September 22, 2003

Contrasting maternity care in Perth, WA

The Western Australian newspaper ran a supplement today - “Spring Baby and Maternity liftout”. Eagerly I scanned the pages to see what was on offer in WA maternity care and very quickly I was disappointed. It turned out to be just advertising with some advertorials, and the only options included were the private hospitals in Perth and some baby and maternity clothes businesses.

The ads for the hospitals were interesting. Much emphasis on the decor, facilities and “highly skilled obstetric and midwifery staff” who would ensure an “experience to remember”. Rather ironic really, given the high rates of intervention in these hospitals. If parents choose their care based on this kind of information, they are in for a rude shock, unless they are aware of the medicalised nature of the care they offer and are keen for a caesarean birth.

Meanwhile, the WA Government is still fluffing about over the funding for the Community Midwifery Program (CMP), which is one of Australia’s showpiece midwifery services. The midwives working for this outstanding program are all on three month contracts, which is very unfair and stressful. It is the issue of insurance that is causing the problem - at present they midwives are covered by the Government’s own insurance policies but this is far from a certainty and is being challenged, hence the short term contracts.

Earlier this year Tracy Reibel, who managed the CMP for several years, explained the background for this program and the way it operates, when she spoke on the Future Birth program that toured Australia. Everyone was very impressed with this excellent model and it is hard to imagine that such a good example of cost-effective, popular and safe maternity care could ever be under a threat of closure. A big rally is planned for the end of the month to draw attention to its plight and to ensure the politicians take note of the community’s concerns. I wish them the best for their efforts and ultimate success.

Posted by andrea at September 22, 2003 10:39 PM

Comments

I'm going thru my very first pregnancy and am keen to have my baby at home with a qualified midwife. Unfortunatley this notion of mine is not very strongly supported by my friends and family (excl my partner) and so am keen to receive any and all info on midwifes in Perth.

I too strongly believe that the level of intervention in hospitals is too high and birth, though extremely painful (from what I've heard) is and should be encouraged as a natural process.

Hope you are able to forward me more info as it seems to be rather difficult to get any

Thanks for your help
Sharon

Posted by: Sharon on December 9, 2003 11:56 AM

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Posted by: blackjack on January 19, 2004 10:13 AM

Comments

Hello,

I was surfing past the internet to look for sites about home birthing in WA and came passed your site. I am a student midwife from Holland and i strongly believe that woman ar very well able to deliver at home. It is a natural process, why take it to a place where nature can't take it's course.

Keep on the good work
Jacqueline

Posted by: Jacqueline on February 26, 2004 07:58 PM