... why homebirth and midwifery care isn't more popular when women great treated the way my client did today. I am appalled and reeling from today.

In a large tertiary hospital here in Melbourne, my client went in for an induction at 42 weeks as she was no longer eligible for the birth centre being 2 weeks over, so she had to go to the main ward.

Anyway, she was told they would break her waters and put the drip up, but she could discuss that on the day with the doctors. Her plan was to walk in and ask for waters rupturing only. She was 3cms already, no labour but very stretchy cervix, baby engaged - everything very favourable. Anyway, in we head into the hospital, I went in early with her as she felt she would need an advocate for her wishes early on, and boy was she right.

We were introduced to the 'birth centre' (apparently) midwife who had been asked to take care of her in the main ward. Beauty, we thought.... however as soon as we got to the room it was apparent a fight was to be had. She checked my clients arms for 'good veins' for the drip. My client went along with it but at the same time said that she wasn't going to accept that yet. She goes and gets the doctor.

The doctor comes in and does the spiel that its not protocol and if she wanted to do it, she would need to have a drip attached, even with no drugs in it for easy access - she says no thanks, I would like to be given a go at this without that (she is terrified of needles!). Doctor goes and gets the consultant, who was a senior doctor (who looked even younger than the first!) and wasn't happy at all with her decision. Here's a sample of what was said:

"Do you have to work tomorrow? The consultant who is on call overnight does, and he's not going to be happy if he is unnecesarily woken because your labour has run into strife as they often do overnight"

"Yes it's your body, and it's not law, but you have to accept that coming to our hospital and giving birth here, these are our rules and you have to accept some things/procedures that we tell you"

"The consultant believes that 80% of first time mothers need synt to labour. What's going to happen when we break your waters - nothing happens most of the time?" -- well thank god all those 20% of women giving birth before synto survived or we wouldnt be here today!!!

And so on. She had the client in tears, I was fuming and stepped up to the plate and went into bat for her, I couldn't say nothing - no-one should be treated like this and I was furious.

I don't understand how so many women can accept this as best care. Why do they take this? Why does it happen. I am just so cross.... the happy side to the story is that the waters were broken only and she shot her baby out in 5 hours which is a massive surprise since the stress she was under. It's not meant to be like this. Why do women put up with it and think its the best we have to offer??? This couple is seriously considering a homebirth next time so they can be nurtured, not treated like inconvenient idiots. The doctor checked on them after the birth, the client said, 'See, I told you I wouldn't wake anyone up.'

Please, please, please ladies.... think about the care options you have and make choices that leave you in control and respected. This is the only thing I wish I could pass on to everyone. So many people think they needed xxxxx and it all had to be done the way it did.... but sometimes your care is being directed by people who hate being woken at night and play the 9-5 obstetric game. I bet this consultant would be a nightmare of a consultant to have if you woke him overnight.

My client's friend recently had a baby, refused an induction and went into labour naturally. When the doctor came in to see her, she said, 'sorry to wake you!' and his response? "You will be"

Want someone like that putting his hands up your vagina or catching your precious baby? I wouldn't.

I know I will never give birth without a private midwife, ever.