Hi, Paivi,
I for one would be very interested in an exchange program. As a student we
have very little access to any other form of midwifery other than that
practised at the hospital we are placed with. It would be wonderful to be
able to broaden one's knowledge with first-hand experience of other ways of
doing.
Regards, Gail
From: Päivi Laukkanen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au>
Subject: [ozmidwifery] midwifery exchange
Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 22:54:26 +0300
Hi all,
I am having preliminary thoughts about starting some kind of sponsorship
program for midwifery exchange. Earlier this year I met a Finnish
obstetrician, who only does gynegology and homebirths at the moment. ( Only
4-6 homebirths / year. We only have some 20 homebirths in our country..)
Every year she travels to Holland to spend time with the local midwives.
She said she needs this to boost her confidence and get inspiration for
what she does. After this I have been wondering if I could start to sponsor
(trough my maternity business) one midwife or midwifery student every year
to travel somewhere for 2 weeks or 2 months to see how women labor and give
birth in the non-medicaliced environment and care. This could be spending
time with a homemidwife or maybe at a birthing centre or even both. If
there happened to be some great homebirth conference around the time,
wouldn't that be perfect for her. I think going to Holland the language
might be bit of a problem, but US, UK or Australia would be great, since
most people do speak good english.
Has anyone heard of programs like this?
Are there some legal issues, I should worry about?
Do you think there would be homebirth midwives or birth centres in
Australia, which would take exchangees like this?
What would be a good length for the stay?
Do you think the exchange midwife could stay at the hosting midwife's home
or would she need an apartment?
Would it be better if two midwives from same unit would go, so they could
share their experience and maybe be stronger to change things once they
return home?
What kind of a payment you feel the hosting midwife would want for this
time?
Almost twenty years ago I spent a year in Adelaide as a Rotary Exchange
student. I lived with the local families and attended high school. I must
say it was one of the best years in my life and it had a huge impact on my
later life. It was great to learn so much about a different culture by
living with these families. I am still very close to the people I stayed
with and consider them my family. Have been back five times since then =).
I am just thinking how much this experinece could change one midwife's
views and practise...
Please share any thoughts you have about this.
Regards,
Päivi Laukkanen
Childbirth Educator
Finland
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