People power!

Last Thursday night, the birth centre that I had Xav at was abruptly closed down. The crazy big wigs of the hospital even fell so low as to try to evict a birthing Mum and transfer her from the birth centre into the normal delivery suite. Thankfully, the Midwife stood up for the woman, and she went on to happily birth her baby.

Once the word was out that the BC had been closed, the phone tree sprung into action. Phones and computers went into overdrive as everyone who has ever had anything to do with the BC were notified and a rally was organised for 11am the next day. Facebook played a big part in bringing everyone to the cause, and providing a place for arrangements to be made. I cancelled my day of baking and cake decorating, instead taking the kids to rally against such a stupid decision.

I was blown away by how many people had turned out to fight for the Bc to be re-opened, the official number was about 500! Amazing, considering it was at 11am - just 18 hours after the announcement to close had been made. We rallied and chanted, most in disbelief that it had happened so suddenly and unsure if our voices would be heard. The CEO of the hospital came out to speak at one point, his speech full of politically correct language but no specific reason for the closure. He agreed to a meeting with about 50 - made up on midwives, Academics and women. I was lucky enough to be given a heads up to where it was, so Trude and I headed off with the kids to join in.

The CEO explained that the senior Ob's of the hospital had pulled their support of the BC, and as one of the "rules" to setting up the BC in 2006 was that it had an Ob overseeing it - he said he had no other choice than to close it. It was also revealed that the Ob who is extremely supportive of the BC and is the one that mostly oversees it, was away on holidays. I wasn't sure who's strategic move this was, but I later found out that this Ob was furious that this had been done whilst he was away, and was still supportive of the BC. Seems there must be a little unrest between the Ob team.

Anyway, we left the meeting still not convinced that it would be reopened soon. But later that night I received a message from my Midwife that it has been re-opened and the CEO had called for a review of ALL maternity services in the hospital! He also apologised for the distress the closure had caused, especially to the poor women and families due around now. Gosh, if it happened 3 years ago, it would have really jeopardised my fantastic birth of Xav. I always buy the paper on the kids birthdays to be put away for when they are older, this one will be very memorable with the rally dominating the front page!

It's still not a perfect outcome, there is a anxiousness that if it happened once, it may happen again. So many birth activists are encouraging us all to keep this issue alive and make sure that the powers in charge are aware that we won't just sit back and watch such a wonderful Midwifery care program be closed down.

I also attended the friends of the BC meeting on the Monday following the rally. The original instigator of the BC opening spoke and explained about the review and how they would like a consumer on the panel. Me, being in a post-euphoric, save the world rally haze decided that I'd love to do it.

So now I'm nervous as hell. Our first meeting is on Monday and I'll be one of 6 representing the BC. 2 of the other women are homebirth midwives that are so well known and respected in the birthing community. One is big in the political side of birthing and was responsible for the BC being opened. So, yes a little daunting.

I just feel it's such an important issue (both the BC and birth choices), so I'm playing my little part of making that point.

Some links about the issue:

Rally

Reopens

Article in Weekend Bulletin