Girls night out!

There’s nothing like a night out especially when you go out with a group of women. Now I say women, as opposed to girls, because girls denote young women or adolescent women not average age 50 year old women. However, it does sound good to say girl’s night out. We are out to celebrate Lorraine’s last girl’s night out as a single woman. Yes she is joining the ranks of happy married women.



There was much fun, chatting, catching up with friends that we have not socialised for a while with. The food at the Thai restaurant is always superb with ample to eat. Oh don’t forget the wine; bubbly always adds life to the conversation. There’s nothing better than to sit around sup some bubbly and share some funny stories about life, and do we have them, certainly do from babies to sex, oh did I say sex. You can’t have a girl’s night out without talking about sex, good, bad or indifferent.



I must say I was disappointed when it came to the discussion about how to prepare to the wedding night – there is the usual pre wedding, pamper session, facial, massage, nails, hair and trial makeup. That was all fine, however when it came to should Lorraine wax or not, have a Brazilian, high or normal wax, a trim and style perhaps a heart shaped surprise! To these suggestions came aghast of horror from my colleagues / friends, it just goes to show that age may play a part in this process. However I am in the same age group and am partial to a wax and to a heart shaped surprise! It adds zest to the relationship – after all, we are all midwives and there is nothing we haven’t encountered.



It is great to see Lorraine so happy and madly deeply in love, as the song goes, truly madly deeply – yes it warms the cockles of your heart. Rob is charming, they do seem well suited, after all he does love her apple and rhubarb pie. See there is some truth in the old saying "the way to a mans heart is through his stomach". I can't say what else he says she's good at, oh all right then, he says "my wife to be can crumb anything".
I loved my wedding day it was perfect and when I think of it, I smile that warm reassuring smile. There are times I think of Ian and just smile, it’s a wonderful feeling love, and it warms you from the inside and makes you feel brilliant. I am so fortunate. Thank you.

The trick is to maintain this kind of love, the truly, madly, deeply, in this busy world of ours. It is so easy to get caught up with work, life and children and put your relationship second; yes, on occasion I am guilty of this. Therefore we make the time to spend together to put ourselves first. I know that Lorraine and Rob will continue to have this truly madly deeply relationship and I wish them both the very best of everything. I am so looking forward to the wedding on Friday. It is just going to be fantastic.


Lorraine looking at her Rose bush 'Lucina' the midwife rose and her card with a fantastic gift voucher for David Jones, from all of us. "Happy Wedding"

Presenting to your peers!

Hoping the 'Dog Rose" strikes for my husband - his beloved Yorkshire Rose


I was asked last month to talk today about Scope of Practice and Career Pathways to some clinical development midwives, nurses and educators at my old hospital. My first thought was 'no'. However as usual you end up saying 'yes'. I normally don't worry about presentations but I was nervous about this one, the difference being that they are your peers. I feel particularly apprehensive in these situations, it is something I have to work on. Has anyone else experienced this feeling?

When you examine the career pathway for nurses and midwives, it can be limiting. However most importantly it is a continuous process of lifelong learning. As you progress up the stairway you can branch off into clincial specalist - education or non clincal fields, such as; project managers, research, or management areas - this then will lead to Director of Nursing. You will need to be considering masters and PhD by the time you reach the top.

The other issue is that sometimes it feels like you are teaching them to suck eggs, if you know that expression. What knowledge do you impart on people who know and teach the scope of practice? or guide others about career pathways.

I decided that I would set the scene with thinking about 'the self' being 'self aware' examining and processing how each individual approaches different life situations. Who are your role models, who do you aspire to be? for me this might be powerful women such as: Condoleezza Rice Catherine Hamlyn , Quentin Bryce and Fiona Stanley to name a few.

Also it is important to know what is it that you do in your spare time, what are your hobbies, how do you relax, wind down. This is all part and parcel of finding your career path because this all makes up who you are.
However most importantly you have to find out what is your passion, what is it that you like doing most, because once you find that out, you can then plan how you are going to achieve it.

A small step that every one can take is to set objectives or goals. This helps you when you are planning your future, 1 year, 3 year and 5 year plans. Some people found this daunting. If this is the case you need to take smaller steps, look three months ahead. Planning goals does not just apply to your work but your life as well. Set your holiday goals, when is your next overseas holiday, plan it and set it out. You will find once you set a goal it is easier to achieve, of course life can change and so do your plans, but get into the habit of setting goals.

I have always found it useful to set goals, short term and long term goals for both my work and personal life, it helps me achieve the things I want to in life.
If you don't set goals try it, see how well it works. Once you set the goal it is easier to plan how to achieve what ever it is you want.
Its all about taking little steps, when you look back you have reached the top of the stairway, and that's a tremendous feeling.

