Homebirth Australia

NEWS RELEASE
Thursday August 6 2009
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 210 273

Hundreds of women expected outside AMA office in Melbourne.  Telling the AMA to but out - Challenging Rudd to honour health reform promise.

Women and babies will gather outside AMA’s Victoria office from 10.45am:  293 Royal Parade PARKVILLE (Melways 29 G12)...
Read Full Article»

NEWS RELEASE
Sunday January 17 2010
Contact: Justine Caines  0408 210 273

AMA Campaign likely to drive homebirth underground putting women and babies at risk: Minister Roxon must put the welfare of women and babies ahead of the interests of the AMA

The Medical Journal of Australia will release a paper tomorrow claiming increased death rates from homebirths in South Australia over a 16-year period (1991-2006).

“When one actually reads the data we find none of the sensational claims are able to be made.  The research is fundamentally flawed and reporting claims of increased death linked to homebirth is simply not supportable.” said Justine Caines, Secretary of Homebirth Australia and mother of seven home born children.

Of the 9 deaths reported, 7 occurred in hospital and 2 at home.  The researchers are unable to determine facts around transfer and as such unable to draw any real conclusions.  Important facts to note is that a number of deaths include conditions that would have resulted the baby dying, something that was known beforehand with a decision being made to give birth in hospital.

“Women may have chosen homebirth in early pregnancy, then to find serious complication or abnormality, only to then choose hospital birth.  How can this be considered ‘unsafe’?  Isn’t this exactly what obstetricians call for?” asked Ms Caines

“AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce has taken this flawed study to dangerous heights.  This is irresponsible and we consider his actions could be very dangerous for women choosing homebirth.”  Said Ms Caines

“To date Health Minister, Nicola Roxon and even Kevin Rudd have been spellbound by the AMA, acting in its members’ interests, rather than those of women choosing to birth at home.” said Ms Caines

“It’s time to grow up.  We challenge Prime Minister Rudd to declare homebirth unsafe and establish legislation to make it unlawful or provide appropriate funding and insurance protection for private homebirth care.” said Ms Caines

“The AMA considers a woman choosing caesarean section without any medical need totally acceptable and the Australian taxpayer funds the huge cost.  A woman choosing to maximise her chances of health and wellbeing through homebirth is discriminated against with no funding or insurance protection.  It would seem Minister Roxon does not have the ticker to put women ahead of the AMA.  This cannot continue.”

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AMA Needs to put up or shut up. Either make steps to outlaw homebirth, making it illegal for women or support their right to make choices.

Current political campaign places women and the babies in danger:

The philosophical stance of the AMA and its political campaign to drive homebirth underground could place the lives of women and their babies.

See articles in the following links:  (MJA Articles 1[pdf]) & (MJA Articles 5[pdf])

Despite the sensationalist claims of a 7 fold death increase and a 27 fold increase in intrapartum asphyxia, the research actually found

 9 deaths - 2 born at home and 7 in hospital. Of these, only 3 are related to intrapartum asphyxia.
 
The deaths were: (1) one had lethal congenital abnormalities (known beforehand and a decision made to be born at home),
(2) 1 had Hydrops  Fetalis and (born in hospital), (3) 1 was unexplained with a cord entanglement (born in hospital), (4) 1 had pulmonary hypoplasia after a early rupture of membranes and (born in hospital), (5) 1 was growth restricted with an abnormal karotype (born in hospital) and (6) 1 postdates, birth in hospital without fetal monitoring (the woman refused) and eventuated in a stillbirth and (7) one was a woman with known haematological risk factors whose baby had a lethal abnormality.
 
Of the 2 other deaths, (8) one was at home after a waterbirth which was not found to be the cause of death but increased monitoring may have identified the baby was in distress and (9) one was a second twin (first twin born at home and second twin born after a delay in transfer).

