Hi Jo, Thanks for that - I understand your point - and although I share the same lack of faith in the hospital sytem - I have HUGE amounts of faith in Pat and Nicky. I do not believe that they would be a part of something that would compromise birthing women. Don't ask me how they will do this explicitely through the hospital system... but I just think if anyone can do it - THEY can!!! (I have seen stuffy obstetricians practically bow in Pat's presence - so I think that she can really use this respect as a very powerful tool). re. the negativity - I guess some of the e-mails sounded a little more attacking rather than open-minded and constructive - especially when there hasn't been a detailed document outlining the model as yet - it's all speculation. I feel very optimistic about publicly funded homebirth - especially in our present climate - and especially with Pat and Nicky in the driver's seat!!!
I also loved seeing you the other day - and I have been meaning to thank you SO VERY much for including our birth notice in your wonderful 'Birthings' magazine - we feel so incredibly honoured and proud! much love Nicole x x x x x x x x x ----- Original Message ----- From: jo hunter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 7:23 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Fwd: response from Pat and Nicky > 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. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. 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