Press and media Coverage
July 19th 2’009
In many countries, expectant women have a wide choice of how and where to give birth to their baby. But are Irish mums-to-be getting a raw deal? Susan Daly investigates
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/in-many-countries-expectant-women-have-a-wide-choice-of--how-and-where-to-give-birth-to-their-baby-but-are-irish--mumstobe-getting-a-raw-deal-susan-daly-investigates-1828682.html
July 17th 2009
Pain of childbirth over-exaggerated!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1199156/Why-mothers-pain-childbirth--male-expert-midwifery.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm
July 12th 2009
Articles in Sunday Tribune on (i) Home birth with community midwives, (ii) birth with SECM Kate Spillane, (iii) unassisted birth, (iv) birthing with a doula and (v) home birth in Cork from a dad´s perspective
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/jul/12/labours-of-love/
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/jul/12/i-felt-bullied-through-the-whole-thing-i-never-que/
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/jul/12/for-very-good-reason-animals-seek-out-a-quiet-priv/?q=home%20birth
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/jul/12/endorphins-are-100-to-200-times-stronger-than-morp/?q=home%20birth
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/jul/12/why-are-male-consultants-dictating-how-women-give-/?q=home%20birth
July 11th 2009
Article on free birth. First Person: 'I gave birth without any medical help' Cher Sievey, 28 Interview by Charlotte Philby English Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/healthy-living/first-person-i-gave-birth-without-any-medical-help-1739831.html
July 8th 2009
Damages won by family against independent midwife Betty O´Toole after their undiagnosed breech baby died in hospital 5 days after planned homebirth.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0708/stewart.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0709/1224250316854.html
Note: Breech presentation where the feet knees or buttocks present first can be delivered vaginally with ease provided there is minimal intervention and the mother is relaxed. Undiagnosed breech babies are dealt with in hospital by emergency caesarean birth. Diagnosed breeches are delivered in hospital by elective caesarean. Undiagnosed breeches at home will be transferred to hospital if time allows or will be delivered at home. All SECMs are trained to deliver breech presentations and to resuscitate a baby following a breech delivery if the need arises.
Note: The HBA can only comment on the unpublished facts of this case i.e. not on the circumstances of the birth, transfer and subsequent hospital care. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family and all the other people involved including the doula and the midwife.
June 24 2009
A COUPLE whose baby daughter died in hospital a day after she gave birth has settled a legal action for €76,000. By Tim Healy Irish Indpendent
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/settlement-of-836476000-to-parents-over-death-of-newborn-1786730.html
June 24 2009
THE final bill for compensating women who had their wombs wrongly removed in childbirth by disgraced Lourdes obstetrician Michael Neary is less than half the expected 45 million. But 35 women who had their wombs or ovaries wrongly removed by Neary in gynaecological operations have still not been compensated by the redress board set up for victims. By Angela MCCORMICK Drogheda Indenpendent
http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/news/compensation-is-half-expected-euro-45-million-figure-1787880.html
June 23rd 2009
Home birth in general on TV. Features home birth mum and SCEM Aisling Dixon. Also featured, that well known Irish home birth expert, obstetrician Dr. Peter Boylan
www.tv3.ie/themorningshow
June 18th 2009
My homebirth was so easy I was making snacks in the kitchen just hours after having my baby
Following two disappointing births in hospital, Siobhan O'Neill-White decided to have her third child from the comfort of her very own home
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/my-homebirth-was-so-easy-i-was-making-snacks-in-the-kitchen-just-hours-after-having-my-baby-1777563.html
June 12th 2009
"A BRAIN-damaged man has secured a €3.35 million settlement in his action alleging negligence in the circumstances of his birth at Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital." The Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0612/1224248686895.html
June 14th 2009
When a bad birth haunts you- Sunday World ´parenting supplement
http://aimsireland.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=689
June 2nd 2009
Community Midwives and dads during birth
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0602/1224247860027.html
May 28th 2009
Support services for women who have miscarried ‘grossly inadequate’
By Fiachra O Cionnaith Irish Examiner
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/sncwidkfsn/rss2/
May 22nd 2009
A MOTHER and her daughter both managed to leave hospital within 24 hours of giving birth -- thanks to the support of the community midwifery service at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street. Fiona Dillon Herald
