MEETING: COMMUNITY MIDWIFERY/BIRTH CHOICES

HELD on 120501 at the IRIS Naturopathic Clinic

MINUTES

1. Meeting commenced 2.10pm

2. ATTENDED BY

Libby Davy & Bee

Marilyn Smith

Lisa Robertson & Kevin

Jann Lane

Cinde Fisher

Nickkie Dixon

Adee Hamil

Sherrie

Justyne & Wandu & India

APOLOGIES:

Pete Malavisi, Johanna Neville, Mary Murphy, Liz Bluntschi, Annemarie Hoyne, (lots and lots of others…TBA)

3. Meeting facilitated by Libby Davy. Copies of the Agenda distributed.

4. Marilyn gave an overview of last meeting – minutes not ready for distribution.

5. GROUND RULES

· Fun

· Respect

· Open

· Communication

· Maintain focus

· Sharing & support of others (reduce “load” & burnout)

· Education on all levels

· Be organised

· Get in touch with the broader community

· Non-judgmental

· OPEN - Be united as a group

6. WHAT DO WE WANT & WHEN?

NOW!

· Home Births & continuity of care during childbirth (midwivery & obstetric)

· Support from Community/families, Doulas, Midwives, Doctors > Hospital back-up

· Maintain current service (Pete Malavisi & Marilyn Smith, encourage Johanna Neville and others)

· Attract another midwife to assist, then another one or two depending upon demand

· Improve current facilities (hospital)

o Friendlier environment

o Bath within Birth Suite (water bath a preference, but difficult because of hospital protocol)

· Improved breastfeeding information/education, management, support & referral to Lactation Consultants (current access difficult) (BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL)

· More appropriate information packages for new mothers (as opposed to COMPANY packages currently given out)

· EDUCATION – Community based prenatal & postnatal (nominal fee until funding available - Greater recognition of Independent Midwives - Greater options for childbirth

FUTURE

· Funding for all Home Births in SW of WA

· Birth Centre

· Midwifery Resource & Services Centre (one in Bunbury but not assessable to Augusta-Margaret River)

· Government funded - Choice of midwives for individual couples

· Interpreters whilst in labour/hospital (support network of ethnic community)

· Obstetric medication required for Home Births to be available on the NHS (no charge if a hospital birth)

· Donations totalling $25 accepted by Marilyn towards obtaining initial stock (approximate cost being $95).

· Second set of delivery instruments & equipment

7. HOW ARE WE GOING TO ACHIEVE THIS?

· Support Pete & Marilyn

· Encourage Johanna

· Libby to promote group & advertise for another midwife (media releases, E-mail)

· Network with Busselton & Bunbury (car pool to Bunbury’s 1st meeting early June).

· Strength in numbers.

· Gather more information

· Organise forum with Tracy Reibel from Community Midwifery Program last Monday June Network with broader community once more organised

8. OUR NAME - DOWN SOUTH WA BIRTH CHOICES (working title)

9. FUNDING & OTHER IDEAS

· Mini books

· Handy Hints for Parenting

· Recipes

· Local Birth Stories (Marilyn to bring along a published “Birth Stories”. Invite Margo Edwards to help.

· Jann to approach Leanne Sutton of Steiner School.

· Raffles - Insufficient time to pursue

10. Insufficient time for Marilyn to discuss the Perth Workshop

11. Next meeting 26 May 2pm, India’s & Justyn’s place, Carters Road Community (sign out front)

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