Hi Andrea and all
Just put a letter together JC xx Labour Pain (SMH 6/9/04) Australian women do not have choice in maternity care or pain relief. Despite research that shows the considerable benefits of deep water immersion for pain relief, the vast majority Australian women are refused this. Why? Birth is part of an industry; Warm water is free and is not supported by specialists who¹s living depends on injecting women with narcotics or anaesthetics. It is astounding that women are denied the use of water, a safe and effective method of pain relief. Women spend 9 months avoiding any drugs and then when in labour are offered and sometimes pushed into a smorgasbord of drugs, particularly epidural that can result in paralysis and has been proven to result in many other interventions in birth (forceps and caesarean section). Until women have access to a full range of choice in maternity care, particularly the support of a known midwife, and effective natural pain management we cannot say what women really want. In fact such high usage of dangerous drugs suggests women are not receiving adequate support and education for such a life changing event. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
