doctor muttering something into his desk about how sorry I'd be if my baby died.

My baby was only exposed to Doppler ultrasound during labour, when I agreed it was important to monitor my baby for fetal distress during contractions. I also avoided being offered unnecessary antibiotics by birthing at home, given that my waters broke 14 hours before the birth (the hospital apparently likes to give them after 6 hours).

At home in a space I could relax in, without unnecessary interruptions, and the aid of my midwife and a birth pool, I was able to give birth to my baby and her placenta without any need for pain relief drugs, ensuring the best start for me and my baby in terms of bonding and breastfeeding. My midwife also provided five postnatal visits over the week after the birth to ensure my baby and I were doing well, providing advice and reassurance, and saw us again at 6 weeks. Birthing at home with a known midwife who also provides follow-up care should be available to all women through the public health system.

"BaBs has given me a sense of belonging"

Petra Hoffmann

I am a recent immigrant to Australia, having moved here with my Australian husband and 9 weeks old first born son Cian. I had no connection with Australian maternity services at the time of our landing, and was unsure of how I would fit into the system. I had had a home birth with an independent midwife in the UK and was somewhat concerned that the main stream medical child health system in Australia would not best serve my needs.
An incredibly lucky coincidence resolved my concerns within the first months of our arrival in Australia. While my husband and I browsed a clothes store in Melbourne, with our son carried in a sling, we started to talk to another mother who also carried her infant in one. She invited us to a BaBs meeting in Box Hill, and Cian and I have been going to the meetings ever since. Even my husband attended a few times before he found a job here.
I found the mix of mothers of different backgrounds, some with one, some with six children from newborn (some still pregnant) to toddlers extremely stimulating. I was delighted to find women who shared my passion for breast feeding and natural parenting methods. The presence of midwives I frankly took as a luxury. In all, this meant that I could ask virtually any question and raise any concern surrounding pregnancy, birth and parenting in Australia. From finding a GP that shared our philosophies via borrowing strollers to arranging baby swimming lessons, I had a question for almost every meeting, and always found help.
But this only describes the practical side of BaBs. In moments when being an immigrant and first time mother, living crammed into the guest room in her mother-in-law's house, and with her relatives on the other side of the globe became tough, the value of the emotional support I experienced during the BaBs meetings was and is inestimable. We share worries and high points, and I have found much comfort and understanding there. I feel that I can always pick up the phone or email fellow BaBsers and help is just a couple of suburbs away. Sometimes it even extends across the network of the different Melbourne BaBs groups. In the six months that we have lived in Australia I have formed several friendships that extend well beyond the weekly BaBs meetings.
In both its "practical" and the "emotional" function, BaBs has given me a sense of belonging. We are seriously considering a second baby now. I hope I will then be one of the pregnant mothers with a toddler running around the room, welcoming new first timers into the group.

submission to maternity services review

We are working on the BaBs submission to this review. The questions that we would like to address are:

· What, if any, are key support services, including peer support which warrant national coverage?

· What is required to ensure the quality and consistency of key support services?

We wish to comment specifically on peer support in local communities, as we believe this is a key support service that is not currently available for most pregnant women and new mothers, and that this service deserves the support of government to enable national coverage.

We are asking mothers who have been involved in local BaBs groups to write a couple of paragraphs for our submission. Please tell the story (being honest) of who you are, why you went to babs, what babs provided for you, why you have continued involvement, why you think it would be good to have this model available in communities across Australia.

Your contributions can be emailed to joy@aitex.com.au, or info@babs.org.au

Macedon Ranges BaBs program Term 4

Monday 13th October 9:30-11:30am
Hospital or Home - choosing where to Birth...you do have a choice!
& the whys, whats and hows of making this important decision.


Monday 27th October 9:30-11:30am
Cloth v's Disposable - the great nappy debate...
& opting for neither - there is an alternative!!