Therefore 3 deaths in 16 years - two of which had risk factors. Therefore, 1 death in 16 years where there were no risk factors.  One Death in 16 years in a woman with no complication, and yet we will see headlines of 7 times the death rate and 27 times the rate of intrapartum asphyxia.  To report this is DISHONEST

There were no differences in Apgar scores or NICU admissions. One of the studies flaws is that the planned home birth group includes women who planned at booking but then developed risk factors and had their babies in hospital. Is the AMA saying that midwives and women who refer and consult and then decide to birth in hospital instead of home is inappropriate? This paper is trying to mount an argument with information that is simply not there.

The paper also highlights a system found to be so terrible for some women that they choose to give birth outside of it than in it, even with risk factors. Therefore, this is an indictment on the current system - that needs  a major overhaul - not removing homebirth.

This is politically driven.  We demand that Health Minister Roxon and Prime Minister Rudd put the safety of women and babies ahead of the interests of the AMA. Currently the AMA has an ‘open line’ to the Minister and P.M’s office and yet the door is firmly closed to Homebirth Australia.

Rudd says the health reform buck stops with him.  OK, P.M Rudd enable all Australian women equity of choice and insurance protection, fund and indemnify private homebirth.

SEE ATTACHMENTS (Also Below): (MJA Articles 1[pdf]) & (MJA Articles 5[pdf])

LAST CHANCE to prevent medical control of women's choice and midwifery practice

Dear Supporter of choice in childbirth

Last chance to prevent medical control of women’s choice and midwifery practice

Recently
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert was successful in passing the Medicare
related legislation with the wicked amendment (requiring midwives to
have a formal collaboration agreement with an individual Dr in order
for a midwife to seek registration and practice privately, thus giving
the Dr the ability to control women's choice and midwifery practice) to
a Senate Committee. YES ANOTHER COMMITTEE, but an important to chance
to show the women of the Australian Labor Party that have sold women's
rights down the river that we are NOT GOING TO GIVE UP

Please see
below all the relevant info, but please NOTE that submissions close
DECEMBER 11 - Not long.  The Committee prefers to receive submissions
electronically as an attached document – email:
community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au – otherwise by fax (02) 6277 5829

We don't need reams in your submission, just simple information, especially personal stories:

Important facts to include if you can:

How
you as a woman and consumer or as a homebirth/continuity midwife was
treated when interacting with obstetrics or the 'system'

Your
stories as a consumer or midwife when interacting with the system. This
may have nothing to do with homebirth. It may be a hospital planned
birth (and the reason you then chose homebirth!!). What we are wanting
to demonstrate is that obstetrics and midwifery are so vastly different
and there is no way obstetrics can 'oversee' midwifery.

It is
important to remind the Senators of the time taken by obstetricians
(particularly in labour) as opposed to the care received by a
continuity midwife. The skill accrued by watching and waiting for women
in labour.  The clinical and psycho social safety of the relationship
formed. The fact that obstetricians see 200-300 women per year and a
full time midwife 40.  The vast difference in the models of care.

Women's rights of informed consent and right of refusal.

Where
have the reproductive rights of women gone? What about the established
legal concepts of right of refusal/informed consent???

Sure I
have the right, but if I exercise it I will be denied a Registered
Midwife.  In the U.K, Canada and New Zealand women have the right to
make decisions (as long as they are informed and of sound mind) and a
midwife is still able to attend a woman (on the basis of duty of care).

See all relevant info below and remember we broke a record last time with 2507 submissions. PASS this on, get your partner to write as well and anyone else and let's smash this record by 11 DECEMBER.

Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009
and two related Bills

On
23 November 2009, the Senate again referred the Health Legislation
Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 and two related
Bills, together with the Government's proposed collaborative
arrangements amendments, to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee
for inquiry and report by 1 February 2010. The Committee has been asked
to consider the impact of the proposed amendments in a number of areas.
The full terms of reference are attached.

The Bills and
amendments circulated may be accessed at the following links, and to
further assist you the Government amendments are also attached.

