Hello and welcome to my thoughts

I have just returned from my visit to a Balinese birth clinic where Tessa and I worked as volunteers for 5 weeks. It was an interesting experience dealing with the different midwifery model that exists there as well as the cultural differences including language of course and the politics of birth. More on Bali when I work out how to set it all up with photos.

I have come back into Australia and run full on into the political challenges that face us as homebirth mothers, fathers and midwives. My work with homebirth now spans 28 years beginning with the births of my children Beth, Tessa, Sol and Maia, all at home. My belief that birth is an intrinsically safe and normal process is the foundation of my midwifery work as well as my strong belief that how we give birth does matter, to us as women and mothers, to our partners as men and fathers, to our family and extended families and therefore to our community and society as well. Gentle birth, sacred birth, strong women and families.

If the current planned legislative changes to control the workplace of midwives through lack of indemnity insurance are allowed to pass, then effectively there will be NO MORE LEGAL HOMEBIRTHS in Australia from July 2010. What a ridiculous situation! How has this come to pass? Sure, families will still be able to birth by themselves or with non-registered attendants but if they choose to birth with a registered midwife then she and possibly the families too will be liable to fines of $30,000.

I really like this Song to Nicola Roxon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvYvcsW7ZcQ
Hopefully we'll all find our voices at the rally in Canberra on 7th September. I'll be there if my early September baby arrives first! See the Homebirth Australia website for more information - if you can't actually attend the rally, you can be a 'virtual presence'. Go to http://www.homebirthaustralia.org/

Check in again soon when I've learnt more about this blogging beast!!