Ethical Challenges and Human Rights

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​NEW POSTS
​A poem exploring the power imbalance in birthing - Do you have what it takes? - with links to further reading about the difference between Motherhood and Mothering.  

​And an article exploring The Right to Life and Family, looking at the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

updated post:
​Shhh...The Taboos of Motherhood Not to confuse the usual judgement (damned if you do, damned if you don’t on all mothering styles), taboo things usually seem to be announcing pregnancy too soon, infertility, miscarriage, still birth and serious childhood illness or death of a child, Post Natal Depression, birth trauma, relationship breakdown – the kind of things people find very confronting and hard to know what to say or do.
It also seems to increasingly (and concerningly) be including the positive experiences - either by silencing them or enforcing them, depending on the context.
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WEBINAR: The Trouble with Consent in Childbirth and How to Fit It!  
I need to work on my set up for the webinaring, the lighting is terrible, but I hope you find the content helpful.  (and if you are techy, I would appreciate some guidance).  

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Polly Dunning says if you can't afford to pay a nanny minimum wage you can't afford a nanny. This article was published in the SMH on July 18th.  It is an excellent commentary, and attracted 152 comments.  The comment by Cancoon raised an excellent point - which is one of the arguments for a Universal Basic Wage.  This would give families the option of staying at home to take on the care of their children, or to use the money to outsource it at a fair rate to another.  Makes sense - but the reply to the comment tells us that 'choice' negates the community spirit.  The article speaks of how 'kindness' is exploited.  
I won a double-pass to see Rocketman last month.  I gave it away.  Because in order to go see it, it would have cost over $100 just to get a babysitter (we live an hour from the nearest cinema).  As a teen I babysat, one job I had was an all day job looking after three siblings during school holidays, I was not expected to do this for free.  The family valued me and trusted me, I was an important part of their life.  I was not expected to do it for free.  I figured I would have to pay at least $20 p/h,maybe $25 having never enlisted a babysitter I don't know the going rate (this article suggests minimum wage for a casual is $25...if we went on a weekend, is there a weekend rate?). 
​I would love to hear your thoughts - what is the going rate for a babysitter?

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More on the Trouble with Informed Consent 
​by Pip Brennan
"In many ways informed consent is at the heart of most health complaints, and is a core part of why I believe in the importance of the work of the Health Consumers Council."
Pip Brennan is Executive Director of the Health Consumers Council in WA, and independent, not for profit organisation dedicated to ensuring the consumer voice is at the heart of health policy, service planning and review.

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Consent Matters
Alison Branley looks at courses on consent in school and university.
This article was published the day after I completed the Consent Matters course as part of my new enrollment at the University of Canberra.  It is a short online course that all students must complete.  I found it quite interesting, and can see why some would say it is patronising.  If you have ever watched the tea analogy, this gives you an idea of what the course is like.  Do you know the story Everyone's got a bottom? 

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IVF sex selection sparks ethical debate 
At 38, Stacey Hughes — a mum of three sons — figured the biological clock was ticking on her wish to have a daughter, so she started investigating sex selection through IVF...this ABC news article also has other suggested readings on the topic.

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Doctor is that really necessary?
​Four Questions to ask and a TED talk

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CALL TO ACTION!

National Strategic Approach to Maternity Services (NSAMS)
Carolyn Hastie (Think Birth) has penned this letter to her MP, regarding NSAMS.  She, and I, encourage you write to your Federal Member, your State Member, your State Health Minister and the Federal Health Minister.  Tell them that the evidence is with Continuity of MIDWIFERY Care.  Specify the midwifery, for that is what the evidence supports.  Use Carolyn's letter to guide you, and her blogs.  This issue is vital AND URGENT to the future of maternity care in Australia.  Our midwives are trained to provide this, but the system prevents them.  The voice of The Consumer (ie women) is strong and has the power to change politics. For the Better.