The World Health Organization releases its World Mental Health Report. Mental health is critically important to everyone, everywhere. We at Maternal Health Matter especially know how important it is to pregnant women. The Report highlights the need to empower people to have control over their life and health care, by instilling personal dignity, value and
Review: You Can’t ask That – Postnatal Depression ABC TV & iView I could not help being overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit of the women and man who shared their postnatal journey on You Can’t ask That – Postnatal Depression. Even more than that, I felt ashamed that we as a society abandon women
A day to honour parents and their commitment to children worldwide. Global Day of Parents is a United Nations observance that is celebrated on June 1 each year. Parents are among the most important people in the lives of children. Parents include mothers and fathers, as well as other caregivers who act as parents. From
The invaluable role of nurses Each year on 12 May, we celebrate International Nurses’ Day and reflect on the invaluable role of nurses in our health care system from the very beginning of life to the very end. Nurses are caregivers, role models, educators, mentors, and advocates and directly impact the health and well-being of
Remembering all mothers on this day 822 mothers will birth babies in Australia on this Mother’s Day 300, 000 babies will be birthed this year. Today, we celebrate mothers for the invaluable work they do for their children and families. We need to remember that we all come from pregnancy. A woman who went through
Midwifery - 100 years of progress The International Day of the Midwife celebrates 100 years since the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) was formed striving to ensure all women and their newborns have access to a trained midwife. The ICM has strengthened midwives’ associations globally to advance the profession of midwifery worldwide by promoting autonomous
Our call out to government - Respectful Maternity Care for all women Deep-seated resistance to addressing systemic disrespect for pregnant women in our health system is thwarting progress towards improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians. Women feeling disrespected during maternity care is an endemic phenomenon. The mistreatment is a longstanding and complex
WHO Interprofessional Midwifery Education Toolkit Too few midwives and other health professionals are getting the education and training they need to provide quality, respectful care to pregnant women and their newborns as well as to women needing care for sexual and reproductive health, as well perinatal mental health support. A key solution is to invest
A positive postnatal experience The WHO guideline maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience aims to improve the quality of essential, routine postnatal care for women and newborns with the ultimate goal of improving maternal and newborn health and well-being. It recognizes a “positive postnatal experience” as a significant end point for all women
Women’s rights to refuse recommended care All competent adults have the right to refuse treatment. A woman’s pregnancy status does not impact on her right to self-determination however uncomfortable and conflicted this may make others feel. Autonomy is essential for respectful maternity care. Queensland Health have developed a policy that recognises women’s rights to refuse
