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Wrapping up Future Birth

I waived farewell to the last of our Future Birth speakers on Thursday and we began the wrap up of this fantastic series of seminars. There is no doubt that it was the best we have ever presented - there was not one complaint about the speakers amongst the almost 900 evaluations that we received. Some comments were made about Michel Odent’s French accent being hard to understand, but everyone was enthralled by his message that we should return to the physiological roots of childbirth to make it safer and easier for women and babies.

Susanne Houd’s incredible pictures of her work in three countries (Nunavik in Northern Canada, Eritrea and the eastern coast of Greenland) illustrated her passion for developing programs that enable babies to be born on their own homeland, not shipped away to large impersonal hospitals for birth. There were many lessons in her presentation that could be applied to our indigenous Aboriginal population and this point was highlighted by many in the various audiences.

Sally Tracy presented the research that is about the be published in a top medical journal, showing that small maternity units are safe places for birth. She presented convincing arguments for maintaining these small hospitals, especially in rural areas where they are under constant threat. Her figures were drawn from a study group of 750,000 births in Australia - the entire population of birthing women for 3 years. Hard to argue with a study pf that size! She followed up with the outcomes for the first 100 births in the Ryde Hospital in Sydney - the first unit of its kind in a city area to be established as completely midwifery led. Needless to say, the outcomes were as expected - outstanding.

Sandy Kirkman lifted our spirits and energised us at the end of the day with a wonderful presentation highlighting the difference that just one person can make in changing maternity care practises. Drawing on some well known and some anonymous or almost forgotten people, she explained how their concern at outdated or unkind practises could be changed through simple research or just plain obstinacy. This was a very lively hour, and we were all weak from laughter by the end. A fitting conclusion to the program and one that was welcomed by everyone.

Much of the feedback was repetitous: “inspiring” was the most common remark, “amazing”, “interesting”, “informative”, “fantastic”, “exceptional” “outstanding” appeared often as well.

There were some notable comments as well:

One person described Sally’s statistics as “boring as batshit” but also a great achievement!

Another thought that Michel would “be bigger” (whatever that means!). She also commented that Sandy was “entertaining - can we order you in a jar?”

One summed up the day like this “Enjoyed the seminar incredibly - every second - the feeling of solidarity, the tears”. She also felt that hearing Michel was “a dream come true”.

One grandmother, doing research on an aspect of birth, wrote “The day has been really moving for me - I’ve been trembling with feeling and on the edge of tears a good part of the day”.

One enthusiastic midwife wrote “ [Michel] is worth his weight in love hormones” and praised Sandy for her “joyous content”.

Many midwives wanted to travel with Susanne or even work with her and there was much praise for her passion, achievements and fantastic commitment to women.

Sally received numerous requests to come and “sort out” their local hospital. One midwife said that “we need a few more work-horses like you around the country” and her dedication to the cause and ability to get things done were admired and envied by many people.

Sandy, having asked everyone to think of people who deserved a prize for their unsung achievements, was told firmly by one midwife “you are a shaker and a mover and an inspiration”.

The whole day was summed up by another who said “Wonderful - I could come back again tomorrow”. It was certainly a day we will all remember with great affection. As speakers, we all felt that there was a huge groundswell happening across the country, with midwifery poised to make a giant leap forward into the mainstream as primary carers for childbearing women. The enthusiasm and excitement was palpable, and the commitment, afer so many years of constant struggle, was still as strong as ever.

If this Future Birth program has been able to bolster our midwives to take that final step towards autonomous practise then I will be very pleased. This was my intention, and together with a great team of presenters (and my dedicated staff, behind the scenes) I feel we have been able to make a difference. The next event will be early in 2007 .....

Posted by andrea at March 19, 2005 05:01 PM