Re: [ozmidwifery] Today in Parliament...

2003-02-26 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I too am appalled by Kirsty being  thrown out of 

parliament, However, it was really great to see breastfeeding on the prime time 

commercial television news!!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] why amniocentesis

2003-01-21 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And to add to this the Midwife is the handmaiden 

during these procedures adding to the argument? that doctor knows 

best.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Love Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] New to the group with lots of questions!

2003-01-21 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Rachel, </FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Best bet is to phone the uni that you wish to apply 

to and find out which subjects they prefer as previous learning.&nbsp; Other 

ideas is to ring the Queensland university admissions centre, ( not sure what it 

is called up there) but most applicants apply through one of these 

centres.&nbsp; However, before you do either, find out if any of the unis are 

going to bring in a Bach of Midwifery course.&nbsp; Not only am I jealous of 

those doing this marvellous course in Vic and SA, but it will save you 1 whole 

year of uni and quite possibly $5000 in HECS fees.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All the best in your search</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] Homebirth Story

2003-01-19 Thread Barry MacGregor 
If you work in a big tertiary teaching hospital you will find that if the
women don't ask for the ultrasound, synto etc, the doctors will ( for
practice you know) and the women will think that it is just great.
Sonja


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Re: [ozmidwifery] place of birth and outcome[long]

2003-01-13 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Marilyn!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am in reverse, currently working in a hospital 

(ie obstetric nurse) and wish dearly to have a job in birth centre or as an 

independent midwife.&nbsp; Problem is need experience!&nbsp; Can't get it if you 

don' t work in it.&nbsp; As a newly graduated midwife it is even more difficult 

because you don't even have enough labour ward experience.&nbsp; Bring on the 

NMAP and more midwifery models of care so that we can all work in areas that we 

wish to.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Love Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

[ozmidwifery] ultrasounds.

2003-01-12 Thread Barry MacGregor 



Dear all!
I am very happy to report that more and more women 
are questioning repeated ultrasounds and asking doctors if it is safe to have 
them.  Naturally, the doctors say " of course it is safe" and then do the 
just another neurotic woman eye roll.  Wonderful though that these women 
stand up for themselves, sad though that some midwives advocate the use of 
multiple ultrasounds and also state that they are safe.  However, with more 
assertive women the opportunity for midwifery lead care seems brighter, just a 
shame about those obstetric nurses, may they not be our downfall.
Love Sonja

Re: [ozmidwifery] DISHEARTENED ANGRY AND ASHAMED

2003-01-05 Thread Barry MacGregor 
Ahh Sue!
Crying my eyes out here as I try to type this reply.  I too have seen this
type of behaviour from midwives and am always astounded.  Currently, I am
looking for another position in a different hospital as the one I am
currently working in seems to only employ these midwives in their delivery
suite.  The postnatal and antenatal midwives are exceptional however.  I
find that I am constantly questioning behaviour and actions without ever
getting a suitable answer and often getting the eye roll!!!  I too have
thought that maybe this is too much and that I will retrain myself to be a
farmer.  Very sad to think that we are loosing one of the good ones.  I hope
that you enjoy this next chapter in your life.
Lots of Love Sonja


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Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw: exhaustion and elation

2002-12-17 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Me too!!!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] Ruptured Uterus

2002-12-12 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks Jan</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This lady probably had an epidural, they are very 

common where I work didn't think about the whole epidural, can't feel a thing 

business</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] Ruptured Uterus

2002-12-12 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks Debby</FONT></DIV>

<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] RemunerationOf Mid or NursePractinioners?

2002-12-11 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Denise</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Apparently at Camden the midwives were paid 

according to their "grade".&nbsp; For example a 1st year RN midwife is paid 1st 

year rates and a CNS was paid their rate.&nbsp; The pay scales are roughly 

$16.80 an hour for 1st year and increase by about $1 an hour for each up to 8th 

year and CNS's get about $25 an hour.&nbsp; This is only a rough guesstimate of 

rates.&nbsp; At Camden they had both Midwives and CNS's, don't think they had 

any CNC's though.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hope this helps a little&nbsp; For accurate rates 

of pay you would need to contact the Nurses Association.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

[ozmidwifery] Ruptured Uterus

2002-12-11 Thread Barry MacGregor 



Could someone please enlighten me on how does one 
end up with a ruptured uterus during an induction of labour.   How can 
this happen if you palp contractions etc.
Interesting things happen in these "we're a high 
risk unit you know" hospitals
Regards Sonja
new midwife that is still apparently 
"green"