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/im-like-my-mum-who-went--home-hours-after-baby-1748304.html
May 5th 2009
Drogheda MLU celebrates a 1000 births
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0505/1224245935387.html
April 21st 2009
Home births: Playing it safe
Whether you decide to have your baby in hospital or at home, rest assured the safety levels are very high in Ireland and the professionals cover every angle, writes Deirdre Nolan
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/home-births-playing-it-safe-1747084.html
April 16th 2009
Annalisa Barbieri: I gave birth at home – and here's why -A hospital is not a natural environment for a natural event. English Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/annalisa-barbieri-i-gave-birth-at-home-ndash-and-heres-why-1669309.html
April 15th 2009
Wales pushes ahead on home births By Branwen Jeffreys Health correspondent, BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7999971.stm
April 15, 2009
Births at home as safe as hospital, study suggests
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6094366.ece
April 15th 2009
"The largest study of its kind has found that for low-risk women, giving birth at home is as safe as doing so in hospital with a midwife. " BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7998417.stm
April 12th 2009
Give me hospital over home birth any day. Women who think they can have a baby without 21st-century medicine are spoilt and complacent. London Times.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/melanie_reid/article6101189.ece
April 4th 2009
The new "natural" Caesarean
With more babies being born by Caesarean section, a new movement is campaigning to make the event a more "natural" experience Charlotte Edwardes
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6028478.ece
April 1 2009
Dad delivers baby in car after mum sent home by hospital
EMERGENCY: Little Sean just can't wait -- and pops out by side of road
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/dad-delivers-baby-in-car-after-mum-sent-home-by-hospital-1693703.html
March 27th 2009
"The father of a baby girl born on the roadside in west Clare complained yesterday that the HSE has refused to record his new daughter as a Clare baby, and instead has insisted on classifying her as Limerick-born." By Gordon Deegan
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/father-angry-as-roadside-baby-recorded-in-wrong-county-1688463.html
March 24th 2009
“A documentary, dealing with a woman’s ‘orgasmic rushes’ during labour, is being screened all over the world, including several recent midwifery gatherings in Britain, writes VIV GROSKOP” The Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0324/1224243299509.html
March 18 2009
Why I fired my doctor in the middle of labour. After an emergency C-section, Joanna Blakely was determined that her second child would have a natural birth, writes Siobhan O'Neill-White.
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/why-i-fired-my-doctor--in-the-middle-of-labour-1676002.html
March 16th 2009
"Niamh Mullen reports on the need to encourage women to breastfeed after a Dublin study reveals the extent of our poor breastfeeding rates. More support and better information is needed from GPs and maternity hospitals to encourage women to breastfeed after another survey has shown abysmal rates of breastfeeding in Ireland." Irish Medical Times
http://www.imt.ie/opinion/2009/03/irelands_abysmal_rate_of_breas.html
Feb 24th 2009
"KiITTY HOLLAND analyses the reasoning behind a long-awaited report, released at the weekend, which recommends closing Dublin’s three maternity hospitals and transferring them elsewhere" The Irish Times, Health Plus
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0224/1224241702818.html
Feb 21st 2009
"Dublin's maternity hospital master posts are to be phased out under recommendations in a major new blueprint for maternity services." irishhealth.com
http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=15102
Feb 21st 2009
"THE relocation of Dublin's three maternity hospitals must be urgently pushed through to deliver 21st century facilities for mothers and babies, a new report recommended yesterday." The Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/maternity-hospitals-need-new-sites-soon-1648388.html
Feb 20th 2009
"Dublin’s three main maternity units should be shut down and relocated next to the capital’s main hospitals, a consultants’ report on maternity services in the Greater Dublin area has recommended. The report, carried out by KPMG Consultants and published today by the Health Service Executive, said pressure on the r*, c*e and National Maternity Hospital is leading to a significant rise in the risk of serious incidents." The Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0220/breaking75.html
Feb 21st
Dublin maternity hospitals to relocate
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0221/1224241590769.html
Note: KMPG Review of Maternity Services Report can be found at http://www.HSE.ie
Note: The HBA was one of the many voluntary groups that made a submission to the KPMG report. Both Krysia and Padraicin attended several consultation days.
