What is the Waikato Home Birth Association?
The Waikato Home Birth Association Inc (WHBA) is a
group of people who have come together to provide information and
support for birthing women and their families. Our basic beliefs are
that for well women birth is a normal, healthy, active process that in
the majority of cases should not require medical or technological
intervention. Further more, we believe that birthing women and their
partners have the right to retain ultimate control over their birth and
the decisions which affect them and their bodies. These two beliefs
forms the basis of our philosophy.
First and foremost we support women's choice but we
have a special commitment to, and belief in, the Home Birth option as
being the optimal choice of birthing for most well women and babies.
This is because home is a familiar environment, where women are most
supported and where the family is retained in its proper context. We see
our role as encouraging women to actively explore and research all their
options and to make choices for a better birthing experience.
To this end members of the Association keep up to
date with the latest research on birthing practices. Some members of the
Association are involved as consumer representatives on the New Zealand
College of Midwives (NZCOM) Midwifery Standards Review (MSR) Committee
which monitors the quality of service provided by midwives.
Our Aims & Beliefs
Our Beliefs:
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Pregnancy and birth are normal, healthy, active
processes.
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In the majority of cases birth does not require
medical or technological intervention.
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Planned home birth is a safe alternative to
hospital birth.
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We are a pro-home birth group not an
anti-hospital group.
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Birth is a family affair, an experience to
share as the woman chooses.
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The bonding process can be enhanced by a
satisfying birth experience.
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Home birth enhances breastfeeding relationships
and lessens the likelihood of postnatal depression.
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When choosing birth at home it is essential to
have regular antenatal check-ups.
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The birthing woman (parents) have a right to
information about birth options.
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The woman (parents) have the right to decide
where her (their) baby is to be born. This right should be
exercised after considering the health of the mother and baby just
prior to the time of birth.
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The woman (parents) have the final right to
decide whether or not any procedure is to be used at the birth.
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People choosing home births need home birth
oriented birth preparation classes.
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It is important the woman (parents) choose a
midwife who will best suit her (their) needs.
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With good communication, decisions surrounding
pregnancy and birth are responsibly made between the woman and the
midwife.
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Midwives should provide comprehensive
information from which women (parents) can make informed decisions
about their birth.
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Midwives should be accountable to consumers and
their professional body for their services.
Our Aims:
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To support women and their families before,
during and after the birth.
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To support women (parents) choosing to give
birth at home by providing them with a wide range of birth
information to enable them to make informed, responsible decisions
regarding their births.
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To promote a realistic and positive portrayal
of birth in our society.
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To publicise the home birth option and raise
the acceptability of this option in our society.
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To provide a forum for the sharing of
knowledge, experiences and resources.
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To bring together those who want home births
with midwives and childbirth educators.
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To work towards a sound home birth service
which will include; (a) comprehensive ante-natal care and
postnatal care, (b) a sound back-up service, (c) home help for parents.
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To promote research on home birth and to
collate and publicise home birth statistics.
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To ensure the continued existence of home birth
as an option and to work for increased political and medical
recognition.
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To help health professionals understand the
needs of home birth parents and to inform them of the services
available.
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To communicate with other home birth groups to
exchange expertise, literature and information.
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To support home birth midwives.
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To review the standards of practice of midwives
annually.
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To encourage all midwives to adhere to the New
Zealand College Of Midwives Standards. Specifically to make available to women statistical information about the way they practice.
What can the Waikato Home Birth Association offer you?
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We have an extensive library of over 230 books
on pregnancy, birth and related topics which is available to
members. Reprints on important issues are also available
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Birth Videos
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Birth Pool
hire (Contact Dianne De Estena - Phone (07) 850 1819 or (027)
360 1358)
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Sibling Kit Hire
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Sling Hire
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Regular monthly newsletters to all
members -
click here to read
some sample articles from our publications
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National conferences are held periodically
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Birth Preparation classes designed to help
birthing parents explore their options are held regularly
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Support to look at the home birth
option
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Information to prospective support people.
Members of the WHBA are a support network for women
and their Partners who choose the home birth option or are considering
it as an alternative. Members are frequently asked to be advocates and
we are pleased to be able to support birthing couples in this way.
Finally the WHBA has a commitment to raise the level of knowledge and
acceptance of home births within the community.
Home Birth Preparation Series
(Ante-Natal Classes)
Sessions are relaxed and friendly and are limited to
ten women and their partners and/or their support people. This enables
participants to get to know each other. The series is designed for women
who plan to birth at home but is suitable for anyone planning a natural
birth. Usually there are women in the group who have had babies before.
We recommend that the people who will support you in labour also attend
the series.
The sessions are facilitated by a Child Birth
Educator and assisted by a member of the Waikato Home Birth Association
and a Home Birth midwife. The series consists of six evening sessions,
held once weekly or a weekend series. Our courses will include:
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Information about your birth options
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Promotion of normal healthy childbirth
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Discussion on how common problems can arise in
childbirth and how to avoid them.
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Support to be confident in your birth choices
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Accurate and up to date information.
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Topics will include: pregnancy care, diet,
beliefs and expectations, coping in labour, labour support,
preparation of the home, birthing baby and
placenta, early days,
breastfeeding, parenting and many other important issues.
More details on the content
is
available in our Home Birth Preparation Series Brochure or you can
contact
us for more information.
Proposed Dates
for 2010
We are currently offering home birth preparation classes as
needed. Final dates will be set based on participant interest.
For 2010
class dates or for
more information about the classes
and venues please contact:
or
send us an email
Home Birth Support Coffee
Mornings
Please come along and join us for a coffee morning to chat,
share and learn together. Everyone welcome!! You don’t have to
be a member of the Association to come to the coffee mornings,
so if you’re pregnant, planning a home birth or had a home
birth, or just interested in finding out more about home birth
then please come along.
We host these on the second and fourth
Wednesday of every month at
80 Brookfield Street, Hamilton, 10am – 12pm
For any enquiries please contact Carla: Phone (07)
859 3363 or
send us an email
Why should I join?
Home Birth Midwives and the Home Birth Association
work together in the capacity of support and care for women and their
families who want a Home Birth service. Together we continually strive
to maintain the Home Birth option as we know it and you would like it.
Your membership support of the Association helps
recognise and acknowledge our support for midwives and the work we do
for women in maintaining the Home Birth option along with the support we
give families in making a choice that is not yet mainstream in New
Zealand.
How do I join or send a donation?
If you would like to join the WHBA as a member or
support us with a donation
please
click here for more information and our membership / subscription
form
How do I contact the
Waikato Home Birth Association?
Our postal address is:
Waikato Homebirth Association
P O Box 311
Hamilton
3240, New Zealand
or you can
send
us an e-mail
