The following pic and article appear at the
website of Fran Bailey, Member for the Victorian seat of McEwen.
Birth choice important to mothers
Monday, 10 August 2009
Mothers in rural and regional areas should be allowed to give birth at home under new maternal health laws, said member for McEwen Fran Bailey after a meeting in Gisborne.
Fran met mothers from across the Macedon Ranges and adjoining regions concerned that the Federal Government was out of step with overseas acceptance of home birth.
"I believe that every women has the right to make an informed choice on where to give birth to their baby," Fran said.
"It is a tragedy that the maternal services review now before the Federal Government could deny mothers any choice.
"The real fear is that Australia is taken backwards in its attitudes to births in hospitals and in the home and this particularly disadvantages expectant mothers in our local communities."
Fran spoke with members of the Macedon Ranges Babs (Birthing and Babies Support) Group to hear their concerns about the Government’s plan on birth choices.
"These mothers and midwives are so passionate about being able to give birth at home, sometimes at great financial cost to themselves," Fran said.
"But without professional indemnity insurance for midwives and an acceptance by the Government that expectant mothers can choose to have a natural birth, there will be an even greater demand on the public health system."
Fran told the meeting that their concerns would be raised with the Government and Senators who will shortly consider legislation on maternal services.
A further meeting with mothers from the Yarra Ranges will be held in Healesville on Friday August 14
