Re: midwifery resolution

[TinaPettigrew]

In a message dated 16/01/02 4:36:49 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:


I began mine with "..oh did anyone catch the story of the woman yesterday who was drugged, starved, strapped down, had her vagina repeatedly invaded, she was mutilated, objects inserted into her AND to make things worse she was 9 months pregnant!!!"  everyone was up in arms and really upset by this.  Then I told them that it happens in labour rooms everyday and nobody considers this abuse??  Infact we often passivley allow it to happen.

Well said Jo !!!

I've used similar examples in my work with women and it is very powerful. It makes them sit up and really take notice of what it is your trying to convey to them Re: lack of consent, violation, and rape !! Time and time again I've used this abstract 'story telling' as a teaching tool - then projected the same 'story' into the context of birthing and POW !  

Yours in birth,

Tina Pettigrew
Birthworks
Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife.
Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

" As we trust the flowers to open to new life
   - So we can trust birth"
Harriette Hartigan.
--- 

midwifery resolution

[Dean & Jo Bainbridge]

I agree that the lack of understanding of even who 
the midwife is is wide spread.  I agree that the more women know about the 
benefits of midwifetry based care the more can start demanding them.  

I am also aware of the lack of support and 
understanding from the community for those women who after becoming educated are 
left emotionally damaged (so to speak).
Perhaps another avenue would be to also try and get 
the option of midwifery led care increased in the private sector?  Many 
women take out private insurance solely for the births of their children.  
The options of care is singular -ob in the private sector.   Perhaps 
we could sell the benefits of mw led care lower interevntions thus lower costs 
to them the insurance companies.  It has always baffled me that if I had 
car insurance but lived in a high risk area then my insurance would cost more; 
why is it that the health insurance companies do not investigate the massive 
difference between intervention rates (thus increased costs -longer stays 
etc) between public and private births?
I am unsure how this would work with the midwifery 
insurance problem though.  I am also unaware of the politics involved with 
private hospitals.
 
I am not citicising informing women of the greener 
grass at all; I am contiually trying to think of 'under the radar' ways to sell 
the benefits of less medical births.
 
  Maybe we should get involved with feminist 
groups at universities and enlighten them and get the reality of what happens in 
the birthing room out there.  I am continually amazed at how young 
intellegent women whom I have met through gender studies courses and so forth, 
have very little understanding about child birth.  they think it is yucky 
because it ruins your sex life and changes you "down there" (some of the things 
that have been discussed in some of my classes).  They dont seem to realise 
that the episiotomy is commonly preformed for male convienece!  Surely that 
is something for these women to get up in arms about.  The feminists have 
always been willing to jump up and down about the rights over their own bodies, 
but after they leave uni and get jobs they are in the highest group for private 
insurance, older births and higher interventions.  the rights over their 
bodies only seem to stem to their demands for the cs...why is that?
I did a talk at uni last year that followed a talk 
on rape.  I began mine with "..oh did anyone catch the story of the woman 
yesterday who was drugged, starved, strapped down, had her vagina repeatedly 
invaded, she was mutilated, objects inserted into her AND to make things worse 
she was 9 months pregnant!!!"  everyone was up in arms and really upset by 
this.  Then I told them that it happens in labour rooms everyday and nobody 
considers this abuse??  Infact we often passivley allow it to 
happen.
It got them thinking.
Any thoughts??
Jo Bainbridgefounding member CARES SAemail: 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]phone: 
08 8365 7059birth with trust, faith & love...

further to the 12 hour shift

[Greg Barbara Cook]

To all, 
I hope this email doesn't result in more hate mail and virus 
poisoned posts which seems to occur when one posts differing views on this list 
but in view of Judy's posting of my initial reply I felt it was also necessary 
to post my response to balance the debate and I have also asked some other 
questions
 
To the aspiring midwives who inquire about pay rates may I 
humbly suggest contacting the various registration boards and the associated 
state, dare I say it, Nursing unions around Australia to see exactly where 
'they' view direct entry midwives in relation to pay scales, employment 
opportunities and accountability. Sorry but that's the system in place at 
present.
I have heard whispers from some noted quarters 'not on par 
with registered nurse/midwife but along with enrolled nurse level'  which 
is rather unkind. 
 
