Empowering Moree women in active birth choice

23 September 2009

Moree District Health Service last week hosted an Active Birth Workshop facilitated by world-renowned birth educator Andrea Robertson.

Entitled ‘Empowering midwives to Empower Women’, the workshop was attended by 31 staff from all over the Hunter New England Health region, including midwives, student midwives and an Aboriginal Health Education Officer.

Seven of the midwives who attended the workshop are part of the Moree Midwifery Team.

Nurse Unit Manager of Maternity Barbara Schultz said the local midwives had gained many practical skills in active birth, which will enhance the unit’s current philosophy of encouraging and supporting natural, active birth in Moree.

“Active birth is all about encouraging and helping women through the natural birth process, with as little intervention as possible,” Barbara said.

“We do this in a number of ways, including positive encouragement, position and movement, the use of natural pain relief options and mental and emotional support during the woman’s labour and birth.”

Moree is fortunate to have the support of local GP Obstetricians who encourage the midwives with their practice to promote active labour and birth.

This is evidenced by Moree’s birth statistics, which include:
• A caesarean section rate for 2008/09 of 15.9 per cent (compared to a national rate of approximately 33 per cent).
• An epidural rate of approximately 2 per cent.

“Working as a team and supporting women’s choice is important in producing a positive birthing experience for women,” Barbara said.

“Education for midwives to help women achieve this is always supported and encouraged at Moree Health Service.”

(HNE-2004)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135