Hi Jan and all:
I'll go back to Andrea's issue with the gas and
pethidine being on the menu why is this "* A
natural birth is encouraged with hot showers, baths and hot packs, but if you
want there is the gas or needle for pain (hard to believe this one!) offered in a birth centre?
marilyn
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 3:39
AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Birth
Centre
Hi Di
There was a Birth Centre Network NSW wholly funded
by NSW Health a few years ago, but not sure that it is still functional. I
can remember a concern of the network at the time that no women from
disadvantaged groups ever used the existing birth centres so a lovely little
pamphlet was designed and distributed (courtesy of NSW Health) that attempted
to define the birth centre concept and explain the advantages to women who
used them.
cover page was titled ...
Birthing Place for All
Women
pic of baby inserted here
BIRTH
CENTRES
inside was ....
What is a birth centre? *A
place to have your baby away from Labour Ward but still part of the
hospital *In a birth centre each room has a double bed, chair, curtains and
nice furnishings *The midwives of the birth centre will see you right
through your nate-natal care, labour and after birth *A doctor will be
called if problems arise *Medicare covers costs for birth centre
care
Why use a birth centre? *You have your baby your
way * It's a relaxed, friendly atmosphere * You can have your own
support - whoever you want * A natural birth is encouraged with hot
showers, baths and hot packs, but if you want there is the gas or needle for
pain (hard to believe this one!) * Cultrural practices are respected and
encouraged
Who can use a birth centre? Almost all women can
use a birth centre, but you may need to book in early
Who will I
see? Usually the midwives are female You may be able to have shared
care with a general pracftitioner, obstetrician or private midiwfe
People to talk to .... there followed the local birth
centres and Social work department contact detaiils as well as aboriginal
medical service.
Lots of work went into developing this pamphlet
and as far as I can remember no feedback data was ever collected or the
success of it's dissemination evaluated. Shame about that.
If you
really want a good definition of a Natural BIrth Centre - here is the one I
like best .........
A
Natural Birth Centre is/x-tad-bigger>/bigger>/bigger>/bigger> *
a safe, home-like place to have your baby. * managed by midwives who are
specialists in natural birth * for women who plan to have their baby
naturally. * located in (or near) a public maternity hospital that
facilitates medical referral if necessary
The Birth Centre midwives
provide care for low-risk women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and
afterwards. The Birth Centre education program aims to empower women and
their support people with a unique understanding of pregnancy and birth
knowledge that facilitates participation in decision making related to the
birth of their baby. /x-tad-bigger>/bigger>/bigger>/bigger>
I
don't think any of the so called Birth Centres can say they adhere to all the
above criteria. I would like to hear from any who think they do.
I
would like to see the development of Natural Birth Centres attached to each
and every public hospital in the country. There would need to be a transfer of
staff out into Community Midwifery programs ... The Community premises would
become the Natural Birth Centres of the future and the focal point for women
who wish to arrange for a home birth as well. Midwives who see their career
pathway as becoming specialist in natural births do not rotate through labour
and delivery suites and commit themselves to community services and forming
partnerships with women rather than be placed on the rotating roster within a
maternity unit.
This is something that needs discussion at national
level - perhaps put on the ACMI executive agenda.
Cheers Jan Jan
Robinson Independent Midwife Practitioner National Coordinator Australian
Society of Independent Midwives 8 Robin Crescent South Hurstville NSW 2221
Phone/Fax: 02 9546 4350 e-mail address: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
website: www.midwiferyeducation.com.au/smaller>/color> /center>On 16
Jan, 2005, at 10:43, Ken WArd wrote:
The
birth centre where I work offers midwife care throughout antenatal,
intrapartum and post natal. We encourage non-drug use in labour, but do have
gas and morphine. These are NEVER offered, and not given on first
ask. It is between the midwife the woman and her supports when drugs
are used, the vast majority do not even think about it. Nitros does
not affect her choice for a water birth, but morphine does, she can labour
in water. Iv therapy can be given to rehydrate if necessary, and
ceased once a litre has been given. We have research based policies, and are
therefore more liberal than delivery suite. eg 48 hours RM, 42 weeks
before induction, trans. to DS. No CTGs. Physiological 3rd stage
except for previous pph and 'at risk' such as prolonged second stage.
We inundate our clients with info, pros and cons, and encourage them to do
their own research. They are usually home in 24hrs. We are no
longer doing VBACs, due to obest.
intervention..
Maureen/smaller>/color>/fontfamily> -----Original
Message-----/smaller>/fontfamily> From:/smaller>/fontfamily>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Ofdiane/smaller>/fontfamily> Sent:/smaller>/fontfamily>Saturday,
15 January 2005 12:05 AM/smaller>/fontfamily> To:/smaller>/fontfamily>ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au/smaller>/fontfamily> Subject:/smaller>/fontfamily>[ozmidwifery]
Birth Centre/smaller>/fontfamily>
Ok,
ive outed myself now,/smaller>/fontfamily> I have
been lurking on this list, drawing upon the wisdom of all you beautiful,
passionate women, for some time now and I finally have a question./smaller>/fontfamily> What
is the accepted Australian definition of a "Birth Centre"? Is there one?/smaller>/fontfamily> Our
midwifery led, low risk unit offers team midwifery and hopefully soon,
caseload care. Our brand new unit is linked closely to the maternity ward
where we have only postnatal care./smaller>/fontfamily> We
have obstetricians available on call, and they have the ability to perform
an emergency c/s if needed./smaller>/fontfamily> We
would love to call our new unit, with it's big baths in all three birthing
rooms, a birth centre as this would help to demedicalise the concept and
help us bring our midwifery services to the local women and the community./smaller>/fontfamily> Any
thoughts?/smaller>/fontfamily> Di./smaller>/fontfamily>
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