Homebirthing Voices Across Australian Media

Last week my daughter, an independent midwife and I appeared in our local paper. I contacted the local media to ask if they were interested in talking to some of the homebirthing families and midwives in the community about the legislative changes set to happen in 2010. This was the result;

The first article also appeared on the newspaper's website:

I was pleased with the second article. It was great to read some local women's views and experiences in the paper and to see a beautiful picture of a friend and her son. I think the article reflected the concerns of our community quite well. I was less impressed with the first article which bases it's misleading headline on a very vague quote from the health minister which promises midwives and homebirthers nothing (and stands in contrast to the ministers actions to date).

Further, the newspaper credited me with a profession that does not exist "midwife assistant." This would not frustrate me so much if it weren't for the fact that the only thing the journalist interviewed me about was the definition of a birth servant. Myself and others have written to the paper correcting this mistake and reiterating what I already told them: that a birth servant is privately hired by the birthing woman and serves her ( not the midwife) however she wishes her to.

All across Australia homebirth families and midwives have been contacting their local media and sharing their stories and their concerns about this legislation. Here are a handful that have also appeared online:

Parents labour for home births - The Age
Home-birth revolt - Sunbry Leader
Protesting the right to a home birth - Central Western Daily
Delivering security for midwives - Star News Group
Fight for right to homebirh - Geelong Advertiser
Home births to be outlawed by new maternity laws - Herald Sun
Midwife laws may force homebirths underground - Sydney Morning Herald
Homebirth defenders take protest to capital - Express Advocate