Happy International Women's Day!

This episode explores the available models of maternity care to expectant parents, and whether the most widely available models are in fact the safest.

We speak with Professor Stephen Robson, obstetrician and Secretary of the Australian Medical Association about this statement by the AMA and the evidence to support it.
https://ama.com.au/media/maternity-services-must-be-obstetric-led

Also discussed is the current national review into maternity services; https://consultations.health.gov.au/office-of-the-chief-nursing-and-midwifery-officer/national-strategic-approach-to-maternity-services-1/supporting_documents/Strategic%20Directions%20for%20Maternity%20Services%20Consultation%20Paper%20DRAFT.pdf

We also speak with epidemiologist Michal Schiff about the evidence cited by the AMA and which forms of maternity care are recommended by the World Health Organisation and why. (The recommendations are for midwifery-led continuity of care.)

Finally we speak with a mother, Agy, who gave birth in a large teaching hospital in Australia in late 2017 about her experience of GP-shared care with her local hospital and how she in fact lacked continuity of care during the crucial periods of her labour and birth.

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY on maternity services by writing to federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt and find out more here: http://www.pbbmedia.org/maternity-advocacy.html

REFERENCES:
- National Strategic Approach to Maternity Services Consultation round 2 (NSAMS)
https://consultations.health.gov.au/office-of-the-chief-nursing-and-midwifery-officer/national-strategic-approach-to-maternity-services-1/supporting_documents/Strategic%20Directions%20for%20Maternity%20Services%20Consultation%20Paper%20DRAFT.pdf

- WHO research referred to by Prof Robson cited by NSAMS is listed on p31 of this document: https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal_perinatal_health/anc-positive-pregnancy-experience/en/
- AMA press release: Maternity Services must be Obstetric-Led
https://ama.com.au/media/maternity-services-must-be-obstetric-led
- Cochrane Review: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub5
- "Mater study"
https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1471-0528.14903
- "Mercy study"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25832990

Produced and presented by Sally Cusack
Copyright PBB Media and Sally Cusack 2019
www.pbbmedia.org

Our thanks to Agy, Prof. Stephen Robson and Michal Schiff.

First aired on 99.9 BayFM Byron Bay Australia on 25 February 2019.