Hi Nicole, Great to see you the other day - even though brief. About the hospital run homebirth service, I think that alot of the comments that are seen as negative are a reflection of the lack of faith consumers as well as midwives have in the hospital system. I think we all agree that Pat and Nicky are wonderful women centred midwives with alot of experience. The 'negative' comments, although may appear to be directed at them, actually are not, they are directed at the 'system'. We have a hospital system in this country that can't even serve the women who want to use them, with the majority of women (unless really strong and educated and well supported) suffering unnecessary intervention at the hands of overzealous obstetricians. Midwives hands are tied because of the hospital protocols under which they must operate or they fear losing their jobs. This has been described by some midwives on this list as a reality. I was ignorant to this for some time, having had homebirths myself and only knowing what other women had told me of their experience and treatment in the 'system'. Now as I support more and more women as their doula in hospitals I am appalled at what goes on. It must be the most incredibly frustrating job working as a hospital midwife and I applaud all who soldier on regardless. The reason a hospital run homebirth service concerns me is for the very reason that it is hospital run. I don't doubt that the midwives operating and working in the service all have the very best intentions and all advocate women centred care, however I have to question whether, to some extent their hands will also be tied with the fear of losing their jobs should a situation arise that an Independent midwife may see as within the normal realm but the protocols and guidelines of the hospital system see as abnormal. There are many many 'situations' during labour and birth where this is evident (even down to how often a midwife should listen to a baby's heart during labour, whether this is necessary after every contraction so the midwife has an idea of how the baby is coping or whether it is yet another unnecessary intervention the women is subjected to that may interrupt the rhythm of her labour) Of course we are all striving to achieve the same goal, real choices for women, publicly funded homebirth and one to one midwifery care. It is imperative that we get it right the first time round (for NSW) as this is most likely our only chance. So pleased you've joined the list Nicole - will catch you soon. Jo Hunter
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron & Nicole Christensen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 4:37 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Fwd: response from Pat and Nicky > Hi everyone, > As a newcomer to this mailing list, I haven't had the time to go through all > of the responses to the 'models of midwifery care' debate - but just merely > browsing through some of the e-mails - it perplexes me that there would be > so much negativity - even more so - when we have two VERY experienced, VERY > wise, VERY respected; VERY intuitive; VERY woman centred and VERY homebirth > orientated midwives who are at the forefront of developing such a model > inclusive of homebirth ..... that in itself will hold my faith, confidence > and belief in this model. > I would also have faith in the midwives who would be part of such a model - > to be woman/family centred and have a strong belief and love of birth as a > natural and normal family event ... I just cannot envisage a medically > minded midwife (which is contradictory in itself!) to be interested in being > a part of this - nor do I see Pat or Nicky allowing such a midwife on the > team. I do not believe that a homebirth midwife attached to a midwifery > model at a hospital would be any less passionate and loving as an > independent midwife - and yes, I too can see interest from independent > midwives who haven't practised since the indemnity crisis or from those who > need a bit more security - great!!! > Especially in the light of this ever increasing caesarean epidemic - I > embrace and praise this attempt to provide homebirths as part of a new > midwifery model. I know that it is something that I would absolutely use - > especially when the cost of an independant midwife rules our little one > income family out of that league (our recent homebirth was a loving gift). > I see it as a positive and exciting step forward in what is a very bleak and > dismal maternity service that currently exists. > I just hope that Pat and Nicky do not get so disheartened by the lack of > support, that they would consider forgetting about setting up the proposed > model. > We should all be saying Go Pat and Nicky!!! (I know I am!!!). > > kindest regards, > Nicole > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Andrea Robertson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 3:03 PM > Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fwd: response from Pat and Nicky > > > > > > >Subject: response from Pat and Nicky > > >Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 13:59:40 +1100 > > > > > >Dear Andrea > > > > > >Thank you for sending us the emails that have been circulating about the > > >proposed homebirth model at St George.We find much of the content > > >insulting and grossly ill informed. > > > > > >It is hard to imagine where the information has been collected from and > we > > >find it very sad that so much can be said about what is not yet formed in > > >any way. > > > > > >There is a meeting in a few weeks time and these views will be well > > >represented and discussed in a respectful and honourable manner. > > > > > >Please do not forward us any more emails. > > > > > >You may post this onto ozmidwifery > > > > > >Many thanks > > > > > >Pat Brodie & Nicky Leap > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- > ---- > > > > > > ----- > > Andrea Robertson > > Birth International * ACE Graphics * Associates in Childbirth Education > > > > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > web: www.birthinternational.com > > > > -- > 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.