As various nursing/midwives conference motion agenda items are 
being prepared may I also suggest midwives specifically direct any midwifery 
related agenda items to be discussed  at the next conference start 
submitting to the local branch of QNU and associated unions. Get 
involved!
One I have already submitted through our local QNU branch is 
along the lines that graduate midwives be supported in the post graduate year 
similar to what Queensland Health presently offers graduate nurses. Presently 
here in the SE Qld we have produced excellent graduate midwives but alas they 
are having trouble gaining employment in metropolitan hospitals which provides 
supported practice and instead are re-entering nursing or working in rural areas 
without support with mid clients few and far between. 
Cheers Barb
 
 
To: "Judy Chapman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Subject: Re: 
12 hour shiftsDate: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 16:19:22 +1000Judy,No 
problems there Judy because its the "on call" status after their 8 hour 
shift which is allowable in the award. However, these midwives will have to 
be careful fatigue doesn't come into their practice because there is no 
protection for them from the QNC.When you described 12 hour shifts 
(without the on call factor) on ozmidwifery I knew it was not possible in 
QLD. Could you please correct this fact on the list before other unionised 
participants on the list expire?How many times does the on call midwife 
get 'called' in? Do the midwives prefer this system? The reason why I am 
asking is I am the only practicing midwife on the Industrial Policy 
committee of the QNU which has looked at several applications for 12 hour 
shifts in many areas but each QNU conference the submissions get voted down 
by members. We are currently reviewing a submission made last conference 
where after working 12 hours or more nurse/midwives will be required to have 
a full 24 hours off to prevent fatigue. What is your opinion of 
this?Recently, I saw an application to the SBU that QH wanted to close the 
McKay birthing teams project as quote 'it wasn't meeting clients needs'. Do 
you know anything about that?
 

Re: A question about NZ midwifery

[Denise Hynd]

Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Contact the NZ college of midwiives thru their web site 
http://www.midwife.org.nz/index.cfm

Denise Hynd
- Original Message - 
From: "Jayne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 6:46 AM
Subject: Fw: A question about NZ midwifery


> Could anyone help with this query? 
> 
> TIA
> 
> Jayne
> 
> 
> 
> > Maori Midwives in New Zealand
> > From: Shabd Simran  Khalsa-Baldwin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > 
> > I am in search of information about or contacts for Maori
> > Midwives in New Zealand. I am moving a city in small city in
> > new Zealand called Dunedin at the end of January and am
> > hoping to get involved with the Midwives of the area. I am
> > currently a Doula and a midwifery student, I would of course
> > love to find an apprenticeship while I am there but most of
> > all I hope to find a contact person who can give me some
> > direction and info about the scene there. If anyone has
> > ideas or information for me it would be much appreciated.
> > Please contact me by email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by
> > phone at 541-485-6267
> > 
> > 
> 
> --
> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.

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Re: Midwifery Resolution

[Denise Hynd]

Dear Jo
I am saying I see that there is a general need to 
educate women's groups and ohther community groups about the 
comparative risks and benefits of our current maternity service and a woman 
centred system where women have equal access to midwifery care TO GAIN THEIR AND 
general support in demanding such a service!I think that no matter 
what happens there are many women who will never acknowledge their part and the 
risks that they and their infants ran in taking the intervention partciularly 
the social caesarian path.
Therefore there will also be women who have trouble coming to terms with 
their birth and some who will continue to advocate Elective ceasars as safe 
regardless.
 