I am glad today is over, it all went well and according to plan, except once I start talking I can go off track and not stick to the game plan.

The take home message is set yourself a 12 month and 5 year plan, and watch it grow.

Yes luck with the Yorkshire Rose, lets hope they keep growing!

Time out for some fun! Shopping!

Wedding! what does the word conjure up? what is the first thing you think of when someone says the word WEDDING! it is a 'joining together' for me it is Love and commitment, then comes money, place, venue, guest list,rings, dress, sexy lingerie, jewelery, shoes, suits, ties, flowers, food, drink, and the list goes on.

When two mature people decide to take this leap of faith, love above all conquers all, I know this sounds corny, but when you think of all the compromising that is done, combining two homes into one, my lounge suite or yours, which books, CD's, orniments etc, it truly is a letting go of the ego - I remember it well, the two becoming one but still maintaining a sense of 'self' that is trick, that is the marriage.

It is about two people planning their wedding day, which is the first day of their marriage. The relationship and lives in marriage is more important and lasts a lifetime - or as long as it is meant too.



Now my gorgeous friend is getting married in four weeks, what a surprise..............it is so nice when love bites and everything goes well. When Lorraine asked me to go shopping with her for her bridal outfit, I was honoured and delighted, nothing like going shopping and spending someone else's money, within reason of course. Full of a cold, dosed up on medication, it was time to hit the shops. I was so excited, verbal diarrhoea, invitations, rings, dresses, colours, wine, hors deuv's, venue, place, girls night out, guest list, I wanted to know it all, oh so much to think about. Lorraine and Rob just laughed...........Oh something I forgot to say about the lovely couple they are both clutter free people, and yes you guessed it, I am Mrs Clutter, married to Mr Clutter but he is in denial.

We had such fun today, our aim was, a dress, shoes, and lingerie. Now that's a tall order for a day, but not for two expert shoppers who know a good thing when they see it. I would have liked to have bought the grooms tie while we were out, but that was overstepping the line....... respecting his wishes, just joking Rob!



The shopping expedition started in Nedlands at 11am, proceeded to Perth Murry St - time for a coffee in the mall then its off to Subiaco - Lorraine tried on several dresses, and finally decided on a beautiful, elegant, classical styled dress, that surpasses anything I would imagine, it looks perfect. You know when you put the dress on, this is the one! and this was the one! That's about all I can tell you until the day.................. we even got a swatch of the colour so that Rob could match his tie, thinking of you Rob!



The dress was bought,it was now time for the champagne cocktail, before we shop for the lingerie and shoes, which ever we see first. We were both intoxicated with excitement, it was all coming together. It was nice to sit and share a drink, laughing and telling stories of love and lust........ off course the two go hand in hand after all we have earned the right to enjoy the freedom of women, life is truly wonderful and sharing it with the beautiful people you love.

Shoes were next on the list, perfect, tried my hardest with the handbag but no joy - never mind you win some and you lose some. the lingerie was the hardest, we walked past what I thought was the perfect shop three times trying different places only to end up in the perfect shop, the one we walked past three times, but it was worth it, no compromising here, it looks sexy, fantastic is all I am going to say.



The day was done, all of the shopping done in 5 hours, home for a nice cup of tea, and rest our feet, we did consider Champagne but I had to drive home.



Addition: in clearing the clutter, Lorraine had more than one dogie bed, and offered it to Mrs Clutter who gladly accepted, Monty is eternally grateful for his new bed.

We had a superb time, we were like kids turned loose in a candy shop. We were both on the same wave, thanks for a wonderful day. I look forward to a wonderful wedding
day!

Cluttered closets mean a cluttered mind.
As you clean the closet, say to yourself,
"I am cleaning the closets of my mind".
The Universe loves symbolic gestures.
Louise L. Hay

All I have to say is our minds must be totally cluttered!!

Celebrating our Land, our People and our Profession.

International Day of the Midwife (IMD) was on May 5th. The Australian College of Midwives WA Branch, celebrated this occasion on Saturday 2nd May at UWA. It was a day of celebration to which approximately 60 Health professionals attended. It was nice to see familiar faces of the midwives that generally celebrate and come to the College events. This is a time for midwives to get together and network, gossip and generally catch up with colleagues that you have not seen since the last IMD celebration.



This time I met an exceptional woman, a beautiful Cherokee midwife who has worked with the Inuit women of Canada, she had such long hair I just had to take her photo.