February 23rd 2009
"EXPECTANT mothers are at risk of infection and "serious untoward incidents" due to the strain on maternity services in the Dublin area, a disturbing new report has found. " The Irish Independent By Grainne Cunningham
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/hospitals-are-forcing-women-to-give-birth-in-under-12-hours-1649744.html
Feb 11th 2009
"Midwifery scheme helps to reduce Caesarean section rate, but there is resistance to the scheme being extended, writes SARAH CAREY ." The Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0211/1233867931076.html
Feb 17th 2009
Interview with community midwives on Tubridy Show
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_tubridy.xml
February 2nd 2009
The birth of a child is an exciting time of celebration for the whole family. But when a child is born in our maternity hospitals, the celebrations are welcomed for very different reasons.
Instead of being welcomed as additions to our society, these new arrivals are almost immediately treated as economic units, valuable not only to the hospital earning some €6.53 per infant recorded but also to the company canvassing for personal details. This is a company which is also obtaining sensitive private information about children who are little more than 24 hours old. By Stephen McMahon
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/the-birth-of-a-child-is-not-a-commercial-opportunity-1623730.html
Feb 2nd 2009
"THE country's leading maternity hospital is giving a marketing company access to mothers and their newly born babies in a desperate attempt to raise cash." Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/maternity-hospital-allows-marketing-reps-on-wards-1623729.html
U tube piece on midwifery led care
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=IQEFit9733I
January 29th 2009
"A BABY has died after being born during an ambulance journey from Mullingar to a Dublin hospital. Medics pulled the ambulance over on the side of the road to deliver the child when it became clear that the delivery would have to take place before the mother-to-be reached hospital in the capital." By Kevin DoyleHerald.ie
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/baby-girl-dies-after-being-born-in-ambulance-on-way-to-hospital-1619076.html
Jan 28th 2009
Charlotte Church (celebrity homebirth mum) has revealed her tips for getting through labour - curry and Phil Collins.
http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/charlotte-braves-labour-with-curry-and-phil-1617337.html
Jan 12th 2009
"THE heartbroken parents of a young mother who died giving birth rushed to the bedside of their newborn grandchild who was also fighting for its life last night." Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/newborn-fights-for-life-after-mum-dies-1598750.html
http://www.kerryman.ie/news/mothers-death-leads-to-kgh-maternity-review-1600846.html
Dec 17th 2008
RTÉ's Whistleblower drama showing the activities of disgraced Lourdes obstetrician Michael Neary has sparked a huge increase in the number of women seeking home births. By ANGELA MCCORMICK
http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/news/homebirth-enquiries-up-after-tv-show-1577735.html
Dec 7th 2008
Money Talks, Gareth Naughton - Stand and deliver: the huge cost of having a baby
Every woman in Ireland is entitled to free maternity care, but should you choose to go private, you will be faced with a range of options – and costs
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2008/dec/07/money-talks-gareth-naughton-stand-and-deliver-the-/?q=homebirth
Dec 13th 2008
Inquest report into the death of Garda Tania McCabe two days after hospital discharge
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1213/1229035665661.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1213/1229035665684.html
Oct 9th 2008
Babies with MRSA in Irish hospitals (Letterkenny) by Anita Guidera
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/mrsa-babies-spark-probe-calls-1493146.html
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/i-didnt-know-my-baby-could--catch-superbug-1493148.html
Sep 21st 2008
Maternity care in Ireland Sunday Business Post
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=INSIDE+STORY-qqqs=agenda-qqqid=35990-qqqx=1.asp
Sep 18th 2008
"THE time of day or night when a mother gives birth in a maternity hospital can influence whether she will have a complicated delivery or not, a new study revealed yesterday." Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/time-of-birth-a-factor-in-complicated-deliveries-1477417.html
Sep 3rd 2008
The number of babies delivered by Caesarean section has now climbed to one in four -- 26pc of all live births, according to a new report.