 
But having read about the history of midwifery in 
NZ and spoken with Kiwi women I see the loss of knowledge of natural child birth 
and homebirth as a mainstream option is greater here in Australia than was in NZ 
prior to their gaining the legislative changes that gave NZ universal access to 
midwives.
 
Therefore to gain the necessary ground 
swell for Australain women to gain universal equal access there is a 
need for increased exposure to the benefits and safety of midwifery care to 
counter the general acceptance of medical intervention in childbirth as normal 
and safe!!Denise 
 
 
- Original Message - 

  From: 
  Dean 
  & Jo Bainbridge 
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 10:35 
  AM
  Subject: Midwifery Resolution 
  
  "we need also to get out and talk to the mothers of whatcould have 
  and should be!!"
  I have found through talkng to women whom have had cs and told that "if 
  they didnt their baby would have died" (when  in fact it is highly likely 
  that that may not have been the case...)  they whole heartedly believe 
  because they cant not bring them selves to believe that those who are meant to 
  help us may actually have  their own interests at heart other than the 
  woman's.  If women are told that they may have been subject of F.O.L. 
  (fear of litigation) rather than F.T.P.  or worse, that the fetal 
  distress that required the cs was actually cause because of being  made 
  to lie on their back to be monitored (due to hospital plicy) etc.  Then 
  you HAVE to ensure that there is a support for these women after they become 
  'enlightened'.  
  The danger is removing the ignorance wich is bliss and then leaving women 
  to get through it themselves.  You can not go back in time and do things 
  differently and this is something that can cause a great deal of emotional 
  trauma.  
  I understand how frustrating it is when we hear those women say " but I 
  cant have the baby if the doctors not there!"  (check out one of the 
  'quality' current affairs programs about a woman who gave birth in a car park 
  because there was no doctor avaliable...were there no midwives???  This 
  is/was going to air this week.  It is only going to perpetuate the myth 
  that it cant be done without the doctor.)  
  I have no answers.  I am as frustrated as you.  When I 
  tell my birth story (my third bub) people say "oh, you were apart of the 
  minority: -6 hour labour, intact peri, breathed baby out, no drugs etc... In 
  fact an Australian study had only 9 women out of 242 gave birth with NO 
  MEDICAL PROCEDURES used during labour/birth.  
  3.7%   Compared with the general stat of about 
  25% being cs, then those who do give birth natuarlly are 
  the minority.
  The problem is that we all know that this shouldnt necessarrily be the 
  case, and that if women stopped placing their trust and the entire 
  responsiblity on the profession who are going to do what they have been 
  trainned to do...interevene, then it is not going to change.  
  We all know that this government will not see midwifery on an equally 
  respect level as ob; so all we can do is keep pushing. 
  Women are being used and manipulated by society, peers, fears, 
  television, lawyers, I could go on  they are losing their ability to 
  birth naturally both physically (by this I mean the change in lifestyles has 
  resulted in more OP presenting bubs for example) and also EMOTIONALLY.  
  
  I think all I am saying is that if we are going to educate women to how 
  their births should/could be then we have to be responsible to those who have 
  been left feeling betrayed.  Betrayal can cause a great deal of 
  psychological problems.  Women as mothers are isolated enough in this 
  society.
  Jo Bainbridgefounding member CARES 
  SAemail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]phone: 08 
  8365 7059birth with trust, faith & 
love...

MIDWIFERY DISCUSSION GROUP - MELBOURNE

[Johnston]

Reminder - as advertised in Birth Matters:

Date:   Friday 1 February, 7pm for start at 7.30pm
Topic: 'THE SYSTEM': SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR MOTHERS AND MIDWIVES
At: Johnstons' home
25 Eley Rd Blackburn South (Melway Map 61 G5)
Tel: 03 9808 9614

All welcome

RE: FW: request for protocols

[Johnston]

Dear list
A couple of weeks ago I forwarded this message.  I haven't seen any 
response.  I have to assume that either noone is interested or noone has 
time to respond.  (I have attended 2 wonderful women for homebirths since 
then, so have been a bit caught up myself.)

