I am a very happy 52 year old expectant grandmother. I want to take a moment to express what I know can be achieved when we use our voice to make changes happen.
I was a childbirth educator trained in Australia by A.C.E and PCA. I have spent much of my working life lobbying for various changes in birthing and post natal practices in Sydney and Nepean area.
I was the community based rep on the Ante Natal Review Committee at Nepean hospital some years ago which was created by the government in an attempt to "upgrade" hospital ante-natal classes (with varying degrees of success).
I was a NMAA (now Breastfeeding Australia) counselor for about 12 years. Our Lower Blue Mountains group (led at the time by a truly committed and focused lay-person who I shouldn't name without her permission) provided hours of counseling services to women in the post natal ward at Nepean Hospital. Our group was very heavily involved in providing education days for interested health professionals at Nepean hospital at this time. These "education days" were extremely well attended by doctors and midwives alike and helped provide an atmosphere of respect and cooperation in breastfeeding practices in the post natal wards at that time.
I was the first extra support person to attend a birth at Nepean Hospital. This was achieved through one woman who felt a strong need for extra help and support during labour. This woman spent time during her pregnancy writing letters, calling and meeting with people in order to make a case for my inclusion in her choice of birthing attendants. I had some input during this process but mostly this one woman who wanted me to attend her during her birth drove this change. What she did meant that all subsequent birthing women were allowed to have extra support people available at this hospital if they chose.
Without the call for change nothing changes . If we are silent long enough things start to slip backwards.
I had 2 of my babies at home which cost $1000 (each) at the time. Fear, inadequate and inaccurate information and increasing rates of litigation have driven up the cost of giving birth at home and, sadly, it is becoming prohibitive for many women at a time when there are such heavy financial demands on families.
My beautiful pregnant daughter brought this, her favourite forum to my attention. It is wonderful to see the passion is still alive and well. I will certainly write my thoughts to the gov on this matter, in particular the need for support and financial assistance for those women who wish to give birth at home and for the midwives and doctors who wish to attend them.
Bless you for providing a forum to help drive such changes.