Re: [ozmidwifery] Re Tina's response to Denise

2002-12-01 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Denise!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What more can I say other than I am currently 

banging my head against a very hard wall (eg. working) in a large "we are a high 

risk unit you know" (their words) tertiary training hospital.&nbsp; Only 

graduated Middi last July and am hoping to leave this very special place because 

I am terrified that I will end up thinking like them.&nbsp; No disrespect as 

some of these midwives are fantastic, just don't want to be a high risk 

obstetric nurse!&nbsp; When I grow up I want to be an Independent Midwife.&nbsp; 

</FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>This idea was reinforced by learning from one of 

the best.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Always had a thing about uniforms, my ideas are 

that they squash creativity and individuality even though like you said noone 

knows an EN from a Midwife, or even the Cleaner.&nbsp; Maybe it should be 

based&nbsp;on rates of pay as last year I was paid the same as the cleaner, this 

year the same as a Cinema Usher but I don't get to watch the movies and some of 

their uniforms are much nicer than ours.&nbsp; Better stop 

rambling.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>However, when someone comes to our desk and asks 

for a nurse I always tell them that they will not find one here but that we have 

plenty of midwives.&nbsp; I am sure&nbsp; that much eye rolling goes on in the 

back ground.&nbsp; Never thought I was a nurse even though I did B Nurse first, 

no B Mid here in NSW and didn't want to wait unless it never eventuated.&nbsp; I 

didn't actually ever work as a RN so don't even see how come his has to be on my 

name badge, even though I am proud of finishing this degree.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Lastly, without meaning to offend anyone, I call 

ladies, women etc, birds!&nbsp;Very incorrect but bad habits die hard.&nbsp; One 

of my favourite things is to catch up with the birds for lunch, dinner and 

especially a bottle of vino!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Love Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] Re Tina's response to Denise

2002-11-27 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Possibly totally unrelated, but I wonder how much 

wearing those dreadful uniforms makes hospital midwives feel "subordinate" or 

even a "handmaiden".&nbsp; Doctors don't wear a uniform and yet women and 

some&nbsp;midwives seen happy to do as they say.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Love Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: [Children Present at Births)

2002-11-27 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Aviva!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I too do not understand why hospitals don't have 

child care centres for both the staff and patients.&nbsp; Having worked in a 

totally unrelated business with 3000 staff members and providing cheap childcare 

for their staff 24 hours per day, I don't understand why hospitals can't do the 

same.&nbsp; May even fix the staffing problem many hospitals face.&nbsp; Also 

more midwives may be happy to work on call if this option was 

available!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Love Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] HIV and birth

2002-11-19 Thread Barry MacGregor 
Megan
I have read somewhere (I can't remember where, quite possibly on this
list???) that exclusive breastfeeding for HIV mothers is just as safe as
bottle feeding.  Haven't read anything about birth though.
Sonja


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Re: [ozmidwifery] Obstetric Perception - Your thoughts?

2002-10-31 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Debby</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>After numerous discussions with many midwives just 

on joining the hospitals Team Midwifery Programme, they all say, "but how are 

you going to cope with the 12 hour on call shifts" - these being only 2-4 shifts 

per fortnight. So I can see that many would not be happy at all to work in an 

arena that requires them to work anything other than their designated 8 

hrs.&nbsp; Furthermore, in my place of employment we are trying to make a second 

team of 5 midwives, however it is almost impossible to find 10 midwives 

interested in team midwifery work, and we still get holidays etc.&nbsp; I think 

your friend might just be right.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>However, I am still waiting and have given a 

deadline of Feb 2003 otherwise I too will need to find a new place of 

employment, not particularly fussed on this obstetric nursing that I am 

currently doing.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yours Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw: InviteTo NSW NMAP Launch

2002-09-22 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Denise,</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Is it at all possible to just turn up on the 

day!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Due to organising a wedding I was unsure if I could 

make it, but would love to come now that all preparations are 

complete.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If it is not, I will be with you all in 

spirit.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Love the NMAP! and all the hard work that everyone 

has put into it.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

[ozmidwifery] horrified

2002-09-09 Thread Barry MacGregor 



Dear All
Having moved from a relatively large regional 
hospital with ?midwifery care to a large city referral hospital, I  am 
becoming more and more amazed at interventions that some midwives see as 
normal.  Women come to the postnatal ward following a forceps delivery of 
their baby and our handover is given as a NVD.  No mention of episi or 
forceps until you read the notes.  For some bizarre reason, I don't think 
that there is anything normal about forceps!!
 
