Last time I posted about birth politics, there was a lot of discussion… so I thought you might like to know about this event.
This isn’t about homebirth vs hospitals, or doctors vs midwives. It’s about women having the right to choose their own healthcare provider.
If I have a sore back, I don’t have to ask a doctor’s permission before I visit a chiropractor. If my baby isn’t sleeping well at nights, I don’t have to ask a doctor’s permission before I go to a child health nurse for advice or referral to other services. If I want my pregnancy terminated in first trimester, I have the right to make that choice without a doctor being able to veto it. So if a normal, healthy woman wants to see a private midwife (which she will pay extra for), why does she have need a doctor’s approval?
This doesn’t happen in New Zealand, the UK or Canada – so why are Australian women not considered smart enough or trustworthy with the nation’s future population to choose their own healthcare provider?
Flame retardant suit on – fire at will.
Do you think Australian women, not Kevin Rudd should make decisions about their own healthcare? If so come and support us at 10am on Thursday 18 February outside Senator Kate Lundy’s office, Ground Floor of Law Society Building, 11 London Circuit, Canberra. This is part of a National Day of Action, with events around Australia.
Join the Facebook Group. Visit the MyBirth website for Campaign tools & Event details
– posters to download and distribute, banners for your website/blog and register to be notified of upcoming events in your area.
When having a baby do you want to make choices about your health care?
New reforms introduced by the Rudd Government were meant to increase support to women, giving them the option of choosing a midwife to care for them.
Many women have said they would love this care, especially because the care would come from one midwife from early pregnancy, through labour and birth and up to six weeks after the birth. The best part being, many midwives provide home visits! Pure Luxury.
Many Mums think this care is long overdue!
Enter the problem! The Australian Medical Association has decided that women will only be able to choose midwifery care if a Doctor agrees. This means if a doctor is not prepared to support the local midwives, then women will not have access to care. This also affects women in regional Australia and indigenous communities, who already have limited access to healthcare choices, because it is much harder for doctors and midwives to maintain good professional relationships when they are hundreds of kilometres away from each other.
We believe while women may seek advice and support from their doctor that ultimately they have the right to make decisions about their bodies.
There are events running in every State so spread the word!