By Jan Robinson – March 2008.

The Australian College of Obstetricians & Gynecology (ACOG) are twisting things again - they don't really understand that some professionals can be happy in the knowledge that more women are be becoming knowledgeable about their bodily functions - and KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!

If midwives have a vested interest in encouraging women to understand how to make their own analgesics and at the same time staying in control of their own birth processes then that is EMPOWERMENT. If midwives walk around with a smile on their face and shout it to the world then they too are EMPOWERED

There are two pictures of a smiling, empowered woman on the back page  of the current Maternity Coalition's Journal  "BIRTH MATTERS"   (If  some haven't seen these yet then get on to www.maternitycoalition.org.au and subscribe today.) The pictures labeled  "PRICELESS"  and "UNAFFORDABLE"  are just what the midwife ordered in terms of being great ammunition for political lobbying.

If you can't take a happy, satisfied client with you when you see your  local Federal MP this week then you can take these pictures with you.   They are bound to impress your MP.

NOW IS THE TIME TO USE THE WISDOM OF WOMEN and DEMAND THAT YOUR MP STARTS ASKING MINISTER ROXON QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THESE MC PICTURES WITH YOU IF YOU CAN'T TAKE A PREGNANT CLIENT (or one with a baby in her arms) ALONG

QUESTIONS YOU WANT YOUR FEDERAL MEMBER TO ASK DURING QUESTION TIME   ...

"HOW FAR HAS THE GOVERNMENT PROGRESSED IN MAKING MIDWIVES AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE TO ALL AUSTRALIAN WOMEN?

With respect we don't want to hear that they have advertised for a Federal Chief Nurse and Midwife.

We want a CHIEF MIDWIFE WHO STANDS ALONE and has a vested interest in setting up community midwifery services that reach out to rural women (who have always been the losers when it comes to accessing one-to-one midwifery care.)

"WHEN WILL ACCREDITED MIDWIVES HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICARE FUNDING SO THEY CAN PROVIDE FREE PREGNANCY SERVICES TO HEALTHY WOMEN?"

(Alternatively, midwives would like to see women who use one-to-one midwifery services receive an additional government payment so they are not out of pocket when they pay their midwife.)

"WILL THE GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE LEGISLATION THAT MAKES IT COMPULSORY FOR ALL PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS TO OFFER BENEFITS FOR PRIVATE MIDWIFERY CARE?"

While ever women can also keep smiling like the one on the back page of the MC Journal midwives will hold a legitimate place on the playing fields of Australian maternity services.

The numbers in the midwifery team are gradually increasing.

The numbers of obstetricians driving around with a frown on their face, wondering how many more operations they have to perform this week to make the million dollar mortgage and car lease payments, will gradually diminish.

Who knows, we might eventually see them riding eco-friendly bikes to work. I do know of one obstetrician who does this on a daily basis.

Private obstetricians will eventually have to accept that we all have a place on the playing field - and more often these days, the pregnant women will be the umpires.

Midwives and obstetricians should be working together towards SAFE AND SATISFYING BIRTHS for every woman.

Listening to the umpire instead of shouting her down would be a step in the right direction towards providing the right balance of birth choices that women want.   Jan Robinson (National Co-Ordinator & Editor, The Australian Society of Independent Midwives COMMUNIQUE) March 2008.

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