Further to this, the practice here is to strongly 
recommend that babies receive a comp feed of formula via a bottle if they 
haven't fed for 5 hours.  Apparently, the reason being that babies need to 
feed at least this often!  At my other place of employment these babies 
were monitored a bit more closely, never given a bottle, and sure enough when 
these cherubs worked out what the breast was all about they tended to feed quite 
often and well.
 
Also, at this new place of employment I have had 
numerous women ask me to put their baby to their breast for them like the last 
midwife did.  I always let them know that they can't take the midwife home 
with them and so they need to try themselves and that I will be back in 5 
minutes to see how they are going.  Low and behold 5 minutes later mum has 
baby to the breast suckling beautifully.  When I told an experienced 
midwife how I go about this she said "don't they complain that you are not 
helping them".  Well not to my knowledge, but who knows.
Why do we need to further deplete our women's 
confidence with offering bottles and putting babies to breasts for them.  
Isn't their confidence shattered enough after their babes are delivered!!! in 
clinical controlled environments.  
 
Finally, why are midwives their own worst 
enemy!  I am astounded by the amount of midwives that go to private obs, 
and recommend that their daughters do the same.  How can we educate women 
to use midwifery centred care when many midwives don't believe in it 
themselves.
 
Love this list because it helps me feel a little 
less lonely in my beliefs. I keep battling on and learning as much as I can from 
women.
newly graduated Midwife
Sonia

Re: [ozmidwifery] [Ozmidwifery] Homebirth Australia Conference

2002-09-04 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Jan
Would love to attend.  All areas of Sydney are far from each  other when you
look at Sydney traffic.
Please let me know dates, times and address!
Sonja

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Re: [ozmidwifery] FW: Best for Women Conference reply!!!!!!!!!!

2002-09-04 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Justine 
Love to be part of the hoo ha
But will be in the Hunter Valley and coming back to Sydney that day!
Hope it is in the afternoon
Sonja

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Re: [ozmidwifery] [Ozmidwifery] Homebirth Australia Conference

2002-09-02 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Why not hold it in the NT before or after the Frontiers of Midwifery
conference.  I think Jan Robinson suggested this some time ago.  Would love
to help out if I can even though I live in Sydney.
Yours Sonja

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Re: [ozmidwifery] Posh Spice

2002-09-02 Thread Barry MacGregor 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I guess that she went straight for the caesar 

option this time!&nbsp; Last time Victoria was induced to fit in with hubby's 

football and ended up with an emergency caesar!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Look what we have to work against</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

[ozmidwifery] re: new dimensions

2002-07-16 Thread Barry MacGregor 



Jan!
 
Shea, Maree and yourself were wonderful on 
Tuesday's show!
I want to say thanks for training me in my first 
semester of uni last year as a very green midwifery student.  Now I am a 
fully fledged midwife, still working within the obstetric model of care in the 
local hospital but often asking WHY!!!, especially in relation to inductions at 
40+6 for post dates and routine LSCS's for twins and breech etc.  The 
latest, I am told, is that a previous 3rd or 4th degree tear is an indication 
for "offering" women the "choice" of LSCS.  Have you heard anything so 
ridiculous in your life (well I guess we all have with many of the interventions 
that go on almost routinely).
 
However, I am looking forward to gaining much 
experience and working within a team midwifery model in the near future, plus 
spending time attending midwifery conferences etc now that I no longer have 
to spend hours upon hours writing assignments.
 
Independent midwives are my inspiration to keep on 
going within this obstetric model of care, and I feel very privileged to have 
been partly educated by yourself.
 
Yours in gratitude
Sonja

[no subject]

2002-06-22 Thread Barry MacGregor 



I love the "birthday" slogans.
I feel that they would pique everyone's interests - 
women and men.
Would love to see these everywhere and have 
everyone talking about NMAP and what have they got to do with 
birthdays.
 
However, on another note I was hoping that someone 
would be able to help me find out if there are any independent birth centres in 
NSW.
Plus what happens if you do not have a OB that 
supports midwifery care in your area and if anyone has overcome this problem and 
as such has implemented a model of midwifery care that is successful.  