I don't want to let this one go.  A service needs to have statements that 
describe what is to be expected in a particular situation - ie policies, 
procedures, protocols. If  a midwife (or other health professional) works 
for a service (eg hospital) they are required to work within the policies 
and procedures (protocols) of that institution.  That does not mean 
slavishly *doing* things to the customer (patient), as nothing (other than 
potentially lifesaving first aid) can be done without the consent of the 
person it is being done to.  The midwife has the opportunity to explain a 
protocol (such as taking standard observations of temp, pulse, blood 
pressure, abdominal palpation and fetal heart rate), and ask permission to 
do this.

There is a statement in the Vic Code of Practice for midwives that "Each 
midwife has the professional responsibility to identify policies, 
procedures, or practices that are restrictive and/or detrimental to the 
standard of midwifery practice and woman-centred care.  In identifying 
these issues, midwives must act to ensure that they are brought to the 
attention of the relevant authority."

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF ANY HOSPITALS HAVE DEALT WITH SUCH CHALLENGES?  What 
are midwives doing about this?  If there was a complaint that a midwife had 
not followed hospital procedure, it would be good for the midwife's defence 
if she/he could show that the woman refused the procedure, and that the 
midwife had requested that the hospital review the protocol in the light of 
evidence.

Any comment please?

Joy Johnston
25 Eley Rd  Blackburn South Vic  3130
Tel:03 9808 9614
Fax:03 9808 3611
M:  04111 90448
www.aitex.com.au/joy.htm


Previous message:

This request for a hospital protocol for care in first stage of labour has 
come to me from India.

Many people on the list have voiced objections to 'restrictive' and 
'medical' hospital practices.  Would anyone care to suggest what should be 
included in a woman-centred, evidence based protocol?  The inquirer would 
appreciate the literature on which such a protocol is based, and I am sure 
the ozmidwyves would appreciate being included in the discussion.
Many thanks
Joy Johnston

-Original Message-
From:   aileen mathias [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent:   Sunday, January 06, 2002 5:05 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject:reply

Dear madam Johnston,
I am a M.Sc nursing student at Fr. Muller's college of nursing, India. I 
would like to use the protocol for my research  studies.  Problem statement 
is ;  Development of protocols on Nursing care of women in first stage of 
labour in a selected hospital in Mangalore.
I will be glad if you can help me by sending your material the way you went 
about, the review of literature, need for the study, and background of the 
study etc.
Here in India the development of protocol is not yet began since the people 
are educated and problem of consumer protection act our midwifery cntre 
Hospital, decided to develop a protocol in the labour room. So i would like 
to do on 1st stage of labour. Kindly if you know anybody who has done the 
study on protocol send their e-mail address or thier abstarct and 
litratures. Fr. Muller's is one of the big hospitals in South India. I 
would be grateful to you if you can send me the material.
Thanking you,
Sr.Aileen.


Looking for a job?  Visit Yahoo! India Careers
Visit http://in.careers.yahoo.com

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re: homebirth conference

[Tom, Tania and Sam Smallwood]

Hi Belinda,
 
I'll be going to the homebirth conference, with hubby and 2 
chilluns in tow!  We plan to fly over on the Fri morning, hire a car, and 
then fly back Monday sometime, could look into hiring a larger people-mover if 
there are others interested in sharing that leg of the journey.  Let us 
know!  Look forward to meeting you there.
 
Tania

12 hour shifts

[Judy Chapman]

Hi Barb,

   I am not sure how they do the 12 hour shifts and the QNU but they 
must have negotiated it when they started. They began under the ABS 
agreements I think (before my time).

   They are rostered either a D or N. Mon to Fri they actually work 
0800 to 1630 and the one who is on call for that shift does any labourers 
till 2000 when the N call person takes over. All their nights and weekend 
work are actually call shifts so if no one in, no one working. That is why 
the N person needs to come in and help with the clinic during the week 
unless they have worked all night and are sleeping. They are paid a salary 
and have to even their hours up
eventually, can't get  too far in credit or debt.

