HSE TAKES STEPS TO LIMIT WOMEN”S BIRTH CHOICES

national | rights and freedoms | press release Tuesday February 26, 2013 13:46 by AIMS Ireland - Assoc for Improvements in the Maternity Services Ireland chair at aimsireland dot com

Irish Women DESERVE Choice in Childbirth

It has emerged that the HSE is about to take steps to further reduce maternity care choices for women in Ireland. New Guidelines to be introduced by the HSE, will spell the end of midwifery led care in Ireland because the HSE has not put in place the infrastructure to support the changes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 25/2/13

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HSE TAKES STEPS TO LIMIT WOMEN”S BIRTH CHOICES

AIMS Ireland Calls on Government to Recognise Birth Choices as Human Rights.

It has emerged that the HSE is about to take steps to further reduce maternity care choices for women in Ireland. New Guidelines to be introduced by the HSE, will spell the end of midwifery led care in Ireland because the HSE has not put in place the infrastructure to support the changes.

Krysia Lynch, speaking on behalf of the Home Birth Association said: 'Research both in Ireland and abroad has consistently confirmed that midwifery led care, both at home and in a hospital setting is both safer for low risk mums and more cost effective than obstetric care. Self Employed Community Midwives are the only providers of 'continuity of care' a unique approach to maternity services that ensures the best outcomes for mothers and babies.’

Meanwhile Jene Kelly from AIMS Ireland, the Association for the Improvement of Maternity Service, has called for the State to recognise birth choices as a human right and says that these Guidelines will have a devastating effect on the women affected ' More and more women approach AIMSI using terms like 'violation of my rights' with regards to the HSE criteria for birthing options across the board. This is primarily down to the disregard for autonomy, informed choice and informed refusal found in Ireland. AIMSI have also seen 'relevant stakeholders' use methods of coercion against women, which include being door stepped by risk assessors, enduring mental health assessments, social workers and court orders, all of which contravenes women's basic human rights.

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