It is very important on these occasions to get the catering correct, because as midwives we like to chat, eat and have a nice cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee. UWA did a great job of the catering there was good food and beverages. The day started with an official Nyungar Welcome to Country and a traditional Nyungar dance - performed by Justine, it was breathtaking.



The rest of the morning was spent discussing Aboriginal Health, relating to mother and infant mortality and morbidity. Heather Hancock from SA University gave a riveting presentation on her work in the Northern Territory and Alice Springs. She also reminded us as Midwives to continue providing quality care, remember to be happy, joyous and passionate about our beautiful career. I couldn't agree with her more, we, as midwives need to be happy and joyous in our work providing women with continuity of care. You know the famous saying ' if you love what you do, you do it well' or something along those lines.


Fun was had by all in the Laughter workshop:




With the afternoon came the laughter workshop, some people like this sort of thing, me no, its not my cup of tea, however i did do it to experience something different. But can't say i am in a hurry to do it again.

I did enjoy the last session which was the panel discussion on the way forward for the maternity review report.



The nuts and bolts of this discussion was that we as midwives need to work together to achieve better outcomes for women. So that women can have the informed choice they so rightly deserve. This means, midwives becoming more politically savvy,find out who your local politician is and start emailing or writing to them saying what it is you want as a midwife. That is a medicare provider number, this is what will give us what we want, that is access to all pregnant women in the first trimester, from 12 weeks. This way the woman will get informed choice and all her birthing options, that is Midwifery Led care, Birth centre, teams, shared care, homebirth and obstetric care.



It was good to see so many midwifery students attending the study day. We need to encourage students to attend because they are our future, and need to become actively involved in the College.

Remember to watch out for information relating to National Registration & Accreditation 2010, the Maternity Review Report, Indemnity Insurance for independent midwives and the Complaints committee relating to National Registration; All this topics will be up for public discussion and this is when you need to make your comments, make your voice heard. If you see articles in the news papers or on the news, that are untrue or unjust, respond or send it to the Australian college of Midwives and ask them to respond, this is how we are noticed. However always remember to be professional.
Thank you to all those who attended the day to make it a success.



The time is now, for you to start being heard as a Midwife.

Happy International Midwives Day 2009.

International Midwives Day - Virtual Conference

This is very exciting for me, because I am testing all my skills using different sorts of technology and talking to midwives all over the world. This is the idea of Sarah Stewart, who is the conference organiser. You can see the program by going to her blog or just follow this link - International Midwives Day Program. There is something for everyone in the program and Sarah will be recording the presentations and you can hear them on the blog later.

I will be presenting at 9pm tonight and my presentation will be Cybertalk, some of you may have heard it before when I gave it several months ago at a college study session.

Technology is great, however when it fails things get very stressful, so lets hope all goes well. Here I thought I was technologically savvy, but some days I think I know zilch.

Watch this space..................................

Enjoy International Midwives Day.

Time for Bunbury Midwives to respond!

The Bunbury Mail headline written by Kaitlyn offer reads "More women risking Bunbury homebirths"This headline is just purely 'scaremongering' and in light of the recent release of the governments Maternity Services Review Report, which suggest that women should have improved choice, and expanding the role of the midwife.

I think the article endeavors to present a balanced view, however, it does not at any point have the view of 'the midwife' it does consider that of the obstetrician. In light of the Maternity Review I think it is time the media recognised the value of the profession of 'midwifery'(hence we have the Nurses & Midwives Act 2006) and sort the opinion of the Southwest midwives or the Australian College of Midwives to further balance this article. It is sad to see that an obstetrician is negating the woman's' right of choice and slamming this as 'putting her baby at risk'. This woman has made an intelligent, informed choice of how she would like to birth her baby and this choice should be respected not criticised.


The article goes on to say that

"Between 2003 and 2007 there were 70 homebirths recorded in the South West by the health department, up from 13 performed in 2003 to 20 in 2007.....and that there were no deaths from homebirths in the South West between 2003 and 2007". Did the Dr quote the amount of traumas associated with a birth in the hospital?

So please explain to me why then have these women put their babies at risk? oh that's right

Bunbury's gynaecologist Dr Ron Jewell said mothers were putting themselves and their babies at risk.

With what evidence is the Dr basing this statement on?
“People are looking at their choice rather than safety,” Dr Jewell said. Dr Jewell has not once commented on the services or the ability of the very professional midwives of the Southwest, where is his attempt to be collaborative with his colleagues?
All midwives are trained to be able to recognise the abnormal and deal with any emergency that may arise.

Thank goodness the the trusted consumer, Bunbury mother Megan Pelusey disagrees.

