Let’s reflect on what midwives do Midwives respect and have confidence in women and in their capabilities in childbirth. Midwives promote and respect women’s and newborn’s health rights. Midwives promote and advocate for non-intervention in normal childbirth. Midwives provide women with appropriate information and advice in a way that promotes participation and enhances informed decision

5 May 2024 We acknowledge the amazing midwives who provide crucial care and support for families during pregnancy, labour, birth and transitioning to mothering. Thank you for your care, your support and your understanding - it really does make a difference. Here we share some quotes from families on their experience of midwifery care. ‘My

Maternity and Art The ANU Gender Institute and Maternal Health Matters Inc. invite you to join us online for the third in our seminar series that will explore the impact of maternity on women’s wellbeing and the transition to parenting. Time 6.00 to 7.30 pm Date Thursday 9th May, 2024 Registration ASAP not to miss

Disrespect in health care is an injustice The Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, Jan 2024 editorial says that injustice in health systems are hidden from public view, owing to the persistent marginalisation of certain groups of people, most especially, the socially disadvantaged groups who are most at risk of being disrespected. Disrespect –

Consent and refusal of procedures during labour and birth Not involving a woman fully in decision making, results in her discomfort and disempowerment = disrespectful care Informed consent is ethically and legally required.  Informed consent is an important aspect of woman-centred care. Not being asked for consent for procedures during labour and birth is an

The Ngayubah Gadan Consensus Statement The Ngayubah Gadan (Coming Together) Summit and proceeding consultation drew together Australia’s key rural and remote health care stakeholders to begin the process of articulating what a Rural and Remote Multidisciplinary Health Team is, how it functions and what support is needed for it to thrive. The Ngayubah Gadan Consensus

The words we use can heal and harm “Poor communication contributed to 9 in 10 cases of birth trauma.” USA Birth Trauma Association Survey, 2020 We cannot reduce birth trauma without considering language. In 2018, Make Birth Better asked people to share words and phrases said to them during pregnancy and birth that contributed to

A caring culture is based upon respect for human beings and their dignity. To care means to achieve a condition of trust, and a feeling of compassion, agreement, and comfort, so as to support and promote health and well-being for the person receiving care. One of the concerns with evidence-based medicine is that it is

Evidence-based medicine does not mean ignoring the respect, sensitivity, kindness, and compassion due a person. “In evidence-based medicine (EBM), the individuality of patients tends to be devalued, the focus of clinical practice is subtly shifted away from the care of individuals toward the care of populations, and the complex nature of sound clinical judgement is

We hope you have all had a fruitful year.  Read about our work over the past year. In 2024, MHM will continue our focus on the impact of disrespectful maternity care on maternal and newborn health, the role of midwives in maternal and reproductive health, and gender equity for childbearing women.  We continue to focus on