Robust evidence, rather than political pressure, should inform decisions about maternity care
The status of home birth in Australia has become more contentious than ever with the introduction of legislation which requires that all services provided by registered health professionals be covered by appropriate indemnity insurance. Although never intended to prevent registered midwives from providing care in planned home births, the absence of insurance for home birth has meant that any midwife assisting in a planned home birth appeared to have to forgo midwife registration, or risk penalty.
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I am President of the Australian Medical Association, which is opposed to home birth in Australia.