New maternity laws may soon be put before Parliament that would have the ‘unintended' consequence of making home births illegal.
Some sources have disingenuously stated figures suggesting that home birth is not safe. Unfortunately these people often quote figures that include unplanned home births. Of course an unplanned, high risk birth at home (or in the back of a cab) by yourself cannot in any way be compared to a low risk, planned homebirth in the presence of a highly trained and experienced midwife. In fact for these low risk pregnancies one large study published by the British Journal of Medicine in 2005 showed home birth pregnancies were as safe as hospital births and had much lower rates of intervention.
As of July 2010 these home births will become illegal under currently proposed legislation. A $30,000 fine will be the penalty for an attending midwife and the woman who seeks to hire her. Imagine a woman being fined $30,000 for having a baby in the safety of her own home!
Understandably many independent midwives, mothers, health care professionals and concerned onlookers are not happy with this situation. Concerned that these mothers (and fathers) are being denied what should be a basic human right - the right to birth your child safely in the comfort of your own home - they have organised a rally.
So on the September 7 at 11:30am there will be a rally at Parliament House, Canberra. If you decide to go along, say hi to my wife and my gorgeous healthy home birthed baby boy Tom.
UPDATE: The march was well attended (over 2000 people) and the Government has decided to back down and delay the decision until 2012. Unfortunately that probably means we will have to have this whole debate again in a few years time. Meanwhile In countries like New Zealand and Norway home birthing is being actively encouraged with great results.
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