Comments on Ilithyia Inspired Birth Servant: Homebirth Makes It To Question Time

Cheers, Sazz. I am watching with interest as I ha...

2009-08-24T11:40:24.053+10:00

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!

Hi Laura, Some of my friends have questioned the s...

2009-08-24T11:16:27.964+10:00

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.

Fascinating video -- I really loved it. I have a ...

2009-08-24T03:10:59.251+10:00

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.