OMG - that's terrible if true. Democratic society my butt! Reeks of communism..... or totalitarianism!! Grrrr..... Don't they realise that they are going to drive homebirthing 'underground'? It's so obvious..... What ever happened to reducing harm whilst allowing people free choice?
All those poor independent midwives out there...what will it mean for them? Throw on a white coat and get a job in a maternity hospital or say goodbye to all your training and expertise??
I truely hope we see many more government-funded, low-intervention oriented birthing centres propping up, otherwise our percentage of artificial inductions, drug-induced complications and c/sections are going to shoot through the roof!!
Does anyone know if this will affect government funded homebirthing programs which currently run in conjunction with public hospitals? Ie - the Community Midwives in WA? Or will it just be independent midwives?