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
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) 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 ACTIONMEDIA
Government Response- Roxon grilled over proposed midwife changes – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- PM Rudd – Hundreds attend public forum – Homebirth on the agenda
- Maternity reforms: protest group awaits PM’s arrival – Local News – News – General – The Courier
- PM RUDD VISIT: Garden no show “cowardly” says home birth group – Local News – News – General – The Courier
Sunrise Channel 7 - map of rally locations - Local mum in home birth ban protest – Health – News | The Manly Daily
- Advocates defend their rights – Daily Telegraph
- Channel 7 News
- NBN News
- Express Advocate
- SEAFM
- Women march to protect rights to midwives – Yahoo!7 News
- Women march for midwives – http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/19/128911_tasmania-news.html
- Homebirth: The great debate – http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/19/128941_lifestyle.html
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 outside office of MP Kate Ellis 
Adelaide Rally outside office of MP Kate Ellis 
Adelaide Rally outside office of MP Kate Ellis 
Adelaide Rally outside office of MP Kate Ellis 
Adelaide Rally outside office of MP Kate Ellis
Adelaide Rally - Credit Hayley Harris 
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) Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images) 
Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images) 
Newcastle Rally - Credit Rachel Prest 
Newcastle Rally - Credit Rachel Prest 
Darwin Rally - Credit Kylie Sheffield 
Darwin rally - Credit Kylie Sheffield