Does the Stanhope Government care about mothers and babies

MATERNITY COALITION NEWS RELEASE

Maternity Coalition celebrates International Women’s Day but when will the Stanhope Government give Canberra women cause for celebration?

The ACT Branch of the Maternity Coalition are inviting all women to come and celebrate International Women’s Day with a special Women as Mothers event in Glebe Park on Saturday 12 March from 10.30am with yoga, food and fun. The event recognises this very special aspect of so many women’s lives.

Yoga teacher, mother and member of ACT Maternity Coalition, Kemi Baruwa will lead an introductory yoga session for mothers and babies from 10.30am on the day. There will also be speakers, stalls and a sausage and tofu sizzle and drinks available.

“But we’d like the ACT Government to give Canberra women more cause for celebration,” said Ingrid McKenzie, President of the ACT Branch of the Maternity Coalition. “The women of Canberra have been waiting almost a year for the Government’s response to the report of the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Health Pregnant Pause which made a number of very important recommendations concerning maternity services in the ACT, not least of which was an expansion of the Canberra Midwifery Program which operates out of the Birth Centre at the Canberra Hospital.

“The Canberra Midwifery Program is the only maternity service which enables a woman to get to know her midwife during pregnancy, have that midwife at the birth and provide her postnatal care and support. This one-to-one care has been shown by numerous medical studies to be the safest form of care for at least 80% of pregnant women. Currently only 5% of women can access this service. Each month the Canberra Midwifery Program turns away at least 30 women. Women who ring to book in who are more than 5 weeks pregnant cannot get on to the program.

“Women in their role as mothers do not appear to be high on the Government’s priority list.”

“Women are queuing to receive this care which is supported by evidence to be safer and more cost-effective. How long do Canberra women have to wait?” asked Ms McKenzie.

Come and meet some women who want access to best practice maternity care in Canberra.

10.30am – 12pm Glebe Park (opp Holy Grail) Canberra city.

For more information contact

Ingrid McKenzie
President, Maternity Coalition ACT Branch
0412 341 209