The secret for enabling The secret for enabling natural birthsnatural births

Andrea RobertsonAndrea Robertson

Director, Birth InternationalDirector, Birth International

Sydney, AustraliaSydney, Australia

Baby Callum was born safely in his parents flooded house and were airlifted out by helicopter a day later.

The Australian aboriginal people are the oldest race – 40,000 years of continuous presence on earth

Birth scene from the Bayon Temple, Ankor Wat Cambodia, circa 1000 AD

Current WHO statisticsCurrent WHO statistics::

• ItalyItaly 37.4% 37.4%

• USAUSA 30.2% 30.2%

• AustraliaAustralia 30.8%30.8%• CanadaCanada 26.3%26.3%

• GermanyGermany 27.8% 27.8%

• IrelandIreland 25.4%25.4%• FranceFrance 18.8%18.8%

Countries with a midwifery model Countries with a midwifery model of careof care

• The NetherlandsThe Netherlands 13.7% 13.7%

• NorwayNorway 16.6% 16.6%

• SwedenSweden 16.5% 16.5%

• New ZealandNew Zealand 23.7% 23.7%

• United KingdomUnited Kingdom 24.3% 24.3%

Traditional birth attendant in Uganda

Traditional Birth Attendant Hanifa holds her tool kit in which she keeps basic equipment to assist with childbirth in an Afghan village.

So what is the secret for So what is the secret for enabling natural births?enabling natural births?

Family Birth Centre, King Edward Hospital, Perth, Western Australia

Acuario Birth Centre, Valencia, Spain

Traditional tatami mats and birth aids in St Lukes Birth Centre Tokyo

From little things, big things grow………

Leave us women aloneLeave us women alone

to give birth to our babies as to give birth to our babies as Nature intends……..Nature intends……..

Thank you……..