 
Thanks  Sonja
(Midwifery student for 2 more 
weeks)

re: language

2002-06-02 Thread Barry MacGregor 



OOOH!
Thanks for the reminder about being a midwifery student rather than a 
student midwife!  I never quite put the two together, especially as my ID 
badge states student midwife.  However, I have always had big issues with 
the professionalisation of nursing and midwifery.  Had many an argument 
about the wearing of uniforms etc, when doctors don't.  Anyway, I have 5 
weeks left of being a "Midwifery student"
Sonja 

re: PUPPS

2002-05-30 Thread Barry MacGregor 



Thanks everyone for your replies.
All my lady's liver function tests have come back normal, however she had a 
haemoglobin test that went from 112 in one week to 90 the next.  Don't know 
if this is related or not.  I have asked all the senior midwives and 
doctors about PUPPS and all have said that it spontaneously resolves within a 
week after the birth and that it affects first time mothers only.  They 
have all been unable to direct me towards any literature on the subject like 
what is the cause.
Thanks again
Sonja 

PUPPS

2002-05-30 Thread Barry MacGregor 



Dear all!
I vaguely remember some information on this site previously on PUPPS.  
As a student midwife, I have a lady on which I am conducting a longitudinal 
study - following her through her clinic visits, labour and post partum.  
However, now in her 37th week she has PUPPS.  The doctors want to induce 
her, which she is happy about as it will stop the itching.  However, I am 
wondering if anyone has any info this condition, like remedies for the itches, 
and why it occurs.  Can't find anything in the textbooks!!
Thanks in anticipation
Sonja
 
Oh! I heard on the grapevine that Nepean's birth centre was stopped due to 
lack of staff and clients. 

re:finally

2002-03-19 Thread Barry MacGregor 



 Where I am currently employed as a student midwife we 
administer oxytocin with the delivery of the baby's anterior 
shoulder.    It depends on the midwife assisting the woman as to 
when the cord is clamped (before or after pulsating has finished).  
Unfortunately, I have been more concerned with the lack of obtaining consent 
prior to giving this drug (shock horror, I was always under the impression that 
you needed to gain consent prior to giving any drug!), so I have not even 
attempted to look up research on whys and effects of this drug.  I'll have 
to do some extra research now.Oh!  Nikki, I also drain the maternal end 
of the cord into a dish.  A very experienced midwife told that it was to 
aid in the formation of a retroplacental clot.  Seems that there is now a 
couple of reasons I can suggest when a midwife questions what I am 
doing.Thanks Sonja  

re: nine months

2002-02-11 Thread Barry MacGregor 



 
dear all,
as an avid reader of this list I thought I would let you know that I too 
posted a note to the nine months website.  I find them quite irresponsible 
with the information they provide on breastfeeding.  As a student midwife 
with a primigravida longitudinal study and girlfriend having her first baby I am 
beginning to become aware how influential these sites are.
 
On a brighter side I have had the pleasure of meeting a couple who planned 
a home birth with a private midwife.  Unfortunately, things did not go to 
plan and the baby was born in hospital.  However, this mum told me how 
"empowered" and "strong" she felt after having her baby in her position of 
choice and without any drugs or intervention.
Finally, I have had the opportunity to meet one of these marvellous 
women.
 
Sonja

Re: my grandmother's homebirth

2001-12-23 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Dear Toni and Andrea,
Firstly, Toni ! Of course you may use this story.  I found this story just
beautiful.  My grandmother just never seems to realise how much she amazes
me.  She thinks that it is a shame that ALL babies now have to be born in
hospital and that new mums "these days" can't experience having a baby at
home!!!

Andrea, Thank you for your inspiring words.  I am unsure as to whether I can
spend some extra hours with an Independent Midwife as part of my course
(part of my unpaid hours etc).  This is something that I will follow up in
the new Year.  However, if not, I may try to spend some time with these
inspiring people after I have completed my course.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a fantastic New Year

Sonja

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Re: my grandmother's homebirth

2001-12-23 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Dear Toni and Andrea,
Firstly, Toni ! Of course you may use this story.  I found this story just
beautiful.  My grandmother just never seems to realise how much she amazes
me.  She thinks that it is a shame that ALL babies now have to be born in
hospital and that new mums "these days" can't experience having a baby at
home!!!

Andrea, Thank you for your inspiring words.  I am unsure as to whether I can
spend some extra hours with an Independent Midwife as part of my course
(part of my unpaid hours etc).  This is something that I will follow up in
the new Year.  However, if not, I may try to spend some time with these
inspiring people after I have completed my course.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a fantastic New Year

Sonja

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Re: my grandmother's homebirth

2001-12-23 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Dear Toni and Andrea,
Firstly, Toni ! Of course you may use this story.  I found this story just
beautiful.  My grandmother just never seems to realise how much she amazes
me.  She thinks that it is a shame that ALL babies now have to be born in
hospital and that new mums "these days" can't experience having a baby at
home!!!

