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
The right to a positive childbirth experience 10 December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world's most ground breaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or
Share your feedback on priority topics for the new Pregnancy and Postnatal Care Living Guidelines The Australian Living Evidence Consortium (ALEC), the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) were recently awarded an Australian Government tender to develop new Living Evidence for Australian
I chose homebirth From Feminist Legal Clinic A June federal government report on mothers and babies shows almost 312,000 women gave birth in Australia in 2021. Just 0.5 per cent, or 1560 babies, were born at home. It’s a small number but it’s almost double that of the year before, when 0.3 per cent of
What Country were you born on? Have you ever thought about what Country you were born on? Australia is internationally recognised as a country but has over 250 sovereign First Nations countries. Every birth in Australia is a birth on First Nations Country. Take a look at the video What country were you born on?
What does Birthing on Country mean to you? From the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, a video featuring interviews filmed during the Best Start to Life 2022 National Gathering at Mparntwe (Alice Springs) alongside breath-taking Australian landscapes, this educational documentary explores the many meanings of Birthing on Country. The video link is: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/776478875/79defd6a22 #mattersmaternal
When a mother dies during childbirth, the future dies with her. What follows is an excerpt from the 2023 Goalkeepers Report. You can read the full report here. When a mother dies during childbirth, the future dies with her. The world doesn’t just lose everything she is and will be. We also—all too often—lose her
