These mums were less than impressed upon hearing that St George Hospital suspended its popular home-birthing service last year.
Twelve months on, not much has changed.
The group of mothers from St George and Sutherland Shire are still waiting for an update, since they found out the service was paused.
Hospital staff spoke out against the decision by management to suspend the intake of new home birth patients in August 2015.
Staff said at the time that the intake of new women was on hold pending the outcomes of a review.
The home birth service was the first publicly funded scheme of its kind in NSW when it was established 10 years ago.
More than 860 women have joined a Facebook group (Friends of the St George Hospital Home Birth Service) to drum up support for the service, which they said was necessary as a birth option in the community.
Beverly Hills mum Bernadette Pittams had her third home birth through St George last year – the 196th baby born through the service.
She said the suspension of the service caused a big uproar.
“There are so many women missing out on this service, and the hospital doesn’t seem in any hurry to bring it back, despite their assurance that they will,” Mrs Pittams said.
“The hospital says they want to open it but that they don’t have enough midwives.
“We keep getting the same old response – that a review has been undertaken. This has been the stock standard reply for months.”
She said nothing compared to the positive experiences of her home birth, after she gave birth to her first child in hospital and her second in a birth centre.
“I had the same midwife for all of my appointments, and that continuity of care makes all the difference to confidence, trust and even pain levels,” she said.
“A home birth is also cheaper than a hospital birth, has been proven to be as safe for second or third babies, and is more satisfying for mothers.”
When you’re in your own environment, you’re in power.
- Mortdale mum, Jacqui Short
Mortdale mum-of-three Jacqui Short says it is important to give women options.
“When you’re in your own environment, you’re in power,” she said.
“I had a first aid kit and oxygen, and the hospital was only a 20 minute drive away if I needed it.
“And after labour I went into my own kitchen for a snack and lay in my own bed.
“Giving birth is not a disease, and generally, the more natural the process, the better the outcome.”
Cronulla mum Laura Golland is pregnant with her third child, and wants to have a home birth.
“I was disappointed the service was cancelled,” she said.
“It’s a shame because it’s much more comfortable giving birth at home. There are no interruptions like nurses and cleaners coming in and out, or having to share a room.”
Sally Cusack from Maternity Choices Australia is helping the women get the service reinstated.
She was part of a successful campaign to re-launch a similar service in northern NSW.
“St George was one of the first programs established under the home birth policy and has had excellent outcomes,” she said.
“This is a vital option that should be available to all women.”
She says the problem is staffing and a lack of awareness.
“It’s about ensuring that services like this are sufficiently staffed, but that GPs are also made aware of choices out there because home births are not so common in Australia,” she said.
General manager of St George Hospital, Leisa Rathborne, said the hospital engaged with a clinical expert who undertook an independent review of the service.
The review included interviews and consultations with St George midwifery, nursing and senior medical staff, consumer representatives from Maternity Choice Australia and mothers who had home births.
Ms Rathborne said the report was submitted to the hospital executive and is under review.
“St George Hospital continues to offer various birthing models of care including midwifery, antenatal, obstetric, birth centre, risk associated pregnancy, young mother’s program and GP shared care,” she said.
“For women choosing to have a home birth there are independent midwives available within the community.”
Have you used the St George Hospital home birth service? Tell us your experience.
Details: stopStGeorgeHomebirthserviceclosure on Facebook