Health
Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009
<http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4151%22>

Midwife
Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill 2009
<http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4153%22>

Midwife
Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009
<http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4152%22>

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%...

The
Committee invites you to provide a written submission addressing the
terms of reference, in particular the proposed Government amendments on
collaborative arrangements. Submissions should be lodged by 11 December
2009. The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an
attached document – email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au – otherwise
by fax (02 6277 5829).
The same privilege provisions that applied to
your previous submission are applicable. Information relating to Senate
Committee inquiries, including notes to assist in the preparation of
submissions for a Committee, can be located on the Internet at
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm
<http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm>

Date Posted: 3rd of December, 2009

Have Rudd and Roxon sold women’s rights in a dirty deal with the AMA???

Last week, Health Minister, Nicola Roxon reveled she will amend the ‘Medicare for Midwives’ legislation to require a midwife claiming Medicare benefits to work with an Obstetrician or GP/Ob.  This spells the certain death of homebirth but also strips the right of midwives to their rightful practice as health professionals in their own right.
Read On...

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday October 26 2009

Homebirth Awareness Week:
Celebrate or Commiserate? Minister’s Weakness and Bureaucrats ignorance continues

This week marks Homebirth Awareness week.  Homebirth Australia fears that this time next year Australian women will not have the option of homebirth...
more »

Virtual Rally Tickets now closed

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have purchased a virtual rally ticket.  The response was amazing.  If you have purchased a virtual rally ticket, you may be contacted by HBA requesting your send back address.  This is only used so we can send you your virtual rally ticket to you after the Mother of all Rallies in Canberra.  If you have any concerns or questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

Documentary "Politics of Birth": chance to have your say

A broadcast documentary is being made about homebirth and the debate surrounding the proposed legislation and the right of women to choose how and where they give birth.  The film makers are inviting those who are attending the Canberra rally to have their say.  Read more »

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday August 16 2009

Roxon joins mother of birthing battles

THE Rudd Government's threatened ban on home births is moving closer to reality.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon should be congratulated for offering the patients of hospital-based midwives access to Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. But she stands condemned for denying women the right to be cared for by a midwife at home.
Read Full Article (http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/roxon-joins-mother-of-birthing-battles-200...) »

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday August 11 2009

Insurance measures could force homebirths underground, Opposition says

HOMEBIRTHS will be driven underground by Rudd Government moves to force midwives to be insured.  Some 200 midwives could be driven to practice clandestine homebirthing because they will be denied indemnity insurance, the Opposition says.
Read Full Article (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25914187-662,00.html) »

NEWS RELEASE
Thursday August 6 2009
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 210 273

2500+ submissions received. A likely Senate record.
Women tell Minister Roxon their rights matter



The intersection of two pieces of proposed legislation has the ability to make homebirth midwifery unlawful in Australia.  Bills related to Medicare are under review of the Community Affairs Committee. Public hearings will be held today on an issue that is shaping up to be the catalyst of a new wave of feminism.
Read Full Article»

NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday August 4 2009
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 210 273, Fiona Hallinan 0425760888

Health Reform: Rudd and Roxon may want it,
But the Bureaucrats Don’t

Mothers and midwives have gathered today outside Minister Roxon’s Melbourne electorate office to personalise this campaign. Come and hear real stories from women encountering the maternity system (Hospital and home).  If we can’t get maternity care right when occupies the greatest number of hospital beds, there is no way we will achieve overall reform.” said Ms Caines.
Read Full Article»

NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday June 24 2009

Contact: Justine Caines 0408 210 273



Health Minister Denies Women their basic rights

Homebirth Australia today slammed the exclusion of homebirth from insurance schemes for midwives announced by the Health Minister Nicola Roxon in parliament today. 

“Effectively two pieces of legislation will outlaw midwives providing homebirth care from July 2010” said Justine Caines, mother of seven and secretary of Homebirth Australia.