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/one-in-four-babies-now-being-delivered-by-caesarean-section-1468216.html
July 28th 2008
Out with the old, in with the new
Giving birth to a baby today is a speedy affair that can find the mother back at home as few as 24 hours after the fact. However 1970s mums did not enjoy much openness about pregnancy by Sue Leonard
http://www.independent.ie/health/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-1441969.html
July 14th 2008
A labour of love. In the western world, childbirth has become a predominantly medicalised event and a variety of pain-relief options are available in maternity hospitals, ranging from epidural, gas, to a Tens machine, to name a few. Now another thing can be added to that list: a partner who knows what shiatsu points to press to provide natural pain relief and support, aid the dilation of the cervix, shorten labour, or indeed induce labour should you rather not be artificially induced. By Niamh Hooper (Home birth mum)
http://www.independent.ie/health/alternative-health/a-labour-of-love-1432414.html
July 8th 2008
Rise of the 'freebirthers': the mothers defying their doctors
Claire Henry meets a mum who trod her own path
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/healthy-living/rise-of-the-freebirthers-the-mothers-defying-their-doctors-861878.html
May 18th 2008
Note: Great article on the safety of home births
The home truth about homebirths
Homebirths are becoming increasingly fashionable, but are they really a safe alternative to the hospital delivery suite?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article3908030.ece
May 7th 2008
Keeping mum on birth risk HOT TOPIC: One leading expert says fatalities and ‘near misses’ for mums are being under-reported. Peter Boylan talk about near maternal deaths in Irish maternity hospitals and how common they are.
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/keeping-mum-on-birth-risk-1368800.html
April 28th 2008
More women are choosing to have their babies in the comfort of their own home, but many find the service is not available in their area. We're always hearing stories about squeamish celebrities and women who are ‘too posh to push.' But now, it seems, the tide of birth has turned. Home birth is all the rage. Sue Leonard reports
http://www.independent.ie/health/case-studies/therersquos-no-place-like-home-ndash-to-give-birth-1361190.html
April 25th 2008
Birth of a revolution. The home birth rate is currently low, but inspired by Ricki Lake's new documentary and their own experiences of labour, campaigners are fighting to give women more choice. Joanna Moorhead reports
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/25/women.children
April 13, 2008 -
Born of frustration
With more women giving birth in Ireland now than at any time in the last 20 years, one thing expectant mothers can no longer expect is privacy and choice when giving birth. By Aileen O’Meara
http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/04/13/story31921.asp
Reply by Chair of AIMSI to comments by Prof Higgins in the article
http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/04/27/story32360.asp
March 11th 2008
Scores of pregnant women who feared their plans to give birth at home would have to be abandoned due to lack of insurance midwives will be relieved to learn that the threat has been lifted.
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/keeping-mum-on-birth-risk-1368800.html
Feb 13th 2008
Three young mothers-to-be went into labour and gave birth in three separate incidents within 24 hours in Co Clare without access to an ambulance or emergency medical support.
