Upper Yarra residents are concerned about proposed federal legislation that could drive the practice of home birth underground. 33680
By Monique Ebrington
UPPER Yarra residents have formed a lobby group to bump out proposed federal legislation that could restrict natural birth choices for Australian women.
More than 20 parents from the Yarra Valley Birthing Choice (YVBC) lobby group met with Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato last Wednesday 15 July to express their concern.
YVBC group member and birth attendant Julie Bell said government plans could see independent midwives, who provide home birth services, face large fines and possible imprisonment.
Independent midwives who provide home birth services will be excluded from new legislation that provides Medicare numbers and professional indemnity insurance to midwives.
“Since practising without insurance will become illegal under the new legislation, independent midwives will be effectively prevented from providing home birth services after 1 July 2010 and could face a penalty of $30,000 and up to two years’ jail,” Ms Bell said.
She said if the legislation was passed, it would drive home births underground.
“By excluding independent midwives from the arrangements for indemnity insurance, the effect would be to criminalise home birth and narrow natural birth alternatives for women,” she said.
“It would eliminate any alternative to a hospital birth.”
Warburton resident and birth attendant Stef Arvanitakis is 20 weeks pregnant and said that if the legislation was passed it would also be a huge step backwards for women’s rights and for human rights.
“It would be an immense insult to the rights and liberties of Australian families if it was passed,” Ms Arvanitakis said.
Her two older children were also born at home and she said it was a woman’s right to choose where she gave birth.
Warburton resident and midwife Gretta Harris is 35 weeks pregnant and is planning a home birth for her third child.
“From knowledge and research I know that home birth is the safest option for someone having a straightforward pregnancy,” Ms Harris said.
Ms Harris has experienced home births first-hand as a student and by having her two older children at home.
As a recently qualified midwife, she said with talk of the new legislation her plans to be a home birth midwife were now up in the air.
“It was something I had planned on going into, however, it’s pretty uncertain at the moment,” she said.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said her interest in the issue stemmed from the concerns of Upper Yarra residents and the lack of choice in the proposed legislation.
“I think that women and their partners are smart enough to be able to know what their bodies are capable of — women are intelligent enough to know that,” Ms Lobato said.
“They’re also intelligent enough to know that if their pregnancy isn’t going according to plan, and unexpected complications arise, that they would obtain intervention if required.”
“I’m concerned that there’s an amount of control being placed over women and their bodies through this proposal.”
YVBC is holding a public meeting on Friday 24 July at Cafe 8 in Yarra Junction from 9.30am onwards to inform people about the implications of this legislation.
For more information or to RSVP please phone 0418 312 920.
>>>Mothers have their say, page 3.
