NEWS RELEASE - Saturday May 8 2004

Mothers' Day Wish to Latham and Howard - More Supportive Maternity Care - Mother's Week of Action May 1-9

Women across Australia are joining forces demanding the Federal Government and Opposition take leadership in providing Australian women with better maternity care. In the week leading up to Mothers' Day women across the country will be holding rallies in protest against sub standard maternity care.

"The Baby Bonus and Baby Care packages are band aid remedies. Women and families need early intervention and support in pregnancy. Australia's maternity health care is failing women, and backward compared to other countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands." said Justine Caines National President of the Maternity Coalition and mother of 4.

"Women are crying out for better support in pregnancy, labour and early parenting. We know that the way to get the best outcomes for women is for them to have access to one-to-one care from a midwife you get to know really well through your pregnancy, who's there for you during your labour and in the first weeks of looking after a new baby - so why isn't this available to all women?" said Ms Caines

"Howard and Latham's policies are not taking a holistic view of parenting. Since 1985 there have been 30 parliamentary inquiries into maternity services all recommending improvements in maternity health care, yet nothing has been done." Women need more than a vote buying payment, they need support from a carer able to get to know them and follow them through pregnancy - a midwife." Said Ms Caines

Our maternity system has been designed to meet the needs of practitioners and large institutions and it is failing women. In New Zealand and the UK women have greater control in their care and choose to have one-to-one care from a midwife in large numbers.

"We demand that the federal government and opposition to include funding choice of midwifery care in their policies on improving care for new families." said Ms Caines

Associate Professor, Sally Tracy, says women are flocking to NSW's newest answer to best practice maternity care, a Midwifery Group Practice at Ryde Hospital, which offers one-to-one midwifery care with ready access to medical back-up if needed. "The interest since the service started on March 1 has been fabulous, again confirming that many women will choose midwifery care when able"

Associate Professor, James King, supports the consumer demand for more appropriate care. He says
"By utilising midwifery care in concert with other providers as required, we would be making more appropriate use of our scarce health professionals; could reduce unnecessary interventions and promote safe care for all women."

NSW EVENT: SATURDAY MAY 8
OUTSIDE CAMPBELLTOWN HOSPITAL
From 12.30 pm
Speakers: NSW Senators Kerry Nettle and Aden Ridgeway

Media Contact: Justine Caines 0408210273

P.O. Box 1190
Blackburn North,
Victoria 3130
Australia