In one incident, a pregnant mother had to be driven 80km to hospital in her father's car after an ambulance was unable to respond quickly enough because of staffing problems.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/three-special-deliveries-but-no-ambulance-for-new-mums-1288382.html
Jan 21st 2008
THERE are just two dedicated midwife-led units in Ireland. These are in Our Lady's Hospital Drogheda and in Cavan. The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, has special rooms for use by women on their community midwife scheme. By Sue Leonard
http://www.independent.ie/health/midwifeled-schemes-in-ireland-1270145.html
Jan 21st 2008
'I gave birth the way I wanted to'
Giving birth can be a scary experience for some mothers, but these two women chose to take control, with the help of the Rotunda's domino scheme. By Sue Leonard
http://www.independent.ie/health/case-studies/i-gave-birth-the-way-i-wanted-to-1270146.html
Jan 13th 2008
Celebs, shock and gore! It's homebirth: the movie!Too posh to push? No longer. Instead of an elective Caesarian, these days the fashionable crowd is going for the full delivery experience - at home. And leading the way is ex-talk show queen Ricki Lake, whose graphic homebirth video is set to be shown on the big screen. By Viv Groskop
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/jan/13/healthandwellbeing.features
Nov 19th 2007
I first heard it said years ago that there's a conspiracy amongst women; those who have given birth don't share with their fellow sisters the full degree of the pain undergone in the process. By Niamh Hooper
http://www.independent.ie/health/alternative-health/take-the-trance-to-have-a-painfree-birth-1222891.html
Oct 21st 2007
Push comes to shove for home births
Inquest highlights urgent need for teamwork between maternity hospitals and midwives, writes Mary Leland THERE'S a headline to make the blood run cold: "Hospital access for independent midwives urged". What have we been doing, all our work for improvements in maternity services and the promotion of home births and of breast feeding, all the work, voluntary and professional through the last 30 or 40 years, that "urged" could be included in such a headline?
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/push-comes-to-shove-for-home-births-1200549.html
June 3rd 2007
Home-birth right under threat after insurance ruling. THOUSANDS of women who had hoped to give birth at home may now have to give birth in hospital after the INO executive committee announced its intention to withdraw indemnity insurance for independent midwives.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/homebirth-right-under-threat-after-insurance-ruling-690737.html
May 9th 2007
Going it aloneWhy would anyone choose to give birth without a doctor, midwife or even her partner in attendance? Viv Groskop reports on the growing trend for freebirth
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/may/09/health.medicineandhealth
May 12 2005
Woman also fears she'll have baby on side of N11
http://www.wicklowpeople.ie/news/woman-also-fears-shell-have-baby-on-side-of-n11-1021472.html
April 21st 2009
http://www.wicklowpeople.ie/news/rally-in-support-of-expectant-mother-1021128.html
Jan 21st 2005
Twins born 20 miles apart, one at home, one in hospital
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/twins-born-20-miles-apart-one-at-home-one-in-hospital-280877.html
Aug 17th 2004
Giving birth in the way Mother Nature intended
Nov 20th 2003
Home birth case mums face huge legal bill
http://www.independent.ie/health/home-birth-case-mums-face-huge-legal-bill-197014.html
Nov 18th 2003
Is it safe to give birth at home?
http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/is-it-safe-to-give-birth-at-home-196682.html
Nov 6th 2003
Ruling hinders home-birth campaign SUPPORTERS of home births yesterday vowed to continue their battle to secure state aid for the service despite a Supreme Court ruling that relieved health boards of any legal obligation to provide home-birth mothers with financial help.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ruling-hinders-homebirth-campaign-195134.html
May 11th 2003
A bloody wonderful experience right in our own living room
http://www.independent.ie/health/a-bloody-wonderful-experience-right-in-our-own-living-room-490920.html
March 30th 2003
Hospitals reject patient of 'freelance' midwife.
THE legal right of a mother to give birth at home is being severely threatened by the refusal of hospitals to treat independent midwives' patients. HELEN BRUCE
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/hospitals-reject-patient-of-freelance-midwife-489570.html
Sep 3rd 2002
Mums-to-be lose home birth case
MUMS-TO-BE Melissa Lockhart, Caroline O'Brien, Sarah Clarke and Ann Brannick yesterday lost their High Court demand for an order directing their local health boards to provide them with midwifery services for home births. Mr Justice Andrias O' Caoimh, in a reserved judgment, held that the four women were not entitled to the service.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mumstobe-lose-home--birth-case-291480.html