Homebirths 'as safe as Hospital'

The largest study of its kind has found that for low-risk women, giving birth at home is as safe as doing so in hospital with a midwife.

Research from the Netherlands - which has a high rate of home births - found no difference in death rates of either mothers or babies in 530,000 births. To read the full article go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7998417.stm

The Campaign Begins

Today I am beginning to coordinate a campaign in my local area to lobby to save the future of midwifery in private practice and homebirths. The Report of the Maternity Services Review failed to provide a provision for midwives attending homebirths nor to find a solution for professional indemnity insurance. As a requirement of national registration planned to be implemented mid 2010 - midwives will be asked to provide proof of professional indemnity insurance as to enable registration - as no insurance is available if midwives choose to attend a homebirth they will be practising illegally. Women have a right to a midwife attending them at home. More on my plans later. Enjoy this video produced by Homebirth Australia.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com