   Hope this helps,

   Judy

   From: "Greg Barbara Cook"
   To: "Judy Chapman"
   Subject: Re: 12 hour shifts
   Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 07:04:08 +1000
How can that be when the QNU and the Industrial Commission guidelines are 
very explicit. Only one hospital, Nambour has the QNU and the Industrial 
Commission approval for a 12 hour trial in its ICU. Is this an illegal 
process or is it part of the salary averaging which has IC & QNU approval 
for the birth centre staff. If it is rostered 12 hour shifts It shouldn't be 
as it exposes us to incredible fatigue issues such as potentially horrific 
mistakes.
   Cheers Barb

_
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Fw: A question about NZ midwifery

[Jayne]

Could anyone help with this query? 

TIA

Jayne



> Maori Midwives in New Zealand
> From: Shabd Simran  Khalsa-Baldwin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> 
> I am in search of information about or contacts for Maori
> Midwives in New Zealand. I am moving a city in small city in
> new Zealand called Dunedin at the end of January and am
> hoping to get involved with the Midwives of the area. I am
> currently a Doula and a midwifery student, I would of course
> love to find an apprenticeship while I am there but most of
> all I hope to find a contact person who can give me some
> direction and info about the scene there. If anyone has
> ideas or information for me it would be much appreciated.
> Please contact me by email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by
> phone at 541-485-6267
> 
> 

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faith in the system

[Dean & Jo Bainbridge]

I suppose we all hope and/assume we are going to be 
looked after by the system and get high quality care.  It is unthinkable 
that this might not bethe case for some (dare I say most??)   I 
suppose it is the same when we go to a restuarantwe cant bring our selves to 
think that the cook may not have washed their hands or dropped something on the 
ground and then continue using it!  I have a few friends who work in the 
resturant industry and they say that what goes on behind the scenes would make 
you want to eat at home forever!  Scarry thought!
Jo Bainbridgefounding member CARES SAemail: 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]phone: 
08 8365 7059birth with trust, faith & love...

Talking to women

[barbara glare & chris bright]

Hi, everyone,

"we need also to get out and talk to the mothers of what
could have and should be!!"

I agree, but have a hard time discussing this with women, especially if they
accept their current situation.  A friend of mine is due to have her 3rd
caesarean soon.  When I asked about it she looked at me as though I'd gone
mad, and said "Well they don't give you a choice after the first"  And to
allintents and purposes that's true around here.  And many women seem to not
want a choice.

I talk at every opportunity about my children's births, especially my
beautiful girl's birth at home, but mostly that just puts me firmly on "the
looney fringe" (which is why I need to hang out on ozmid) Or that I'm lcuky
or just one of those earth mother types anyway.

I work as a Lactation consultant, and rarely ever see an unmedicated birth.
In fact many mothers when asked, will initially say that they didn't have a
medicated birth (Oh, except for that one shot of pethadine.  And then there
was the epidural...)  Many can't remember if they held or fed their baby
straight after birth.

Love, Barb

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Re: Intro & Conference

[Karen Radcliff]

Hi Nikki,
Take a look at the Homebirth Access Sydney website: 
 http://homebirthaccesssydney.com.au/main.html  They're sponsoring the 
conference, and have registration and other information there on the site.

