Monday 18th January 2010 I am not surprised by this

It would seem some research has been done into home births. That is from ABC news. Why am I not surprised at their findings? The claim is that more deaths have resulted from home births that hospital births. Well, that would be obvious wouldn't it. If the baby is born in a hospital help is right there. But that is only partly true. A good midwife worth her salt will recognise problems in the birth and respond very quickly. Go have a look at this. Look at what the midwife has done. This is excellent.
"He says the AMA does not support home births." Of course the AMA wont support home births. Less work and income for their doctors and nurses.
We have two children so far. The hospital was useless with both past the birth. The births of both were good. The care was excellent up to the point of returning to the ward after the birth. The nurses have too many patients to give good post natal care. Breast feeding help and support was not available at the time is was needed with our first. With our second Stephanie got independent counselling and support. The hospital was not happy with that even though we outlined our reasons. Their answer was to try to get Stephanie to attend a breastfeed class. They didn't like the idea that Stephanie had used her initiative and sort help. They wanted to be her only source of support even though they wouldn't offer her the help she needed.
For my part, I went along with what she wanted. She is the mother and knows best. The hospital may think they do, but they are way to busy to cope.
Do I support home births as a father of two with maybe more to follow? I support a woman's choice to have or not have a home birth. It should be a woman's choice, not a hospital. This is one area where governments should but out.
Call me cynical, but the Australian Medical Association has a vested interest in not supporting home births. Long live a woman's choice!