Homebirth to be forced underground. click on the link to see the latest report from the 7.30 report.
It’s nice when an Obstetrician makes himself sound like a dickhead woman hater. It’s not as nice when your own college states that the radical fringe will become more radical, whatever that means.
More interestingly I received my mirror from Virginia Howes and I tried it out for the first time at a birth. I kept forgetting it but I have had it a little while.
The mirror was very light and clear except it had two reflectors in different places made it difficult to find where you needed to look. My client was also moving lots so by the time my eyes had focused by the torch and decided where to look the woman had moved.
The mirror has a bend in the middle. I liked the way it felt although it wasn’t the best trial. The woman got out of the water shortly after to go to the toilet and then birthed her baby.
This photo is fascinating because it’s taken in the dark in a very small room (over the toilet). The woman is leaning on my back and partner is catching.
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I’d say that you and your homebirthing community need that upcoming homebirth retreat more than ever now.
And, being from the united states myself, I can assure you, women still choose homebirth, even when it is legal for the milkman to attend her birth, but not a midwife. I live on the border between 2 states w/ different laws “governing” midwifery. In Kansas, midwifery is alegal.
It is written in a 1996 ruling in the Kansas Supreme Court that pregnancy and birth are not pathologies or abnormalities but normal extensions of a woman’s health and well being. Therefore, midwifery is not the practice of medicine.
In Missouri, CPMs and CNMs can legally attend homebirths, but not a lay or direct entry midwife. And that just changed back in August. Prior to that there were many underground midwives attending births. Also, CPMs ARE NOT required to have malpractice insurance.
That there Mr. Dr. Weaver sounds so familiar. I wonder if I’ve met him right here in Kansas with his fantastic ideas of why obstetricians have jobs.
I think I’ll go stick my head in a bucket of ice water to cool off.
I love this photo Lisa because I can see your ungloved hands, rings and all!!! LOVE IT! Rachael
I dont normally comment for obvious reasons, but I just had to say I read the report and that Ted Weaver sounded like a right plonker! The Least informed and articulate of the lot of them!
I couldn’t agree more about that Ob. Uggghhh. All the more reason to lobby to retain the ability to homebirth with independent midwives – legally. What can I do to help? Should I write to Nicola? Anyone else? I wrote to the review, but I really thought I was putting the case forward for more women to have the opportunity to have births assisted by indpt midwives. I had no idea I should have been pleading for them not to be made illegal. Even though I don’t intend on having anymore children – although I would love to have another attempt to have a natural delivery at home, and using that mirror, I don’t think I will have that pleasure, BUT I don’t like having the decision taken away from me. And I feel so sorry for future families that will not be able to experience the support that truly amazing midwives can give – even (especially?) if they have to transfer to hospital. I would not want to go through the hopsital system again (unless of course it was necessary)- knowing how good it can be with indpt midwives at home. I really wouldn’t trust or feel comfortable with anyone else. I really feel distressed about all this, so I can’t imagine how you are all feeling.
Keep up the good work Lisa. And I love looking in at your site(s) – new house looks fantastic by the way, and I wish I could make it to your coffee mornings again. Let me know if there is anything that I can do. I’ve started becoming a bit of a letter writer lately – see Messenger hopefully next week. I can’t stand to sit by while things shit me, anymore…
I’ve had a (initially) positive response from my local MP, and he (and childless he – sheesh) has said he will communicate with the health minister on my behalf. So, Jo, that might be a good first step for you too.
Belinda
I love your blog. You are so articulate and honest, and that is so refreshing when it comes to birthing. We are lied to so often, and told how useless we are and now we need to be rescued from our own decisions because we obviously don’t care about our own babies as much as Ted Weaver does.
I have no idea how the species survived for so long. In fact, thrived for so long if women are so incapable of giving birth without an obstetrician putting his two cents in.
I fear for the future, because once the precious art of midwifery is lost then it will be very difficult to get it back to the wonderful standard it is at today.
Great pics. Always so special to see a baby emerge!
Thanks for sharing.
I had Ted Weaver deliver my baby and I must say as President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, he is very well educated and his opinion is highly valued. I found him to be excellent and professional. Unlike so many obstetricians he is against women having unnecessary c-sections. He believes in natural childbrith and the hospital works at, Selangor, is widely renouned in Australia as one of the best and most natural hospitals in which to birth a baby, a hospital for which women travel the country to experience… I think many people are being slanderous on this site and you should get your facts right before you speak.
Selangor has a 30% section rate like every other hospital. I disagree with your critique of the site but thank you for your comment. Maybe you should get your facts right before you speak. Ted Weaver sounded like every other ob in the interview that is contained in the link. Maybe he has changed his mind about normal birth or maybe he just hasn’t got what it takes to stand up and be counted. I doubt that Ted Weaver “delivered” your baby. Maybe you birthed him/her and Ted assisted you.