Karen Radcliff

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Re: Midwifery Resolution

[Mary Murphy]

What a thought provoking email!  I agree with your sentiments and feel 
that above all we must be compasionate.  Ultimately the woman has to grow 
to a point where she can forgive herself for allowing herself to be betrayed, 
otherwise she has to keep doing what she did before, returning to the same OB 
for more of the same treatment.  It's a bit like women who bottle feed the 
first baby and then feel guilty for the lack of help she got and the 
misinformation given her.  I don't know the answer, but supporting women so 
they can  recover is very much part of the whole problem/answer.  
Regards, Mary Murphy

  - Original Message - 
  From: 
  Dean 
  & Jo Bainbridge 
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  
  Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 10:35 
  AM
  Subject: Midwifery Resolution 
  
  "we need also to get out and talk to the mothers of whatcould have 
  and should be!!"
  I have found through talkng to women whom have had cs and told that "if 
  they didnt their baby would have died" (when  in fact it is highly likely 
  that that may not have been the case...)  they whole heartedly believe 
  because they cant not bring them selves to believe that those who are meant to 
  help us may actually have  their own interests at heart other than the 
  woman's.  If women are told that they may have been subject of F.O.L. 
  (fear of litigation) rather than F.T.P.  or worse, that the fetal 
  distress that required the cs was actually cause because of being  made 
  to lie on their back to be monitored (due to hospital plicy) etc.  Then 
  you HAVE to ensure that there is a support for these women after they become 
  'enlightened'.  
  The danger is removing the ignorance wich is bliss and then leaving women 
  to get through it themselves.  You can not go back in time and do things 
  differently and this is something that can cause a great deal of emotional 
  trauma.  
  I understand how frustrating it is when we hear those women say " but I 
  cant have the baby if the doctors not there!"  (check out one of the 
  'quality' current affairs programs about a woman who gave birth in a car park 
  because there was no doctor avaliable...were there no midwives???  This 
  is/was going to air this week.  It is only going to perpetuate the myth 
  that it cant be done without the doctor.)  
  I have no answers.  I am as frustrated as you.  When I 
  tell my birth story (my third bub) people say "oh, you were apart of the 
  minority: -6 hour labour, intact peri, breathed baby out, no drugs etc... In 
  fact an Australian study had only 9 women out of 242 gave birth with NO 
  MEDICAL PROCEDURES used during labour/birth.  
  3.7%   Compared with the general stat of about 
  25% being cs, then those who do give birth natuarlly are 
  the minority.
  The problem is that we all know that this shouldnt necessarrily be the 
  case, and that if women stopped placing their trust and the entire 
  responsiblity on the profession who are going to do what they have been 
  trainned to do...interevene, then it is not going to change.  
  We all know that this government will not see midwifery on an equally 
  respect level as ob; so all we can do is keep pushing. 
  Women are being used and manipulated by society, peers, fears, 
  television, lawyers, I could go on  they are losing their ability to 
  birth naturally both physically (by this I mean the change in lifestyles has 
  resulted in more OP presenting bubs for example) and also EMOTIONALLY.  
  
  I think all I am saying is that if we are going to educate women to how 
  their births should/could be then we have to be responsible to those who have 
  been left feeling betrayed.  Betrayal can cause a great deal of 
  psychological problems.  Women as mothers are isolated enough in this 
  society.
  Jo Bainbridgefounding member CARES 
  SAemail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]phone: 08 
  8365 7059birth with trust, faith & 
love...

Re: PI In

[leighmidwife]

Hi Jan
No I don't have insurance and am still practising. Regards. Leigh
> 
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: PI In
> Date: 15/01/2002 7:29:11
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> 
>  Happy New Year to all midwives, would those in PRIVATE PRACTISE  share with me how 
>they are going with insurance.
>  Have YOU got it? 
>  Is IT COMING?
>  DID ANYONE GET A COVER NOTE?
>  AND IF SO HOW ?
> Has anyone stopped working?
>  Desperate Jan
> 
> 

This message was sent through MyMail http://www.mymail.com.au





 Happy New Year to all midwives, would those 
in PRIVATE PRACTISE  share with me how they are going with 
insurance.
 Have YOU got it? 
 Is IT COMING?
 DID ANYONE GET A COVER NOTE?
 AND IF SO HOW ?
Has anyone stopped working?
 Desperate Jan

Take two - Letter to the Editor Canberra Times

[TinaPettigrew]

Hi all,

due to the strict instructions on letters submitted for publication at the CT - I have had to rejig the previous letter to the editor to less than 350 words !!!
So here is the abridged version resubmitted !!
Yours in birth,

Tina Pettigrew
Birthworks
Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife.
Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

" As we trust the flowers to open to new life
   - So we can trust birth"
Harriette Hartigan.
--- 

To the Editor, CT.

