Re: [ozmidwifery] newborn bath

[Barry & Sonja]

I work in an area with policies on how to conduct a normal birth.  Even an inservice coming up on "How to conduct a normal delivery!"   This is hysterical, admittedly I will not be attending.  To make it even better the "midwife" conducting the inservice believes that any babies born not on the bed will die!!!!  Her exact words were " you need to tell that woman that her baby will die if it is not delivered on the bed".  If I hadn't been so shocked I would have said something along the lines of mothers birth their babies and midwives assist them, no babies are delivered.  All the storks that used to deliver babies seem to have moved on to something else. Sonja    -- Original Message ----- From: Jenny Cameron To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 12:08 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] newborn bath Re NB Bathing.   For midwives we need to bear in mind the baby is covered in body fluids until after a bath. It is recommended that we observe universal precautions unitil after the baby is bathed.   For parents. Safety first. Some parents do like a 'step through'. It is good to ask first. Hospitals are intimidating and I have had mothers of 4 children ask me for a bath dem. What have we (society) done to these women? It is that general fear of 'doing it wrong', particularly in unfamiliar circumstances and on someone elses turf. I like emphasise that as long as it is safe there are no rules and regulations.   Sometimes I think we have too many policies and procedures. Some hospitals have policies or guidelines on how to manage a normal birth. Come on, midwives are educated. Same for the general public, they know how to wash themselves and  ten year olds can bath younger sibs. It is all about attitude.   Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM ProMid Professional Midwifery Education  Service 0419 528 717 ----- Original Message ----- From: Alesa Koziol To: ozmidwifery Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 3:52 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] newborn bath Dear List Updating policies at our workplace and seeking any written policies that can be shared on bathing newborns. I doubt if there is any but if anyone is aware of any written papers on this topic this would also be gratefully received Cheers Alesa   Alesa Koziol Clinical Midwifery Educator Melbourne