Mums push hard for midwife funding

By Casey Neill
HILLS mothers, bubs and mums-to-be have called for Federal Government midwife funding last Wednesday.
Dozens enjoyed the sunshine at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and documented their maternity care experiences for a national Maternity Services Review.
The women, during a picnic, called on the Federal Government to make one-to-one midwifery care available to all Australian women.
The Homebirth in the Hills event also coincided with National Homebirth Awareness Week.
Homebirth in the Hills provides peer support for women during and after pregnancy.
Coordinator Elspeth Ives wants midwives to be the default maternity care in Australia.
She said the current health system channelled women towards a medical model of care.
The Monbulk mother of three gave birth to her first child in a public hospital.
“It was very bewildering to give birth among a room full of strangers,” she said.
She said the experience was ‘very medical’ despite being a low risk birth.
“I was shattered,” she said.
Ms Ives turned to a midwife when she was pregnant with Walter, 4.
“Home birth for me was thrilling,” she said.
There is no Medicare rebate for independent midwives for home births, leaving families to foot the bill.
“The cost is prohibitive for many,” Ms Ives said.
Midwife Andrea Bilcliff has assisted in more than 150 home births.
She said women were more relaxed at home, and could choose who was present when they delivered.
A woman giving birth at a hospital may not have even met her attending midwife, let alone introduced her to family and friends.
Shift changes could see a midwife interchange partway through the birth.
“Having someone they know and trust is important,” Ms Bilcliff said.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced the Maternity Services Review in May.
The review will identify gaps in current services and help develop a national maternity services plan.
A report will be presented to Ms Roxon by the end of the year.