I write on behalf of members of the Australian Bachelor of Midwifery Student collective, in response to the article 'Obstetrician fed up with the hostility' (CT 12/0102) in which retiring Canberra Obstetrician and Chair of the ACT Medical Board, Dr. Heather Munro, suggests that, graduates of the 3 year undergraduate midwifery education program, (Bachelor of Midwifery), will be under-skilled and require nursing in order to recognise sickness and ill-health in pregnant and birthing women. 

Dr Munro's suggestion is totally unfounded and demonstrates a gross 
misunderstanding of what constitutes Bachelor of Midwifery (B Mid) Education. As aspiring B Mid midwives, we strongly object to Dr Munro's inference that as B Mid graduates, we will somehow be deficient in certain aspects of our knowledge and skills because we are not nurses! 

The UK and New Zealand has for many years prepared the majority of their midwives via three and four year midwifery education programs. Other countries such as the Netherlands, France, Demark, Germany and Sweden, have always educated their midwives 'directly' as opposed to 'indirectly' via nursing and boast the highest of practice standards and report the lowest clinical outcomes in terms of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in the world. Evaluations of these comprehensive three and four year midwifery programs shows that B Mid graduates are confident and competent midwives and when compared with their nurse-midwife peers educated via post-registration (nursing) programs, posses similar academic and practice standards. In New Zealand, all one-year post-registration (nursing) programs have now ceased in favour of the three-year Bachelor of Midwifery education programs - a move initiated by nurses themselves who considered their one-year midwifery program to be inad!
!
equate!!

As members of the Australian Bachelor of Midwifery Student Collective, we implore those who share Dr. Munro's sentiments and do not support the introduction of B Mid education programs, to please educate themselves and others as to the actuality of the B Mid so as to not perpetuate such myths, and to contribute to open, honest and constructive dialogue, in a spirit of discovery, sensitivity and respect for the benefit of all concerned.

Yours sincerely,
Tina Pettigrew,
Prospective B Mid Student, 
Convenor, Australian Bachelor of Midwifery Student Collective.

30 William Street 
Leopold, Vic. 3224.
(03) 52503065

Intro & Conference

[Nikki Macfarlane]

First of all a quick intro to the list. I am living in Singapore and working
here as a doula & childbirth educator. Originally from NZ, I lived in Sydney
for 10 years before moving to the UK for 10 years. As well as my doula work
I am training women to become doulas and childbirth educators and also
studying for my Bach of Nursing at James Cook in Townsville. Doing my
nursing by distance - bit of a challenge but managing to stay on top of it -
just! Am now halfway through my second year (studying part time so taking 6
years overall) and planning to continue with midwifery once finished with
ambitions of having my own practice. Can't really see myself working in a
hospital environment! On a personal note have had 3 kids - one a waterbirth
and one a homebirth - all in the UK and with 100% midwifery care.

I have read a little about the Homebirth Conference in the Blue Mountains in
March. I am going to be in Australia for residentials and placements at that
time and seriously considering flying down for the conference the weekend it
is on if I have the weekend off. Is there a website where I can find out
more about the agenda for the conference and does anyone know if it is still
possible to go or is it all sold out? I read it is in the Blue Mountains -
where exactly does anyone know? My brother lives in East Kurrajong so pretty
close for me to get to hopefully!

Nikki Macfarlane
Singapore
www.parentlink.org

ps. Is Doon Smith or a midwife called Robyn who knew Billi Gaven on the
list?


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