homebirthing support group?

[evelynn]

i'd like to start up a homebirthing support type group, sort of like the ABA but for home birthing.
just where we meet for coffee mornings and chat, and also as a support for people thinking about home births etc.
but don't know how much interest i'd get...i'd like it to go nationally, but obviously i'd have to start with just myself, so in SA.
would any body be interested in helping get it started, or fundraising, or be interested in coming along etc?
Thanks =]

[Mama_Kaz]

Hi Evelyn,

3 homebirth support groups already exist in SA The Homebirth Network of SA have coffee mornings each month (the first friday of the month I think), Lisa Barrett (an independent midwife here in SA) has coffee mornings on the second wednesday of the month and Joyous Birth have fortnightly meet ups at people's houses or playgrounds. You can potentially have 4 homebirth meet ups a month here in SA

[evelynn]

hi there, thanks for that.
yea, i know Lisa Barrett, she was my midwife!!!

[lee]

Hey, I'm a member here but rarely post or look. You'd know about my coffee mornings though. Do you live in Euchunga?

[evelynn]

hi yes i'm in Echunga....sorry do i know you? what/where are your coffee mornings? =]

[evelynn]

oh right, just looked at your profile!
it's Katy!! and reikaya =]
yes i know your coffee mornings, haven't gotten around to coming, haven't had a text for a while tho so wasn't sure when it was on =]
want to make one up here in the hills.

[Cloey]

Hi Evelynn,

I LOVE your enthusiasm!!

But you seem to have two almost separate plans, being Homebirth Coffee Mornings in the Adelaide Hills and a national Homebirth Organisation?

There are LOTS of us homebirthers scattered through out the Adelaide Hills, and most of us find ourselves trecking 'down the hill' to participate in the group meetings. On top of the three groups already mentioned there is also Birth Matters, CARES, Future Families and Maternity Coalition who are all active one one level or another here in SA and all have their 'finger in the homebirth pie' so to speak. I am certain that if you wanted to get organised and promote your adelaide hills group through these other avenues (as well as through the midwives) you would get some great interest.

On some of your other points, I have to wonder if it is worth 'reinventing the wheel' to too great an extent?

As far as information and support, the Homebirth Network SA and Birth Matters have great websites to refer to as well as publishing extensive quarterly newsletters. All groups are actively running public promotions / information seminars and trying to break into the political / media sphere to create changes in the system. If there are holes in the information provided by these groups I am certain that both would be appreciative of extra heads and hands to 'fill in the gaps' and thus improve the quality / quantity of information for the whole community.

Although they are not currently closely integrated, there are similar groups all over Australia and there is also the national 'Homebirth Australia'. If you are hoping to create a nationwide affiliated group, as per ABA, it would be worth starting with the network that already exists and working within / between these groups towards harmonious cohesion. It would be wonderful!! A quick Google search would turn up most of the contact people that you could get in touch with.

Best of luck, I look forward to the developments!!

Cloey