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What women want

The formation of a political party to focus on specific issues relating to childbirth is a momentous event. The coming Federal election in Australia (due in October or November 2007) has been the catalyst for Justine Caines, former national President of the Maternity Coalition to launch a campaign that will put midwifery care into the spotlight.

What Women Want is the new force on the block - dedicated primarily to getting Medicare rebates for midwifery services in Australia. In this country, midwives are the only group of recognised health professionals that are not included in the Medicare system, and this situation has reduced choices for women across the country, escalated the cost of maternity care enormously and contributed to the shocking rates of intervention in childbirth that are occurring.

Despite many reports in maternity services (almost 40 Government and industry enquiries have investigated maternity services in Australia in the last 30 years) recommending that midwives be given a greater role in the provision of care, the medical lobby has worked hard to maintain their monopoly on birth services. Several landmark population based studies have proven that reliance on obstetricians as the primary care professionals for pregnancy and birth has given us poor outcomes (amongst the worst birth results in the western world), cost us millions of unnecessary dollars and reduced options for women.

The new political party will be highlighting these issues, amongst others, during the coming election campaign. They are actively recruiting members at present, prior to registering the party and planning the details of their policies. I encourage everyone in Australia who wants to see better births, more equitable and sustainable maternity services and long overdue recognition of midwifery to get involved. Their website outlined their aims and plans - check it out for more information and join up today.

Posted by andrea at May 01, 2007 08:43 AM