Sunday
Aug232009
Aussie Labor Party Put a Bit of Rancid Ham in a Legislative Sandwich
Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 8:28AM
Andrew Laming attacks Labor’s sneaky attempt to snuff out home births in Australia
Related:
Ilithyia Inspired (Sarah critiqued the speech)
Homebirth: A Midwife Mutiny in South Australia
Keep Homebirth with a Midwife Legal in Australia!
Aussie Debate Over Private Versus Public Hospital
Aussie Hospital Debate, Take Two
The Mother of All Rallies on September 7, 2009 in Canberra (confirm your attendance on Facebook)
Reader Comments (7)
WOW. What a speech! I got chills! WTG, Mr. Laming!
That is the most impassioned speech on home birth by a man that I have ever seen. He is amazing! I have my fingers and toes crossed that home birth does not get banned in Australia.
I love it when dudes talk about how important women's rights are.
I know, right? Makes me all tingly inside. ;)
In my circumstances, I still feel nervous despite what he says. He very carefully says 'low risk'. What is low risk? low risk is in the eye of the beholder. I have a history of 2 c/sections, and I wonder if I fit into his definition of 'low risk'. Because I have had 2 c/sections, my only homebirth options (twice now) have been with an independant midwife - the category of midwife they are trying to criminalise with this bill. In Western Australia where I live, the community midwifery programme is government funded and protected already by this bill - it is a programme that I am considered too 'high risk' to take part in. So I am going to be a bit of a sceptic - I think he is kind of arguing just for the sake of being on the opposite political party. unless I'm radically misinterpretting what he said?
On the other hand, if things can be 'changed' in order that they may remain as they have been, ie, independant midwives are not criminalised, then the 'risk' argument is moot, I suppose.
I agree with Rebecca.
I also want to say that I have a difficult time supporting any legislation, policy, or compromises that would require midwives to risk patients out of their practices, instead of leaving the decision up to them and the women they are serving. I have no problems with midwives becoming licensed if they wish to, putting themselves under hospital, legislative, or insurance practice guidelines if they want to, but I don't think these should be required for a midwife to privately practice and attend homebirths. High-risk women like me, who have insulin-dependent diabetes, women carrying twins, or breech babies, women who, like me, who wish to vbac at home--we are the losers whenever people start trying to police midwifery. "Low Risk" becomes a very narrow road when used in this context. This is my single greatest fear if the US does go with a single-payer insurance company. The AMA, ACOG, AAP--all of these are very powerful lobbyists in our legislative system--they have unparalleled respect and authority, deep pockets, and a very loud voice. I am so afraid that even if, some day, we do get home birth midwifery recognized as "legitimate" across the nation, that the women who actually qualify for these services will be so few that it will actually be a worse situation than it is currently. At least now, if I want to homebirth, "all" I have to do is find a midwife willing to attend me. I am intelligent, educated, and strong. I understand the risks; I understand the benefits. Let ME be responsible for me (and my baby)!
Okay, I'm done ranting now. :)
Rebecca and Kari... check out this post which I found via Ilithyia Inspired:
Consumers are not stakeholders, it would seem, when birth is discussed.