I probably should have thought about it more before I posted that - what I meant was, in terms of the actual facilities and medical technology available at hospitals, I don't think they are "almost third world". But of course that is where there are hospitals available with enough staff to run them, which sadly is increasingly not the case, especially in rural and remote areas.

In terms of personal experience, I do understand that those mothers who have suffered psychological stress absolutely have a reason to feel that their treatment was almost third world. It is not right that so many women should suffer in this way after giving birth.

I do still think though that the way the article was written was to sensationalise the issue - note how they quote the maternity coalition president as saying our hospital standard of care is almost "Third World" without giving the full quote or the context in which it was said. Maybe I am nitpicking.