Just for 2 seconds can we focus on the big breakthrough in womens maternity care

[~mamaspice~]

I don't think it distracts from the homebirth issue. It is still important for us to stand up for the choice to homebirth but it is also great to celebrate an advancement for woman who want a hospital birth and with a greater amount of support in their birth might lead to a better birthing experience for more woman in hospital!

:yeahthat: I completely agree Saram. It doesn't distract from the homebirth issue and that was not my intention. But in reality it IS going to give so many women the potential for a better hospital birth experience all round Not to mention a better ante-natal and post-natal experience for many women too.

[Oorki Galoorki]

i hope you are right but knowing that these midwives will still work with in the policies of the hospital i hope they can still form th relationship required.. all fitted in 10minute appointments

[~mamaspice~]

i hope you are right but knowing that these midwives will still work with in the policies of the hospital i hope they can still form th relationship required.. all fitted in 10minute appointments

Being that women would actually be hiring them and most likely paying more than the medicare rebate for their services, I would like to think that the midwife would be affording more than 10 minutes of her time per appointment.

And I guess looking at the positive aspect of these private midwives working under/being covered by the hospitals policies at least they will be playing a major role during the birth and also for women who have caesareans the IM they have hired under the new legislation would be able to be with mum in theatre and recovery and thus ensuring bub will be with mum in recovery too. Currently under the hospital system this is not always possible depending on staff numbers.
Also under the "current" system as independant midwives are not covered under hospital PI once a homebirth transfers to hospital the independant midwife can no longer be their clients active midwife as they aren't covered under the hospitals PI cover. This also includes a caesarean birth. The baby could only still be with mum in recovery if there is a hospital employed midwife present. Even if the IM is in recovery with the mother it's not acceptable as the IM is not covered by the hospital IYKWIM.
Just such a shame these private midwives will not be covered for homebirth too But I am hopeful this will change and that the buerocrats will eventually see sense.

[squidipa]

wow i think thats excellent,
me being a high risk patient im happy with that altho i wouldn't have the $$$ to hire one but good for other ppl

[~mamaspice~]

wow i think thats excellent,
me being a high risk patient im happy with that altho i wouldn't have the $$$ to hire one but good for other ppl

You never know Squidipa, with the medicare rebate an IM may not be too far out of your reach.

[fionas]

That's fantastic. One question - can you birth with that midwife in a private hospital or only public? Presume that in a private hospital you still have to have a designated (and paid for) ob - is that right?

And can you have both - so a midwife AND an ob (if you pay for it). Realise that sounds like overkill but I'd actually like both. Midwife to birth with me and ob to do any medical stuff that MAY be required. Would actually like to know both people before going to hospital and getting up the pointy end (so to speak).

[Salsa]

I am so pleased to hear this.
I found it very hard not having continuity of care with my last pregnacy. I dont think I saw anyone twice even the same ob! I was dealing with a vbac and continuity would have made a big difference to my stress etc.
having had my first baby in NZ I cannot believe how backwards Australia maternity system seems to be, so yes this is actually a big step forward! Yippee.

[~mamaspice~]

That's fantastic. One question - can you birth with that midwife in a private hospital or only public? Presume that in a private hospital you still have to have a designated (and paid for) ob - is that right?

And can you have both - so a midwife AND an ob (if you pay for it). Realise that sounds like overkill but I'd actually like both. Midwife to birth with me and ob to do any medical stuff that MAY be required. Would actually like to know both people before going to hospital and getting up the pointy end (so to speak).

Thats a great question Fiona,

I'd say you would definately still have to have your own OB.
Wouldn't it be great if you could have midwifery lead care at a private hospital though.

[dust]

im classified as "high risk" yet i dont have the $$... im not also one who has all the tests, constant monitoring & appts etc. i dont see my preg as a illness and yes im lucky not to have had any probs or complications... im just saying that not everyone chooses to have a continous "Care" model. but its great news for those who do want it
altho bittersweet if this is going thru same day as law 2 make HB illegal.. *sigh*

[Sagres]

Wow, thanks so much for posting this! I have been trying to find more information about this since I didn't understand the wording of the original media release, but this has confirmed what I had thought.
This is a great advance! I think it will allow more women to see a midwife for a straight forward pregnancy (exactly what they are best equipt for), leaving obs to deal with the more complicated/surgical situations (exactly what they are best equipt for).

[Julie Doula]

I think it's brilliant that women will be able to access continuity of care with a self-chosen midwife, as per the NZ model. About time! This will be a real blessing for women who choose hospital care. BUT, this needs to include homebirth options as well as birth centre and hospital options. Not at the expense of independent home midwifery. We need an alternative to medically-managed birth, so we can choose which model suits us best.

[~mamaspice~]

I think it's brilliant that women will be able to access continuity of care with a self-chosen midwife, as per the NZ model. About time! This will be a real blessing for women who choose hospital care. BUT, this needs to include homebirth options as well as birth centre and hospital options. Not at the expense of independent home midwifery. We need an alternative to medically-managed birth, so we can choose which model suits us best.

I agree Julie, I just cannot understand why they cannot include HB services as part of the package. Especially with low risk women.

[BekZ]

Here Here!!! Big round of applause. Whilst in hospital having my 3rd baby I was fortunate enough to talk with some Mids that were trained in NZ. Their standard of care seems to be much higher than here and their model seems to be based on excellent continuity of care both pre and postnatally (sp). I hope Australia is moving towards this type of model.

[~mamaspice~]

Here Here!!! Big round of applause. Whilst in hospital having my 3rd baby I was fortunate enough to talk with some Mids that were trained in NZ. Their standard of care seems to be much higher than here and their model seems to be based on excellent continuity of care both pre and postnatally (sp). I hope Australia is moving towards this type of model.

Too right Bekz, NZ's maternity system is what Australia should be aspiring to. Don't 'spose one of the midwives you were talking to was a Diane (logan hosp midwife and Midwifery lecturer at griffith Uni)

[Floweryfields]

That sounds like a very positive advance - great news for those who wouldn't have wanted the home birth option but really would like the one on one care of a middy.

[Nelle]

It is good. It's bittersweet because of the homebirth stuff, but hey, I'd prefer bittersweet over bitterbitter any day.

And it's a great result for people who might not be able to homebirth because of factors like finances or risk - for someone who can't afford a homebirth *sob* or has a history of haemorrhages, having a midwife I trust and who knows my birth wishes because of continuity of care, is a good thing.

Really looking forward to the day when homebirth is medicare funded or at least subsidised, and registered doulas are funded/subsidised too. Any day now, right?

[BekZ]

No her name was Faith but Dianne delivered my first bub