 | |
 |
|
| MC Member Organisations Homebirth Network of SA Inc We are a group of people who consider Homebirth a safe and natural way of birthing. We recognise the rights of women to choose how and where they birth their babies. We believe this is a fundamental right for all women especially in a time where birth is becoming increasingly medically managed and women's birthing power is diminished. Birth is a normal, healthy life-giving event and will occur naturally in the vast majority of women, just as ovulation, menstruation and conception generally occur naturally without medical management. We provide information about resources in the community that Network members have found useful during their pregnancies and preparation for Homebirth. This includes health practitioners and pre and postnatal services. We offer practical help and support to those who are considering or have had a Homebirth and are working towards greater public awareness and acceptance of Homebirth here in South Australia. How to go about having a Homebirth in South Australia:
Membership Membership of the Homebirth Network of SA Inc entitles you to receive our quarterly newsletter (containing birth stories, articles & up to date information about homebirth in SA), to borrow resources (books, videos etc) from our library and to have your say at our regular business meetings. We also hold coffee/tea mornings at least once a month at different locations around Adelaide. Our standard membership fee is $20 per year, although concessional membership is available at $15. Your money enables us to print and distribute the newsletter, print our booklet 'Homebirth in SA', pay stall fees at fairs/expos and purchase resources for our library. If you would like to become a member, please forward to us your name, postal address and telephone number along with payment, &/or contact us by any of means as listed above. Our Newsletter We produce a quarterly newsletter for our members that is filled with media articles; birth stories; profiles of independently practicing midwives; articles about various subjects & therapies as they relate to birth and pregnancy; statistics and other matters of interest related to Homebirth. There is also a resources section listing contact details of independent midwives, and other practitioners supportive of homebirth. We are happy to provide to you a copy of our newsletter but would appreciate a contribution to help cover our costs, unless you are already subscribing. Please contact us for a copy. Library resources Membership of the Homebirth Network of SA Inc entitles you to borrow books and videos from our library. Our resources are updated as finances allow and we are grateful for donations from our members to allow additional materials to be purchased. Some members also choose to donate books they found useful during pregnancy, and have finished with. The library is available at coffee mornings for borrowing/returning. At other times members may contact Tania at tan1969@tpg.com.au to arrange a time to access the library. We also have a birth pool available for hire at a cost of $30 per month. Coffee Mornings Our coffee mornings are held in different member's homes where all are welcome. We welcome anyone who is interested in Homebirth - whether to ask questions, find out more about the Network, meet an independent midwife, meet other women who have birthed at home, peruse our library, hear a birth story and share a light lunch. Dates, times and venues of coffee mornings are published in our newsletter, and we ask people to call the home of the coffee morning the evening before to let them know you will be attending (and check that plans have not changed). Information Evenings In the past these have been very well attended by members, independent midwives and parents-to-be considering homebirth as an option for them. The format is fairly informal where a video is watched, and people are encouraged to ask questions of the midwives and of other homebirthers. Midwives Homebirths in SA are generally attended by an independently practising midwife. 'Midwife' means 'with women'. An Independent Midwife provides one-to-one support and care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. They provide care that supports the natural process of labour wherever possible. The benefits of establishing a supportive relationship with a midwife with whom to labour and birth are numerous. Midwives provide safe outcomes for women and babies - The World Health Organisation states: 'the midwife is the most appropriate and cost effective type of health care provider to be assigned to the care of normal pregnancy and normal birth, including risk assessment and the recognition of complications.' (WHO 1996). Midwives are the 'experts' in their field. Pregnancy and labour are seen as normal life events that occur within the life of a family - this is the focus of the midwife's expertise. The majority of women have complication-free births when cared for by a known midwife. (Continuity of care). Birth Stories In our society, we rarely/never have the opportunity to attend births and learn firsthand about the entire experience, prior to giving birth ourselves. Asides from a lack of knowledge gained from experiencing this first hand, we tend to cultivate excessive fear of giving birth - a natural fear of the unknown. In many cultures women help and support their mothers, sisters, and friends during labour and birth, as well as being present at sibling's births as children. One way we can learn about the real experience of birth is via hearing and reading birth stories. Birth stories are a regular feature in our newsletters. They help expectant mothers, fathers and families prepare for birth, by having some idea of what to expect and what others experience. Birth stories are also shared regularly at coffee mornings (and most members are more than happy to share their story when asked). Business Meetings Business meetings are held every six weeks or so and are open to all members. Feel free to come along and give your input and ideas to the running of the network. The network is run by members who volunteer as co-ordinator, newsletter co-ordinator, treasurer, secretary, library co-ordinator, or just help out in whatever way they are able. Meeting dates are published at the back of the newsletter, or contact us for more information. Other information If you are still having trouble finding the information/support you need, or have any other questions, feel free to contact us:
| ||||||||||||||
| the maternity coalition - supporting women-centred care | ||
| Home | News | Press Releases | Events | | National Contacts State Branches | Member Organisations | National Maternity Action Plan | Birth Matters Journal Choices for Childbirth | Articles of Interest | Related Links | Other Resources | Join Maternity Coalition | ||
 | The Maternity Coalition Inc. inquiries@maternitycoalition.org.au ABN 82 691 324 728 | P.O. Box 1190 |
Redevelopment of website by Maxlink Media Services, 2002