Monday 10th November 9:30-11:30am
Breast feeding is best feeding
& a new approach to introducing solids
**Guest - Heather Steel - Australian Breastfeeding Association


Monday 27th November 9:30-11:30am
Gentle Parenting - A peaceful solution for co-operation without coercion
& respecting our children as humans
**Guest - Karen Visagie - Tuning into Kids


Monday 8th December 9:30-11:30am
Consumerism - the good, the bad & the ugly...
Top tips & toys for Christmas
**Guest - Melinda Bito - Eco Toys

A midwife will be in attendance at sessions where available.

As well as establishing a library of 'tried and tested' books and articles
& we hope to acquire a copy of the Rickii Lake DVD "The Business of Being Born"

Macedon Ranges BaBs (birthing and babies support) an initiative of Maternity Coalition & supported by Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

Macedon Ranges BaBs [macrangesbabs@yahoo.com.au]

New babs group at Wagga Wagga

Wagga Birthing and Babies Support Group provides information, education and peer support for pregnant couples and parents.

Childbirth educators, midwives and other health professionals with an interest in early parenting, as well as parents who are not expecting new babies, are encouraged to come along to share their knowledge and experiences.

Come along to our first monthly meeting, Tuesday 7 October
at Glenfield Community Centre, 10 Tanda Place, Glenfield, Wagga Wagga
10am-12 noon.
This meeting will be an open forum, so come along to listen and have your say!
For more information contact Niki on 0412 123 642 or Bernadette on 0429 430 285

An initiative of the Wagga Birth Choices Action Group, affiliated with the Maternity Coalition www.maternitycoalition.org.au

maternity services blog on Crikey

Justine Caines has written a Croakey blog 'Maternity Services Turf Wars have not helped women'.

Justine, a maternity consumer activist and past President of Maternity Coalition writes: "So far the consumer voice has not been heard. Instead, media has focussed on the turf war between the medical and midwifery professions. For many years, maternity services, and one could argue health per se, has been about doctors. Interestingly the use of medical staff, particularly specialists, is not necessary for the majority of women, nor is it supported by evidence."

This is an opportunity for consumer opinions to be shared, both at the Crikey site, and in the comments of this blog, and in responses to the Maternity Services Review.

A comment by Joy Johnston on the 'turf war' has been posted at Croakey and at midwivesVictoria blog

La Teta - to give the breast is to give life!

I have recently discovered this lovely video on Youtube and just couldn't help but share it! It is a Public Information Broadcast from Puerto Rico. Watch and enjoy!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=942FRjAJhxU

Erika's response to the Maternity Services Review

I welcome this review and would like to have my point of view considered.

I am a mother of 2, a doula for over 10 years, life coach, coordinator of BaBs - Birthing and Babies Support groups and a supportive member of Maternity Coalition. I feel passionate about seeing change in our maternity services that would enable real choice for the birthing women of Australia.

I find that the work I do as a doula illustrates the lack of support in the current maternity system:
# Couples gain clarity that they did not have before regarding the birth options available to them and the possible benefits and risks associated with each.
# Couples are guided more effectively in how to make an informed choice (and then encourage trust in themselves to speak up) in order for them to gain some sense of control of their choices and birth experience.
# Couples are seeking doula support so they will have some degree of continuity of care through their pregnancy and birth.
# Couples welcome the tangible support offered through meeting a woman's needs for physical support, emotional care and practical helpfulness at the labour and birth.

This kind of support I believe should be offered by the woman's care provider first and foremost, not from additional services which they have to pay for out of pocket.

I would like to see women of Australia to have affordable choice to birth in the hospital, birth centre (attached and separate to the hospital), home or community setting.

A good definition of informed choice is one in which:
- Accurate information is provided – the information presented is based on ‘state of the art’ knowledge.
- The specific points where choice is available are detailed and outlined.
- The advantages and disadvantages of the various options are given.
- Enough time is given for consideration of the physical and psychological implications of each choice.
- There is information included about any potential risks, flowing from specific decisions, presented in a sensitive, non-threatening manner.
- Crisis decisions – based on information which is unavailable to the parent(s) – are delegated to the medical attendants.
- Emotional support is available, regardless of the decision made.
- Evaluation is made to ensure that information is understood.

