“There is a solution to 3rd world maternity care in rural areas. Not one more Australian woman needs to face the danger of roadside birth and the Federal and State Governments have had the answer for five years.” said Justine Caines, Policy adviser for the Maternity Coalition and rural mum of six.

Our rural GP’s are important but utilising them for the majority of normal pregnancies is insane. GP’s must be used for cases that require medical intervention. Midwifery clinics are the proven safe answer to returning local maternity services.”

In rural Australia most midwives work to a fraction of their capacity. Midwives are educated and registered to provide the ENTIRE care for healthy women, detect abnormality and provide emergency assistance.”

“Why are midwifery clinics not being established in rural communities? Medical lobby groups resist their establishment whilst Doctors complain of overwork and being unable to provide services.”

“Midwives are actually leaving the profession because they are unable to work to capacity. The very midwives that should be caring for the majority of healthy pregnancies, reserving our valuable GP’s for when we need them.”

“Countries, like New Zealand, Canada and the U.K utilise their health workforce much better, the majority of women are cared for by midwives, only women with medical complications are cared for by a Doctor.”

“Rural women have been asking state and federal ministers for local midwifery clinics for 5 years. However, politicians pander to vested interests rather than implementing the proven safety of midwifery clinics.”

“Roadside birth is a result of political inaction rather than clinical necessity. When will the voice of rural women be heard?”

Australia’s National Maternity Consumer Advocacy Organisation
http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au