Andrea, Thank you for your inspiring words.  I am unsure as to whether I can
spend some extra hours with an Independent Midwife as part of my course
(part of my unpaid hours etc).  This is something that I will follow up in
the new Year.  However, if not, I may try to spend some time with these
inspiring people after I have completed my course.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a fantastic New Year

Sonja

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Re: my grandmother's homebirth

2001-12-23 Thread Barry MacGregor 

Dear Toni and Andrea,
Firstly, Toni ! Of course you may use this story.  I found this story just
beautiful.  My grandmother just never seems to realise how much she amazes
me.  She thinks that it is a shame that ALL babies now have to be born in
hospital and that new mums "these days" can't experience having a baby at
home!!!

Andrea, Thank you for your inspiring words.  I am unsure as to whether I can
spend some extra hours with an Independent Midwife as part of my course
(part of my unpaid hours etc).  This is something that I will follow up in
the new Year.  However, if not, I may try to spend some time with these
inspiring people after I have completed my course.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a fantastic New Year

Sonja

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Re: Midwife or Not?

2001-12-20 Thread Barry MacGregor 
ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">

<HTML><HEAD>

<META content="text/html; charset=unicode" http-equiv=Content-Type>

<META content="MSHTML 5.00.2014.210" name=GENERATOR>

<STYLE></STYLE>

</HEAD>

<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Anne,</FONT></DIV>

<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Possibly these mothers do ask obstetricians these 

questions and the likelihood is that they do not get the right answers (if they 

get answers at all).&nbsp; I know not all docs are the same and some are very 

supportive of home birth.&nbsp; However I do know of one GP who when a woman 

asked about a birth centre delivery, told the woman that this would be stupid as 

they would not have the option for any pain relief if they wanted it!&nbsp; This 

birth centre is a room amongst a whole lot of delivery suites!</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As you said women are not stupid, I too hope that 

they ask these questions from anyone they seek to help them with the delivery of 

their babe.</FONT></DIV>

<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Have a great Christmas and New Year 

everyone</FONT></DIV>

<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sonja</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

my grandmother's homebirth

2001-12-19 Thread Barry MacGregor 



 
Dear All,
Just thought that I would share with you my grandmother's view of 
homebirth.  My grandmother has no medical or midwifery training, 
or knows anybody in these fields.  However, she had two babies 
one at home (her first) and the other in a hospital, both of these babies born 
over 50 years ago.
 
Anyway, I felt the need to ask her which she thought was better.  
Not surprising to most of us but she raved about the homebirth telling me that 
it was absolutely marvellous that she could continue her normal duties right up 
until the time of delivery and thoroughly enjoyed her postpartum period at 
home with the baby.  Midwives attended the birth, and at one stage the 
midwife did become concerned and went to phone the doctor, however the 
babies head was on view before the phone call could be made.
 
My grandmothers criticism of hospital birth is that mothers feel the 
need to restrain themselves to some degree (her words you could not scream and 
shout if you wanted to) and that they need to conform to the hospitals 
rules.   
 
In reality not much has changed, except that the medical profession has 
created a marvellous scare campaign  to deter many women from the idea of 
homebirth so that they will not have the pleasure of knowing what it is truly 
like to birth in the place where they have made their nest.
 
Yours Sonja

A student midwife's thoughts

2001-12-16 Thread Barry MacGregor 



dear all,
I am a student midwife, who spent 3 years 
undertaking a nursing degree in order to become a midwife, and now another 1 
year at uni to actually become a midwife.  

 
I feel very unfortunate that part of our course 
does not enforce or encourage student midwives to undertake some practical time 
with homebirth midwives.  Another problem with hospital based training for 
midwives is that lack of encouragement women are given to make choices during 
labour.  Most women look to the midwife to make the decision for her.  
This can be quite difficult if your own experience is limited ( ie: in nearly 
six months of training I have not seen one women deliver her baby in any other 
position than the "stranded beetle" position).  Scary isn't it that some 
midwives will be registered without ever seeing a delivery with the woman making 
all her own choices and being supported by a midwife.
 
Further to this I feel that some midwives ( luckily 
these are the minority) are really only obstetric nurses.  I have had one 
senior midwife tell me that she will not allow a woman to birth in any other 
position other than lithotomy as she feels that the babies will only get a face 
full of faeces!!  This midwife is also a believer that all women should be 
subjected to a routine CTG on admission to the delivery suite unless they are 
"pushing" on arrival.  Her idea is that we work in a delivery suite and if 
we woman want to do any thing other than the "norm", they should go to the birth 
centre with all the "weirdos".
 
Finally, just wanted to say a thank you to 
everyone who contributes to the list.  With my very limited experience and 
that I always need to work with a senior midwife (some of whom are like the one 
I have mentioned above) it is lovely to know that many midwives actually believe 
in women to give birth naturally.
 
Thanks again
Sonja
 a student currently learning a lot online 
from each and every one of you.