Here is some footage of one Australian parliamentarian speaking up for homebirth midwifery during question time. While I take issue with some of the things he has to say I am grateful that this issue is getting the attention it deserves:
Some of the things I take issue with include;
- Comparing hospital and homebirth of past centuries with this one is a little silly. There is no need to. If he had done some better research he could talk about the dangers of hospital birth right here and right now, but obviously that would be unpopular.
- "Appropriate hospital support" concerns me. Homebirth programs run by hospitals tend to be very restrictive in terms of whom they accept into the program and limit women's choice regarding who they hire as a midwife and their power to determine whether or not to transfer to hospital during birth and/or opt out of regular medical testing during pregnancy. I believe hospital run homebirth schemes are a big step backwards for women's birthing rights and maternal-child health and safety because what is deemed "high risk" is excessive and will lead to midwives losing the skills to attend; VBACs, multiples, breech, overweight mothers, older mothers, mothers of four/five or more children etc.
- You can go back a lot further than 5 centuries to see the history of midwifery!
- Mums who are contemplating homebirth are well and truly aware of the legislative changes, dude.
I did enjoy his acknowledgement of the strange bedfellows we make in politics; conservatives speaking up for homebirth! Let's hope it makes a difference!
*Note for international readers. In Australia the conservative party in opposition is called The Liberals and/or The Coalition (as they are a coaltion of The Liberal Party and The National Party, The Nationals were once upon a time known as the representatives for rural Australians). The party in power at the moment is The Labour Party, which has working class roots. For clearer and more indepth information about the Australian Political system see:
http://australianpolitics.com/parties/
http://australianpolitics.com/democracy/overview/
http://australianpolitics.com/parties/
http://australianpolitics.com/democracy/overview/
3 comments:
Fascinating video -- I really loved it. I have a question about "hospital support". You seem to say that it implies hospital-run midwifery programs, but does it HAVE to mean that? Or could it mean that midwives would have practicing privileges at their local hospitals and/or cordial professional relationships with OBs, which would be invaluable in case of a transfer?
The situation might be quite different in Australia than it is here in the US but hospital support seems to me like a good, broad term to describe relationships that make a transfer (when necessary) safer and easier.
Hi Laura,
Some of my friends have questioned the same thing; does "appropriate hospital support" mean hospital run homebirth programs or does it mean cooperative hospital back up system used at the birthing woman's discretion. The problem is that it is not clear and so far Australians haven't been given a reason to give our power holders the benefit of doubt.
I remain skeptical until the plan is clearly defined, while some of my friends are dancing with joy.
Others have suggested a conspiracy theory that the govt put homebirth in danger of being outlawed so that homebirthers would get in a tiz and then be grateful for whatever scraps the govt throw them.
Ultimately, we don't know what's going on yet, other than the AMA are the focus of all discussions and birthing women are invisible.
Cheers, Sazz.
I am watching with interest as I have many friends in Oz, and I'm certainly hoping for a positive outcome that keeps midwifery thriving and above-board!
Post a Comment