Many Ob's and GPs do not have or do not give the time to provide this kind of supporting service to the women they are caring for. The model where I see this most often is with one on one midwifery care at home births, 'Know Your Midwife' programs in hospitals and some team midwifery programs.

Best practice, statistical evidence, the WHO and many many positive stories from the women themselves illuminate the fact that government should expand the services of the midwives practice in the home, community and hospital setting.

I believe midwives would be helped by the government if they could:
* access Insurance
* be paid through the Medicare system
* maintain status as carer of their client when collaboration and consultation with other health professionals deems it as necessary
* be supported through fair legislation that reflects the rights of a midwife to practice her skill
* be suported with guidelines enabling more streamline collaboration and consultation with other health professionals when necessary
* provide additional necessary services???

As a tax payer I am frustrated that families are paying for health care in areas where substantial savings could be made with no greater risk to women and their families. In Maternity Services birthing families and tax payers are paying for specialist services before there is any proof of need for it. Midwives are experts in normal physiological childbirth and by their definition are the most appropriate health carers for birthing women. I believe the New Zealand model of Midwifery services offers a more appropriate structure that Australia could learn from, in addressing some of these issues.

Erika Munton

Birth Works - Birth Attendant/Life Coach
-----------------------------------------------------
www.birthworks.info
erikamunton@yahoo.com.au

questions for the maternity services review

The following questions have been posed by the Maternity Services Review, in the Discussion Paper from the Australian Government, Improving Maternity Services in Australia. Responses need to be submitted by 31st October 2008.
MiPP members are preparing a written response, and we would appreciate any comments from our blog readers. Please use the 'comments' function of the blog, or contact us by email. You are also encouraged to send your own responses, so that your voice counts in this review.

QUESTIONS:
(see Discussion Paper for more information)

• What models for maternity services for rural and remote communities are working well?
• What are the key elements to applying such models more broadly?
• What aspects of the Australian context are driving high intervention rates?
• What actions are required to address this?
• What, if any, are key support services, including peer support which warrant national coverage?
• What is required to ensure the quality and consistency of key support services?
• How is current Commonwealth funding targeted?
• What are the key professional development needs for the maternity workforce?
• How will models of workforce support vary in rural and urban settings?
• What are the potential areas for change to expand midwife-led care across antenatal, birthing and postnatal services?
• What are the existing effective models for midwife-led maternity services?
• What are the key workforce barriers to integrated models of care?
• What key infrastructure is needed?
• Are there any other issues the Review should consider?
  

The two questions that we are focusing on in the babs response to the maternity services review are the two on support, "including peer support". We will keep you informed as our drafting proceeds.

Rambles from Clota plus a few pix

Okay, well, someone has to to kick things off, so it may as well be me!

Today at BaBs Clota Cottage, we discussed putting in a response to the Government's Maternity Services Review. We talked about the support women need during pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period. It was great to hear women talk and discuss what is important *to them* during this important time in a woman and baby's life and for us to put in our "wish list" for a better future for women having babies in Australia. If anyone wants to be involved in helping draft this response, please contact me and we can get together a group to work on it!

We had a good turn out today, and we now break for 2 weeks for the school holidays, and return to Clota on the 8th of October. Sometime during the holidays Sif and I will get together to make up a schedule of topics for Term 4 - if anyone has any ideas or requests on topics they would like to see at Clota next term, please let me know either via the comments here, or phoning me.

Here are a few photos I took from the Inaugural BaBs Inc meeting last month. I am so excited and proud to be involved with such a fabulous group of women!

getting started

This is a practice blog so that anyone in babs can try your hand as a blogger - writing stuff that you want to share with other babs members and blog readers. The settings will allow 'permissions' for multiple authors.