Midwives & Midwifery | Sunshine Coast | Know Your Midwife

Could this be right? I found interesting research that supports the labours I have witnessed in my own private practice of 8 years in New Zealand.

The authors and researchers of Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth included an international search of all trials that met their criteria and all medical journals from 1950 onwards, writing to over 40,000 obstetricians in 18 countries to identify unpublished studies. Their research is now incorporated into the Cochrane Data base.

They concluded from controlled trials that women who had continuity of carers were less likely to have a labour more than 6 hours duration, less likely to use pharmacological analgesia or anaesthesia during labour and birth, less likely to be induced or to have labour augmented with oxytocins. The women were also likely to feel more prepared for labour, felt safe and in control during labour, and felt well prepared for parenthood. ( Chalmers et al 1996, p 15 – 16)

Chalmers et al identify continuity of care from a qualified midwife as best practice for the health majority of women.

I believe the effectiveness of midwifery continuity of care largely stems from the relationships of partnership and mutual trust that builds up between the midwife and her client during the antenatal period. The midwife meets the woman’s emotional, psychological, physical, cultural needs, as well as her medical needs.

Typically commence in week 12-16 of pregnancy.
3 hour workshop – with up to 6 expectant mothers and, if desired, your partners – facilitated by a childbirth educator with guest speakers like nutritionists and physiotherapists.

Understand the nature and importance of mind and body preparation, health, exercise, relaxation and nutrition during pregnancy. Learn to communicate with and know your unborn child. Great for parents-to-be looking for information to make the choices that enhance their enjoyment of the journey from pregnancy to birth.

• Understand and explore the power of the mind in preparing for childbirth.
• Learn breathing, relaxation and visualisation techniques to practice throughout your pregnancy.
• Knowing the Unborn and the ways in which you can enhance their brain development, emotional and physical wellbeing during the pregnancy and prepare them for birth.
• Exercise in pregnancy (try out a free class in pilates, water aerobics or yoga which would be excellent to continue throughout your journey in pregnancy).
• Our physiotherapist will discuss back care, exercise and pelvic floor care in pregnancy. Our nutritionist will focus on food and diet in pregnancy.

The Royal College of Midwives’ Campaign for Normal Birth is a wonderful initiative that began in 2005 and continues to “inspire and support normal birth practice in the midwifery profession”.

RCM is witnessing the same things in the UK that we’re seeing here in Australia; “the last 30 years have seen significant changes in the social context of childbearing, and as a consequence midwives, doctors and women have become dependent on technology in labour and birth. This has occurred despite recommendations that a greater emphasis should be placed on the social context of childbirth and health.”

The Campaign for Normal Birth has a wonderful website full of interesting information. Expectant mothers on Australia’s Sunshine Coast might find it helpful to pay the website a visit. Much of what the campaign is striving to achieve is consistent with the goals of our private midwife practice at Know Your Midwife, which are best summarised in our Childbirth Manifesto. Our private childbirth/antenatal classes teach natural and powerful techniques to empower couples to achieve their goals for normal childbirth. Enquire about these classes on 0400901437.

Many Sunshine Coast expectant mothers are unaware that legislative changes may soon make it possible for them to use Medicare to secure the benefits of working with a private midwife.

As of November 1, 2010, appropriately experienced and qualified private midwife practices will be able to access the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS); the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); and enter into a defined and legislated “collaborative” arrangement with a Doctor. A Medicare-Eligible Midwife meets certain advanced requirements.

The long and short of all this is that in less than a month from now, clients of Medicare-eligible midwives are able to claim Medicare benefits for midwifery services and are able to have their midwife order and interpret tests, prescribe, supply and administer medications and access visiting rights to hospitals.

In recent weeks Know Your Midwife has passed the various application procedures set out by the government and midwifery profession to achieve the Medicare-Eligible status.

We’re delighted about this, because what it means is that cost is no longer such a barrier to helping mothers-to-be experience the benefits of Continuity of Care with a private midwife, and the impact this has on their birthing experience if they are birthing in a hospital.

Know Your Midwife is committed to finding excellent “collaborative” arrangements with medical practitioners who are suitable for the client and who will work respectfully with midwives. We are also negotiating visiting rights to hospitals on the Sunshine Coast.

More information on the endorsement to practice as an eligible midwife is available here.