MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, April 11, 2007

WELCOME CHANGE IN CAESAREAN POLICY

The Australian College of Midwives today welcomed the NSW health policy directive to have procedures controlling the timing of elective caesarean sections and call on the other states to follow suite. 

Professor Pat Brodie, National President of the Australian College of Midwives said that pregnant women must be provided with clear evidence based information and support to enable tham to make informed decisions about childbirth. Direction is needed nationally to reduce the spiralling caesarean section rates. 

“Whilst governments are rightly interested in the cost of this surgery, there are far greater repercussions for women.  Breastfeeding rates for women after caesareans sections are affected and there are increases in recovery time for women and their families” Professor Brodie said,

“The NSW Government is taking the lead for discussion with this policy and this should be followed in other states”.

The NSW Government decision follows a recent study which indicated that mortality rates for women having elective caesarean section with no medical indication are three times higher than for women having a vaginal birth.  It is recognised that overall mortality is low during childbirth generally. 

“Women need good support during their antenatal care in order to make a fully informed decision.  The NSW Government directive will ensure that doctors need to explain the risks more completely.  It will change the mindset that caesarean is without risk” stated Professor Brodie,

“Women need greater support during pregnancy and after.  The World Health Organisation recommends levels which are half Australia’s current level of nearly 30% and for this to happen both state and federal focus needs to be on maternity services. This is a wonderful start to that process,”