Future Birth 2009

Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives

For a midwife, every birth she attends provides an opportunity to make a difference for the labouring woman. Every positive impact we make at an individual level has the power to forge wider collective changes, for the women in our community, for midwives themselves and for the health care system as a whole. It is important work, linked directly to the health and well being of women across the country.

This final event in the Future Birth series, celebrates and explores the differences that can be made by improving maternity care. Every two years, starting in 1992, Birth International has assembled leaders in maternity care from around the world, each with a special message and expertise to share on the broad theme of improving maternity care. This year, we carry on this proud tradition with a special team who will excite, enthuse, uplift and encourage midwives to continue making a difference for women in their care.

Continuing Professional Development Points

This workshop has been awarded 5 CPD points by the Australian College of Midwives for those midwives enrolled in the MidPLUS program

Join us for this very special event!

Program 9.15 am    Welcome Andrea Robertson Director, Birth International 9.30 am    Using the evidence to make a difference Denis Walsh Midwives work at many levels, often using their intuition and innate connections with women to facilitate normal birth. The research evidence provides the ammunition to support this approach and can be used to challenge unhelpful policies and protect midwives and women from harm. 10.45 am    Refreshments 11.15 am    Making a difference for Aboriginal women Sue Kildea The plight of Aboriginal women who are often forced to give birth in socially inappropriate birth places has been highlighted in a number of reports. Finding ways of meeting their health, cultural, emotional and psychological needs demands care and sensitivity - find out how this can be done. 12.30 pm    Lunch 1.30 pm    Collaboration in the labour room - teamwork can make a difference Lynne Staff and Kirsten Small The success story of the Maternity Unit at Selangor Private Hospital in Nambour, Queensland, has become well known. A major key to its exceptional outcomes has been the strong collaborative approach adopted by their midwives and obstetricians. Discover the secrets of their success and explore ways of implementing their approach in other maternity units. 3.15 pm    Refreshments 3.45 pm    Midwives (and that means you!) can make a difference! Sandy Kirkman With wit, charm and common sense, Sandy will demonstrate the many ways that one person can make a difference for labouring women, their own personal practice and the world at large. Let’s celebrate our successes, examine new possibilities and leave with a smile on our faces. 4.30 pm    Close Registration Your registration includes lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments and Seminar folder. Your place will be confirmed in writing, together with a receipt (Tax Invoice) and details on how to find the venue. Individual registration: AUD$235.00 (incl GST) Student registration: AUD$150.00(incl. GST) flat rate Group discounts: AUD$210.00 (incl GST) Group discounts are offered on the following basis: 6 or more registration forms, plus one cheque or credit card (only one receipt issued, with all names listed). No names can be added after the booking is processed. Substitutes will be accepted, if notified in advance.				The Speakers Denis Walsh Denis is Reader in Normal Birth, University of Central Lancashire, UK and an Independent Midwifery Consultant. Originally from Queensland, he trained as a midwife in Leicester, UK and has worked in a variety of midwifery environments over the past 20 years. His PhD was on the Birth Centre model and he is the author of Evidence-Based Care for Normal Labour and Birth. He teaches on evidence and skills for normal birth across Europe and Australia. Sue Kildea Sue is an Associate Professor of Midwifery at Charles Darwin University. She has a strong research record of working with Aboriginal co-researchers and her interests are in safety, quality and professional collaboration in maternity care, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Her international experience includes midwifery consultancies' in Indonesia and Mongolia. Sue and Molly Wardaguga, a Senior Aboriginal Health Worker from Maningrida, were the joint recipients of the UTS Human Rights Award in 2004 for their contribution to advancing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.. Lynne Staff Lynne has been a midwife for 25 years. She has worked in the public and private maternity care sectors, established a home birth practice on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, and has been involved in midwifery education programs, both hospital and university-based. She helped establish the Nambour-Selangor Private Hospital Maternity Unit in 1997, where she continued to work up until June this year. She completed an Honours project in 2006, investigating women’s experience of Caesarean and their choice for a non-medically indicated Caesarean for a first birth. Kirsten Small Kirsten caught her first baby in 1988 as a medical student and has been “hooked” on birth care ever since. After completing medical school, she undertook her specialty training in obstetrics and gynaecology. Along the way there was time to have 2 children of her own. Kirsten has always viewed birth care as a team activity with responsibility shared between the woman, her midwife and her obstetrician. She currently works at Nambour Selangor Private hospital. Sandy Kirkman Sandy had a broadly based midwifery career, spanning England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and has recently retired as a Principal Lecturer at the School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, where she played a key role in both education and research. Sandy now concentrates on pastoral care within her local community in Wales. As one of the most popular speakers on midwifery matters to ever visit Australia, her inclusion on this program was a "must". Dates & Venues Changes to the Future Birth tour schedule Due to the impact of the current global financial crisis, and other factors, we have been forced to curtail the Future Birth tour as originally planned. We deeply regret having to cancel the events planned for Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. The following events will go ahead: MELBOURNE The Willam Angliss Conference Centre 555 Latrobe Street (cnr King Street) Thursday March 26, 2009 SYDNEY South Wing, The Gallery Function Centre Level 6, Tower Building University of Technology Broadway Railway Square Sydney Friday March 27, 2009 BRISBANE The Amphitheatre The Bardon Centre Simpson's Road Bardon Saturday March 28, 2009 Book Sales Books by Denis Walsh and other selected titles will be available for sale on the day. Cheques, cash and credit cards are welcome. A full list of books and prices will be in your registration pack.