The right to dignity and equality in health care Health is a fundamental part of the UN Conventions of Human Rights and essential for the exercise of other human rights. A human rights perspective and the right to the highest attainable standard of health is a major challenge in maternal health care today. This right is

Global Dignity Day. Dignity derives from the Latin dignitas – worthiness, whose root is dignus – worth. Dignity means that you are a person of infinite worth. The principles of Global Dignity Day include: The right of every human being to live a dignified life Access to health care, education, income, and security to help

Midwife professional indemnity scheme for low risk homebirth Background Primary Health The World Health Organisation (WHO states) all people everywhere deserve the right care right in their community.  This is the fundamental premise of primary health care.  Primary health care addresses the majority of a person’s health needs throughout their lifetime.  A primary health care

Expanding eligibility under midwife professional indemnity scheme for low risk homebirth In our submission MHM proposed the eligibility for home birth public and private to be consistent. We would prefer not to use the terms low risk or high risk as this engenders fear.  We propose an all-risk model of professional indemnity.  Surely it is

Improving outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies in Australia On 15 August 2024, the Australian Parliamentary Group for Maternal Health hosted a session on Improving outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies in Australia. The session was hosted by co-chairs Alicia Payne MP, Llew O'Brien MP, and Helen Haines MP. Assistant Minister Ged Kearney

We do not value motherhood nearly enough. If we did, wouldn’t we eradicate childbirth injuries and trauma? Wouldn’t we support mothers suffering from postpartum mental health issues? Wouldn’t every new mother be given proper time to bond with her child and recover her health without risk of losing her job? Wouldn’t we not assume that

Kindness an essential part of maternity care Kindness is a difficult attribute to define, but not to illustrate. Each of us, if asked, could tell personal stories about when we have been treated kindly and when we have been treated unkindly. We know it when we experience it, and we recognize when it isn’t there.

Today, we're celebrating mothers for all they do Today and every day, we are grateful for the many mothers and other women whose strength and resilience keep our families and communities together. We acknowledge there are many different types of mothers – birth or biological mothers, surrogate mothers, foster mothers and adoptive mothers – who

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