Birthing in the Bush

Описание: Obstetric services in rural and remote areas are diminishing significantly with over 130 maternity units closing down across country Australia in the last 10 years. With 29% of all babies in Australia born in rural and remote areas this now presents some difficult decisions for rural women when they become pregnant.

The diminishing support for rural women to give uncomplicated birth in their local communities has meant that increasingly women are faced with having to leave their communities in pursuit of good antenatal care and a safe birthing experience. Some women feel pressed to choose unnecessary medical intervention - such as induction or caesarean section - for no other reason than to minimise uncertainty, cost and disruption to family life. Such pressures have major social and psychological impact, not just on the mother and her baby, but also on families and on rural communities generally.

This program looks at the latest research on the care of pregnant women and their babies and possible medical complications. It explores the implications of such research for rural women and their health caregivers. It examines models of patient care for women with low-risk pregnancies that enable them to give birth in local communities. The principles of good antenatal care and appropriate management of labour and birthing will be discussed. The program considers the various roles and responsibilities of the rural maternity health care team and appropriate risk management strategies. It will also focus on the particular needs of Indigenous women and look at some programs that have been developed to address them.

Produced by the Rural Health Education Foundation
http://www.rhef.com.au/