“Women will continue to homebirth, but will now be forced to do so without the assistance of a qualified professional.” said Ms Caines.

“It is unacceptable and unsafe to force a woman into a choice that is not optimal for her, whether that is a hospital birth or a birth at home without midwifery support. It is absolutely impossible to understand the government’s position on this, other than to say that they have bowed to political pressure from medical lobby groups.”

The National Maternity Service Review received submissions from hundreds of women wanting access to homebirth services.  The vast majority of homebirth services are provided by private practice midwives.  Removing this option is likely to end access for most women to homebirth.

Ms Caines called on all ALP members to declare their view on a woman’s right to self determination of her health care needs.  “If the ALP is so hell bent on preventing women from accessing homebirth as an option I ask all ALP members to publically state their position on this.

It appears that having a Health Minister who is a woman, a recent mother, and a lawyer understanding consumers’ rights, is not proving to be an advantage for women. Removing women’s rights to the point where we are back providing care in dark alleys or in back rooms is ridiculous in 2009.”

Interviews/photos with Homebirth mothers and babies please contact
 Justine Caines on 0408 210 273

Who Are We?

Homebirth Australia is the peak homebirth body.  Our members are consumers, midwives and related health professionals committed to ensuring the survival of homebirth as a birth option for Australian women, with the overall aim of national funding.

Homebirth Australia aims to:

• support the rights of homebirth parents to choose how, where and with whom they give birth.
• increase public awareness and acceptance of homebirth.
• provide communication and support to members of Homebirth Australia.
• provide information to parents planning homebirth.
• provide information, support and networking to service providers.
• convene an annual national conference.

Homebirth - Soon to be illegal?

Since 2001 midwives have been unable to purchase an indemnity insurance policy. This was due to global factors with the collapse of the insurance market after September 11 and a landmark obstetric birth injury case proving a payout of $11 million in 2002. Guild insurance was providing indemnity at the time and they made a straightforward economic decision. With just under 200 privately practising midwives paying approximately $800 per annum, there was simply not a large enough pool to fund a payout of the magnitude mentioned above. Medical Practitioners indemnity premiums were subsidised by the Howard Government and continue with over $900 million of tax-payers money has been spent to date.  Homebirth midwives continue to be denied professional parity.  Women choosing homebirth are treated as de-facto health consumers and are the only health consumers denied the protection of practitioner insurance.  If as planned homebirth midwives are unable to practice, women seeking homebirth care will be unable to access a registered midwife.

The Council of Australian Governments  (COAG) has prepared draft legislation to establish a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for all Health Professionals by July 2010.   This body will require evidence of medical or professional indemnity insurance to secure registration. This presents a very serious threat to women who want to access homebirth with a midwife. To date the Government have made it clear that they do not intend to provide indemnity insurance to private practice homebirth midwives. As a result these midwives will be unable to register, hence making it illegal for them to attend homebirths. Homebirth Australia sees this as a breach of basic human rights and possibly a contravention of Convention of the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

PLEASE SIGN OUR ONLINE PETITION (CLOSED)

Homebirth Rights Rally:

The MOTHER all of rallies. Bus loads of women and their families from across the country are descending on Canberra to fight for our rights to birth where and with whom we choose.

WHEN: Sept 7th @ 11.30am
WHERE: outside Parliament House, Canberra

You can register your commitment to attend on face book
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1641140582&v=feed&story_fbid=9419...

CAN’T COME?
Be a ‘virtual rallier’. For every person who is unable to attend we are organising a virtual rally in conjunction with our ‘live’ rally. Pledge $25, send us a head shot, your name and location and 25 words or less that you want the politicians to hear. We will mount your head shot onto a cardboard pregnant belly with your message, which will be attached to bamboo and will be placed in the ground outside Parliament House. Your pledge will go towards the cost of your cut and our continuing campaign.
Buy Virtual Rally Ticket»