Every Woman, Every Choice
April 2010: Ten simple steps to keep maternity reforms on track
1. Keep up that ‘business’ that makes babies! Some women may be waiting for all of this ‘Federal business’ to be sorted before they plan their next baby. But we need pregnant mamas to create the urgency needed to get the outcomes we want: Every Woman, Every Choice; including birth at home.
2. Keep up your membership to Maternity Coalition and other consumer and midwifery groups. In numbers we have strength. Without you, we are nothing. To renew your membership with MC, go to our website www.maternitycoalition.org.au
3. Keep up the pressure to the politicians. If you haven’t written/visited your Federal MP for awhile, get back in touch and tell him/her that birth and birth care really matter to women and families, and we expect governments to take responsibility for the quality of care and choices available to women [how do you see this yourself?]
4. Keep your ear to the ground. We are in ‘election mode’ even though the Federal election has not yet been called. If you hear a Community Cabinet meeting is to be held in your area get the word out to MC, other groups and local women. Attend your MP’s ‘street clinics’ when they are in your local area and chat with them about birth and maternity care.
5. Keep commenting when we are asked for feedback. The National Health and Medical Research Council has released its draft ‘Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care’. This is a very important document. They are asking for feedback on this document and want it by Friday 27 April. For more information go here: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/consult/consultations/ngcmc.htm. When you read it, ask yourself how these arrangements would work for you as a consumer.
6. Keep talking to your friends, family (and even strangers!) about what birth means to women and their families. Remind them that this is not about ‘natural birth’ this is about women’s fundamental right to make choices for themselves and their babies.
7. Keep responding to media interest in this by writing your own letter to the editor. Or send a photo of your newborn baby for the birth announcements and make sure you mention (if relevant) that a midwife helped your baby out – and highlight whether your baby was born at home or in a Birth Centre or a Midwifery Group Practice. The wider community needs to become more familiar with all these options.
8. If you are a midwife: Keep talking to your women and their partners and family about the benefits of midwifery care and the politics behind it. Informed, passionate and motivated women are the lifeblood of Maternity Coalition and other consumer groups.
9. If you are a midwife: Keep women-centred care as your priority outside of appointment times too. If you are fortunate enough to ‘bump’ into politicians visiting your hospital or local area (especially the PM or Health Minister), make sure you introduce yourself as a midwife and talk to them about how these reforms are (or not) meeting the needs of women.
10. Keep smiling. Stay empowered. We know that birth is special. We know that women are strong. We know that this is about supporting our women so they can be strong mothers, to make strong families to make stronger communities. Please share this list with everyone you know.
Questions and Answers on the Federal Maternity Reforms
1. Keep up that ‘business’ that makes babies! Some women may be waiting for all of this ‘Federal business’ to be sorted before they plan their next baby. But we need pregnant mamas to create the urgency needed to get the outcomes we want: Every Woman, Every Choice; including birth at home.
2. Keep up your membership to Maternity Coalition and other consumer and midwifery groups. In numbers we have strength. Without you, we are nothing. To renew your membership with MC, go to our website www.maternitycoalition.org.au
3. Keep up the pressure to the politicians. If you haven’t written/visited your Federal MP for awhile, get back in touch and tell him/her that birth and birth care really matter to women and families, and we expect governments to take responsibility for the quality of care and choices available to women [how do you see this yourself?]
4. Keep your ear to the ground. We are in ‘election mode’ even though the Federal election has not yet been called. If you hear a Community Cabinet meeting is to be held in your area get the word out to MC, other groups and local women. Attend your MP’s ‘street clinics’ when they are in your local area and chat with them about birth and maternity care.
5. Keep commenting when we are asked for feedback. The National Health and Medical Research Council has released its draft ‘Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care’. This is a very important document. They are asking for feedback on this document and want it by Friday 27 April. For more information go here: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/consult/consultations/ngcmc.htm. When you read it, ask yourself how these arrangements would work for you as a consumer.
6. Keep talking to your friends, family (and even strangers!) about what birth means to women and their families. Remind them that this is not about ‘natural birth’ this is about women’s fundamental right to make choices for themselves and their babies.
7. Keep responding to media interest in this by writing your own letter to the editor. Or send a photo of your newborn baby for the birth announcements and make sure you mention (if relevant) that a midwife helped your baby out – and highlight whether your baby was born at home or in a Birth Centre or a Midwifery Group Practice. The wider community needs to become more familiar with all these options.
8. If you are a midwife: Keep talking to your women and their partners and family about the benefits of midwifery care and the politics behind it. Informed, passionate and motivated women are the lifeblood of Maternity Coalition and other consumer groups.
9. If you are a midwife: Keep women-centred care as your priority outside of appointment times too. If you are fortunate enough to ‘bump’ into politicians visiting your hospital or local area (especially the PM or Health Minister), make sure you introduce yourself as a midwife and talk to them about how these reforms are (or not) meeting the needs of women.
10. Keep smiling. Stay empowered. We know that birth is special. We know that women are strong. We know that this is about supporting our women so they can be strong mothers, to make strong families to make stronger communities. Please share this list with everyone you know.
Questions and Answers on the Federal Maternity Reforms