For more than 20 years we have seen birth intervention rates rise steadily, along with postpartum depression rates. We could overlook this if we were seeing improved outcomes for mothers and babies.

 

However, in the same period there has been no improvement to stillbirth rates and suicide and iatrogenic harm are the leading causes of maternal death.*

 

Our maternity care system is not improving outcomes for mothers and babies, nor does it explain the full suite of birth choices available to them.

 

Yet over the last two decades our federal government has held inquiries and published strategic plans to improve maternity outcomes. The latest one is Woman Centred Care: Strategic Directions for Australian Maternity Services.

 

It is a worthwhile, evidence-based document, but State and Territory governments are not mandated to implement it, hence the lack of change. Here at MCA we are doing our utmost to hold our governments to account for this injustice that continues to be meted out to mothers, babies and families generally.

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Are you receiving the care described in the circular diagram of Woman-Centred care?  Let us know about your care.  Was it woman-centred?

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