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Report of the Select Committee on Intervention in Childbirth

Select Committee on Intervention in Childbirth· 21 September 1995general_report

This 1995 WA parliamentary report investigates high rates of childbirth intervention. It finds that while WA's obstetrics standards are high, intervention levels are unnecessarily high due to the dominance of the 'clinical model' of maternity care. The report advocates for 'shared care' and 'continuity of care' models, emphasising that childbirth is a normal, healthy event for most women.

Impact

Mothers, babies, midwives, GPs, obstetricians, hospitals, and the broader community are affected. The report aims to reduce unnecessary interventions, improve maternal satisfaction, and ensure safe childbirth practices.

healthpublic_sectorchildbirthinterventionmaternity careobstetricsmidwiferyshared carecontinuity of carecaesarean sectionpostnatal depressionWestern Australiaclinical modelbirth planantenatal educationlitigation

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