Thinkbirth: exploring birth, midwifery and related topics

On the 18th February, 2010 in 14 locations across Australia, 1000's of people rallied to register their protest at the Rudd Government policies that threaten to restrict options for women.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFD6xYxhke8&feature=player_embedded]

Jane Palmer's wonderful video montage of the rallies for women's right to choose what happens to their bodies in childbirth

And some media on the 'issue'

The Sunrise piece that seems to have stirred up the Government

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/play/-/6819641/

a TV piece from Chan 7 yesterday

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvZFZ0gd-Zw]

http://www.facebook.com/l/64996;www.mybirth.com.au/19-02-2010/women-rally-at

Nicola Roxon's response to collaboration agreements.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/19/2824133.htm

Roxon says: "I'm unapologetically on the record as saying let's encourage people across the health services spectrum to work together and make sure that women can safely choose options that are good for them and suit them.."

That's great in theory and obviously something that sounds very reasonable.

The question then has to be asked: So why not restrict doctors work unless they collaborate - they are the ones who make things difficult!

In reality, Roxon's 'encouragement' is only fueling the power imbalances and women are caught in the 'rip'.

My Birth dot Com

Posted by Michelle Meares on February 19th, 2010 in Blog

Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

Women and their families protest across Australia in 15 different locations to tell PM Kevin Rudd and Minister Roxon what they think of his maternity reforms - Photo Credit Miriam Ackroyd

Join the Facebook group to get involved in organising or leave a message of support.

What will it take for Kevin Rudd to listen to women, and put the needs of Australian families ahead of the Australian Medical Association?

A National Day of Action was held yesterday at 15 different locations Australia wide as women and their families across the country joined together to send Minister Roxon and PM Rudd a clear message – we say NO to your maternity reforms which take away our right to self-determination in health care.

The news laws currently in the Senate will remove a woman’s basic right to make decisions about the type of birth she has, the place of birth and her care provider.

Women have been protesting against this new legislation which puts power in the hands of the medical profession, instead of placing women at the centre of decisions made about their care during pregnancy and birth. The Australian Medical Association has lobbyed the Federal Government hard for changes to this legislation and women say NO – you must place our rights ahead of the Dcotor’s pay packets.

Gosford Rally outside MP Belinda Neals office - Member for Robertson (Credit: Tracy Beveridge)

Women will not give up on this issue and our elected MPs must listen to the voices of women in their electorates who believe that while women may seek advice from their doctor ultimately they have the right to make decisions about their bodies and their babies.

We ask our politicians: How is it that a Doctors opinion or advice (however learned) will be able to override the long established legal rights of a woman to informed consent and right of refusal?

LINK TO MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

MEDIA

Government Response

National Coverage

Newcastle/Hunter

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hunter-rally-for-birth-choice/1754102.aspx

Ballarat

Sunrise Channel 7 - map of rally locations

Sydney

Gosford

NBN News
Express Advocate
SEAFM

Darwin

NT mums fight for homebirth right | Northern Territory News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au

Coffs Coast

Women aim birthing protest at PM | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast | Coffs Coast Advocate

Cairns

Home birth protest hits the streets – ABC Far North Qld – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Hobart

The National Day of Action was covered by newspapers, radio and tv stations Australia wide. Thank you for the support and helping inform the Australian public about this important issue. If you have other media links please email us info@mybirth.com.au or post to the Facebook group

national-day-action

Midwife Sonja MacGregor at the Sydney Rally (Credit: Britt Louwrens)

Sydney Rally outside Tanya Plibersik's offce (Credit Britt Louwrens)

Sydney Rally (Credit: Britt Louwrens)

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon at Sydney Rally (Credit Britt Louwrens)

Chris Wrightson at Sydney Rally (Credit: Britt Louwrens)

Ballarat Rally (Credit Keenan McRitchie - 10 years old)

Justine Caines interview Ballarat (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Ballarat - Justine Caines addresses the crowd (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Who will say SORRY for these LAWS Kevin Rudd? - sign in Ballarat (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Gosford Rally at Belinda Neals office (Credit Tracy Beveridge)

Gosford (Credit Tracy Beveridge)

Adelaide Rally outside office of MP Kate Ellis

Adelaide Rally - Credit Hayley Harris

Adeliade Rally - Credit Hayley Harris

Adelaide Rally - Credit Hayley Harris

Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

MP Andrew Laming at Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

Dr Sarah Buckley Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

Newcastle Rally - Credit Rachel Prest

here

Darwin Rally - Credit Kylie Sheffield

Darwin rally - Credit Kylie Sheffield

Man to woman: That baby inside you is only half yours got it.

Why would you say that about this issue? Their government is trying to force women to only give birth where they tell them to do it. There is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to give birth at home if she is healthy and their are no complications.Honesty women have been having home births for many more decades than hospital births have been around!

complications you never know when they will happen.

Beautiful. Thanks for posting. I liked one woman’s t-shirt that said: “There is a secret in our culture and it’s not that birth is painful ... it is that women are strong”. Very cool. My dad was born on the farm in Texas. Doc came by and helped - $35. Our son was born in a hospital in Texas - $7000. I paid them $3000 and had to put the rest on a Visa card.

I think Australia is trying to do this in order to maintain records of every birth--and later to have complete control over both the mother and baby.

I hope this protest succeeds.