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

[Julie Doula]

it is normal for first time mothers to push for longer than an hour - up to 6 hours even. I though most hospitals allowed at least two hours? One hour for a first time mama is really draconian. She hardly gets a chance. 2 and a half hours sounds about average for a first timer. (Nice work, SammyRo!)

[Janie]

I know a midwife who now works here in Oz, but trained in Europe, and worked there for most of her career. She finds it difficult that she has less autonomy, and authority, in her work here. She has been known to sometimes go her own way, to give mothers a better chance of unhurried vaginal delivery . I think she is wonderful to do that, but it is sad that she has to do it underhandedly.

[SammyRo]

it is normal for first time mothers to push for longer than an hour - up to 6 hours even. I though most hospitals allowed at least two hours? One hour for a first time mama is really draconian. She hardly gets a chance. 2 and a half hours sounds about average for a first timer. (Nice work, SammyRo!)

THanks I was pretty chuffed! I'm just sad that this time we have moved and aren't in the catchment for the same hospital.

I've only heard this stuff from mothers groups and stuff, and I remember one mum at a diff hosp who was moved from the birthing centre to the labour ward after an hour. Although I could be mistaken. And another friend who went private who was only given about 4-6 hours once her waters broke before they induced her, and then about the same 4 hours after the induction before they took her off for a c-sect. But that was prob because the ob wanted to go play golf or something


I know the HB thing is still a huge issue, but for me, I am really happy that this type of mw care is being opened up to more people - having built that relationship with our lovely mw meant that we got the birth we wanted. But, as you say, it will probably come down to how much freedom they have to do they're job. And that will probably come down to how much respect they are afforded from the obs. doctors.