Talking about The Birth Map

What are your thoughts on The Birth Map?

You have a right, and a responsibility, to be Informed.  

There is a myriad of evidence to support the birthing mapping approach as not only a powerful tool to support women, but also their partners and the care providers.  The Birth Map has the potential to save the public purse $200M annually in birth costs and a further $538M in perinatal mental health for women and men. Most importantly - it has the potential to make your experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting a positive one.

In 2019 the NSW State Gov, will start giving out the ‘baby bundle’. The contents of this bundle include items parents are likely to already have, along with the 'blue book' that was already being issued.  
This baby bundle is COSTING us money, to give something that no one really needs.
It won’t save money or improve birth or parenting outcomes.
I have been told over and over that the government can not be seen to endorse one thing over another, for example – My very awesome book, over say, another birth preparation book (even though there is none that compares). There are committees to check out possible procurement, and rightly so. WE would not want OUR government to throw OUR money in the wrong direction and without due diligence (for example: great barrier reef funding ).

QLD Health will soon be releasing a 'My Maternity Decision' website.  I am looking forward to seeing this, but am very concerned it will be clinician-led, and 'gently coercive'.  I feel the name is patronising.  We need to go further.

I have a SOLUTION, one that could save money for the government, improve outcomes for families and the working environment for midwives. It is based on sound science, and meets the Government Initiative Maternal Health and the First 2000 Days, would support the newly endorsed Woman-Centred Care: Strategic Directors for Australian Maternity Services, and meet the requirements of the (under review) Perineal Tears Clinical Standards.  
​A ‘pregnancy and beyond package’ that encourages informed decision making…and yes my book is an important feature:

The (proposed) Pregnancy and Beyond Package

• A copy of The Birth Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before.  Used to facilitate communication between women and care providers, providing an informed decision document to guide the labour and birth.  
• $100 Voucher towards doula support (for preparation, birth support and/or postpartum).
• Membership to the Australian Breastfeeding Association ($65)
• $100 Voucher towards independent childbirth classes

Valued at $300, this evidence based package is an investment in families.

Women, and their partners, should not have to fumble along, risking an at best mediocre and at worst traumatic birth experience that impacts their parenting experience. The first birth is a major transitional experience..it is not just one day.  

The very simple act of providing THE QUESTIONS to ask, facilitating informed discussions with care providers, has the potential to improve the maternity experience for all involved.
Our focus on ‘informed’ consent has skipped the very important step of choice. By skipping to consent, we are creating a platform where one choice is displayed as ‘right’, and others are either not displayed or dismissed as ‘wrong’. Consent assumes and coerces the yes. Respectful maternity care is diverse and supportive, and allows time for discussion and personal exploration. We need to know the questions in order to do this. Modern birthing is a medical environment, whether medical care is required or not. Navigating this without a Map is like moving through a labyrinth of changing walls. Guessing our way, trying to determine who to trust, second guessing and feeling vulnerable.
With a map, the walls are removed.  We can make informed decisions feeling confident we have all the information we need to apply to our unique circumstances.
There is no one way.
We all have the right to determine the best pathways for ourselves.


If you have already seen the book, please comment below. 
Your comment might be a review, a testimonial or a plea on behalf of future pregnancies. 

Women deserve to know what they need to ask.  

Do you think The Birth Map is reaching it's potential?

Is this the tool to help navigate the Maternity System?

​Tell me what you think!

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My goal is to never hear another woman say:
I wish I had known to ask that!

The comments about The Birth Map may be used to help in applications for grants and funding which will support a formal study into the outcomes of this process.  So far, anecdotal information is suggesting that this process has a protective element from birth disappointment, birth trauma and perinatal depression in women and their partners, improves midwives working experience and reduces unnecessary interventions.  This means reduced cost to the public health system and a positive experience for Women, partners and maternity workers.  

I may also use these comments to strengthen my advocacy work: as I attempt to get a copy of The Birth Map for every pregnancy.  If you would like to know more about this, see the sidebar for the progress report and responses I am getting.  Perhaps you would like to download the letter, which includes the research backing my proposal of a 'Pregnancy Package'.  If you would like to personalise it and send it to your representative, or indeed to every single politician, state and federal: go ahead!  YOUR VOICE IS STRONG!

If you are yet to see the book and experience it's potential, find out more here. 

If you have purchased multiple copies for use with your clients or to stock in your shop, contact me to request inclusion on The Wall of Informed Birth Supporters.  Copies of the book can be purchased here or check out The Wall.  Every copy purchased helps to fund the Informed Birth Mission, which includes the provision of this website as a free resource without advertising.  The free member area is a safe alternative to social media groups, a hub of resources and support.  It is growing and you are welcome.

Please help me on my endeavour to bring this book into the hands of every pregnant woman, by sharing and commenting.