Very happy to share with you our methodology paper, now published BJM shahla meedya Sara Bayes and Prof Val Wison. Australian Catholic University Dr Jeni Stevens
Using a novel approach to explore women's caesarean birth experience | British Journal of Midwifery magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12…

Today is INTERNATIONAL MIDWIVES DAY.
#internationalmidwivesday2024

Midwifery is about respecting and empowering women, their babies and partners.

I always love seeing the power and beauty of women during this amazing time in their life.
#MidwivesMakeADifference

misleading labels...

‘Fear isn’t always a bad thing, it the past it helped us survive.

The more we fear the more we create dangers that may not have been there in the first place’ Hannah Dahlen AM

#mamaconference2024

Fascinating talk by Professor Helen Ball on sleep differences between breastfed and formula fed babies. While parents assess formula fed babies as having more sleep, objective assessments show no difference. #mamaconference2024

Professor Hannah Dahlen AM

“Pebbles of fear have turned into a meteor shower”

“Fear and risk dominates maternity care - we are losing the joy”

#mamaconference2024

WeMidwives 💙💛

Why does culture matter? Midwives are getting sick…burnout, PTSD and an increase in suicide rates 😞 #mamaconference2024 WeMidwives 💙💛 The RCM Scotland

#mamaconference2024 @wemidwives

“Culture is created every day”

“Induction is now the monster on the doorstep”

#mamaconference2024

In Australia, induction of labour rates have risen to 34% overall, with 41% of primip women now having their labours induced.

Rationales predominantly focus on reduction of perinatal mortality risks with little consideration
of physical & psychological impacts on women & babies.

While guidelines recommend obtaining informed consent before induction, reports
from midwives and women suggest this is not always the case, rather some women are being coerced into making decisions that are not fully informed, leading to regret
and birth trauma.

Breastfeeding requires a community that supports mothers - it is worth it! Great advocacy Julie P Smith #MothersMilkTool WBTiAUS ABA
abc.net.au/news/2024-04-2…

Today I delved into my archive and rediscovered this delightful letter to the South African Medical Journal on grandmothers breastfeeding their grandbabies (in one case after a 32 year lactation gap). Breastfeeding is robust and flexible. Relactation can be achieved quite simply.

6/ I would encourage Australians to write to their Federal MP and ask for reassurance that the Dept of Health will reject this recommendation but instead implement specific policy prohibiting donations of infant formula in emergencies.

5/ These outcomes of infant formula donations occur everywhere, including in Australia as we found in the BiBS Study. researchdirect.westernsydney.edu.au/islandora/obje…

4/ It results in reduction of breastfeeding and unsafe formula feeding practices and places infants at risk. It makes infants more prone to food insecurity.

3/ Because it comes without cost, donated infant formula is not distributed as carefully as it should be. It is often given without proper assessment of need, without ensuring that caregivers have all the other others resources they require, and to breastfeeding women.

2/ Why and how has this happened? Donations of infant formula in emergencies undermine child health. Donated infant formula is often well in-excess of that required, of the wrong type, close to or past expiry, lacks continuity of supply, and causes significant logistical problems

🧵The weak, voluntary agreement regulating the marketing of infant formula in Australia (MAIF) does not mention emergencies. However the government review of MAIF has recommended policy to facilitate industry donations of infant formula be developed.
health.gov.au/resources/publ…

Little mouth and large ears,collaboration and improve Understanding clinical staff views and beliefs of how we can improve immediate #skintoskin contact in emergency theaters. Healthcare Improvement Dundee students working with midwives The Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship NHS Tayside Dr Jeni Stevens HealthyChildren