Spent the week following the ACM conference. I found it interesting that it was focused on midwives and how we are, mmm how GREAT we are, how we have standards, policies, frameworks blah blah blah. The title of the conference was “midwives and women a brilliant blend”. I barely heard the word woman even mentioned. Dress was smart casual, well that’s what the website said.
I think to be successful and memorable you need many more vagina pictures and interactive things that midwives truly love. I was dedicated though, I got into the city for 2 early morning workshops.
I love being myself. Everyone knows what I am and stand for, makes interaction (or not) pretty simple. I saw many amazing people there. My favourite moment was when a midwife from Alice Spring who I met at the retreat compared the conference to the retreat. Nothing further to say but I love the fact that what you put out comes back 10 fold. Thanks Heidi.
Here is the draft position of the college of midwives for comment and return by members. I have been constantly maligned for publishing information (even tho most of it is opinion) without permission. This has been published in the magazine and I can only assume that it is for public view.
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As I’m not a member I will give my comment here. Apparently with the labour, liberal and The Age having an RSS feed on me we can give them food for thought if you comment on this post.
First and foremost the initial statement says “The Austalian college of midwives believes that the opportunity to birth at home should be given to women who have uncomplicated pregnancies and labours”.
What they should be saying is that the Australian college of midwives believes that the opportunity to birth at home should be given to women FULLSTOP.
There are a number of contradictions in the guiding requirements for women. How can the college make requirements for women anyway, let alone stipulate they must have an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy. They must agree to listen to the midwife but have a right of refusal. That isn’t a clear statement and should really just be a right of refusal of the woman after being given all the information.
They should get a visit from the midwife’s immediate supervisor. Does the the new collaborative framework assume that the OB is the immediate supervisor? Will the OB then be making home visits or is it assumed that there is someone at the hospital who is an immediate supervisor? This totally misses the point of employing an independent midwife. Maybe the woman has to visit herself as her own immediate supervisor.
The biggest stumbling point for midwives is that they have to be eligible midwives. We don’t even know what that will look like yet and with a 2 year exemption for homebirth it is once again contradictory and certainly not supportive to all midwives. Not all midwives want eligibility.
Visiting rights to the hospital. This is an awkward one, making it manditory means the hospital have control over who can come to their hospital. At the moment we transfer in but are not the primary carer. I wouldn’t like to be in a position that I attempt to transfer but because I have no admitting rights I can’t attend that hospital.
Having 2 midwives at a birth. This makes it difficult for the woman to chose what she wants and although in some cases it maybe be ideal, a mandate is not appropriate.
I do however like the statement of the midwife having responsibility to stay with the client whatever. This should be heavily expanded and added to the ACM guidelines. Justine Caines has written it excellently.
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"The College supports a woman's right to self-determination and control over her body and her pregnancy, including the right to give birth in the place of her choice".
Sounds great. But apparently my right to self-determination is over-ridden by having a "complicated" pregnancy.
I HAVE self-determination. I HAVE control over my own body and pregnancy. I HAVE the right to choose the place I give birth. I HAVE AUTONOMY.
I refuse to take these scraps. My scarred uterus and I will continue to birth at home even if the ACM refuses to believe that I have basic human rights.
Interesting post Lisa. I've put a link to it on the Celebrate New Zealand Midwifery FB page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35776666002
I constantly find it interesting that you seem to be the only one who seems to be noticing the fact that all these medicos and midwives and all peripheral persons seem to have more of a say, more of a vote than the person who it means the most to. The Woman. The Mother.
Having just had a homebirth (An utterly amazing experience which resulted in a healthy mum AND bub – shocking I know!) I would HATE to have had it any other way! Another person in my space? No Way!! Some medico 'informing' (telling) me what I 'can and can't do'? Sod off!!
When will people (ie. anyone OTHER than the woman/mother) understand that this ISN'T about THEM?? It a right of CHOICE that ALL women should be able to make – NOT be 'allowed' to make, but a RIGHT!
I just wanted to say – Everyone harps on about 'safety' and 'low risk', but at the end of the day, these 'professionals' go to their homes and continue their lives, and us mothers are the ones who have to live with THEIR choices and not our own – and to me THAT is wrong!!!!!!
Keep Fighting Lisa! We are behind you and next to you, and I hope that our government understands that we are going to continue to fight, no matter what!!!
Thanks David.
I'm appalled by these, Lisa. I'll be back when I have a chance to pull them apart myself and write up a response in full.
Quick response: APPALLING.
Yes, I am appalled too. However sadly I am not shocked. Why is it ok to discriminate against a pregnant and birthing woman for any reason? I cannot comprehend what birthing in Australia will be like in 2 years time
Don't be ridiculous. If women had choice, if they were informed, if they had autonomy over their bodies, can you imagine what would happen!?!? anarchy! the whole power-structure would collapse. people might work out that their babies aren't commodities belonging to the government who will train them to be subservient followers of the current paradigm. control over women's minds and bodies would be lost. honestly! what were you thinking? just nod and smile sweetly, now there's a good girl.
*puke*
(excuse my sarcasm. I've had a rough day)
I am woman hear me roar. And in childbirth I roared. I roared for the injustice bought upon the women I meet who have had their children taken from them soon after their unnecessary caesarean sections. I roared for the women who have been robbed of support as they birthed their beautiful babes or tried to stand up for their birthrites only to have them carelessly ripped away…and I roared against the ignorant compliance that took me through two surgeries before I discovered birth. Thanks always to my beautiful midwife who brought me home to birth.