Mrs Pelusey gave birth to her first child Georgia at home in 2006 and with baby number two on the way her family is preparing for another homebirth with the help of a trusted midwife, her husband Marcus and Georgia, 2. “I’m a private person and it’s a nice way to have it in your home and this time my two year old will see it all,” Mrs Pelusey said.

Mrs Pelusey said she felt women with low risk of complications could have safe homebirths when supported by a midwife with the right equipment.
“I had continuity of care with my midwife, I had regular visits throughout the whole pregnancy, (the midwife was there) during the birth and I had after birth care and you still see a doctor anyway,” Mrs Pelusey said.
She said she was not nervous about complications.
“The midwife has all the right equipment like oxygen if it is needed and we are not very far from the hospital if something happens.”

I must say I am sadden by this article, the headline, could have been a more positive one, 'Homebirths successful in the Southwest', 'More women choose midwifery led care in the Southwest' - but I guess it just may not have the same impact.

I urge the media to give midwives a fair go! find out what it is we do? don't just take the word of an obstetrician, this is about collaborative work, we can and do work together, let midwives provide continuity of care, give women the choices they want!, it really is not to much to ask for.

Infomidwife

Misleading headlines! Homebirths!

The phenomenon of Free birthing, Unattended childbirth whatever it is called, women who choose to birth at home with no medical or midwifery assistance. This phenomenon continues to happen and we knew it was only a matter of time before we started hearing about some tragic deaths. Now it has been reported that there have been 4 tragic baby deaths in the last 9 months. The web is full of sites of how to do your own birth (DIY) homebirth complete with what to do if things go wrong, even DIY u tube videos on waterbirth.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that AT least four babies have died during home births in Sydney in the past nine months, including the daughter of one of Australia's most vocal advocates for hospital-free deliveries. These are homebirths, but they are unattended homebirths or freebirths, without midwives or doctors.

Janet Fraser, national convener of Joyous Birth, which encourages women to shun hospitals, is dealing with the death of her own baby during a water birth at her Croydon Park home. Ms Fraser went into labour at home assisted only by her partner and a female friend when things went horribly wrong.

It is woeful that women are forced to choose this option of birth because our maternity system does not offer them a safer option, informed choice or support their option of birth without feeling threatened, bullied or patronised by the medical profession.

Now that independent midwives are under threat of being not allowed to practice if they do not have indemnity insurance, due to National Registration we will be forcing more women to do it alone. Already there is debate as to whether to outlaw or ban homebirth. Alison Leeman for the ABC reports

So as long as the AMA and RANZCOG are hostile to homebirth -ideologically, not evidentially - the government is not prepared to stare them down

– how deplorable is that, banning homebirth, what sort of democracy are we? What happened to choice and women’s right to choose? We certainly do not want to go down the same road as our American counterparts who are not permitted to do homebirths and the fetus has more rights than the woman who carries the fetus.

The Honourable Minister of Health Nicola Roxon’s report on Maternity Services stops short of supporting Homebirth and independent midwifery. However the report does acknowledge the need to increase the role of the midwife within Maternity Services and listen to what the women of our country want and that is informed choice about how to birth their babies. Without feeling intimidated by paternalistic obstetricians.

Even when reading this news story at no time is it reported that these are unattended homebirths, that is no midwife or doctor in attendance – they stipulate that the

dangers of homebirth need to acknowledge and that there are down sides to a homebirth’
Dr Pesce said it was time the increased risks of home birth were acknowledged and addressed.
"There are one or two extra deaths per 1000 deliveries and I wish people would acknowledge that," Dr Pesce said.
"It's often presented as if there are no downsides to a home birth only up sides."
He said obstetricians and the health system had to take some responsibility and try to attract women back to the hospital system.

Australian College of Midwives president Professor Pat Brodie said more was urgently needed to be done to avoid future tragedies.

"We are very concerned about a maternity care system that is so abhorrent that women choose to do this (give birth without a midwife),'' Professor Brodie said.
She said the maternity services system needed to be re-organised so women were assigned to a single midwife who they knew and trusted and who could provide continuity of care throughout their pregnancy.

'Home births in Australia represent just 0.25 per cent of all births.
Of the 277,436 babies born in 2006, just 708 were home births.
The majority of the home births are done with the assistance of a midwife.'

Surprise, surprise hospitals are now asking the question? Why are women choosing to birth at home without medical or midwifery assistance? Dr Pesce described it well when he said “ In the hospital system we need to get our act together rather than make them (women) refugees of the system” well said doctor.

It is all about informed choice, allowing the woman to know her own body and make the right decisions. Collaborative work with our obstetricians, we need to work together each one acknowledging that each profession has an equal place. Midwives specialize in the ‘normal’ obstetricians specialize in the ‘abnormal’