The Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health hosted the inaugural BACI Consortium Seminar in November 2008. The BACI (Birth after Caesarean Interventions) is a multidisciplinary and multi centre Consortium that focuses on women having their first baby and on women who have had a primary caesarean section. Caroline Homer and Maralyn Foureur hosted the day on behalf of the BACI Consortium. More than 80 midwives and doctors attended including visitors from the Japan, Fiji and Micronesia.
The aim of BACI is to undertake a program of research that addresses the issue of keeping birth normal and repeat caesarean section following a primary caesarean birth through a collaborative consortium of researchers from a number of disciplines. The establishment of BACI has been supported by an Encouragement Grant from the Australian Research Network for Children and Youth (ARACY).
Speakers on the day brought together researchers from other universities including Hannah Dahlen from the University of Western Sydney on VBAC blogs – An analysis of internet information and stories; Jenny Fenwick from Curtin University on the Next Birth after CS Clinic; Allison Shorten from Wollongong University on Using decision-aids in VBAC decision making and Jenny Gamble from Griffith University who presented ongoing NHMRC-funded research on a midwifery intervention to promote resilience.
Caroline Homer presented an analysis of Trends in Vaginal Birth After Caesarean in NSW from 1998-2005 using data from the statewide Midwives Data Collection. Trent Miller, obstetrician from St George Hospital, gave an excellent overview on vaginal birth after caesarean section; Carolyn Hastie from the Belmont Birthing Service talked about strategies to keep birth normal; Clare Ryan and Maralyn presented an ongoing analysis of 6 international guidelines on VBAC and Nicky leap presented Findings from the learning package for midwifery and medical students/using video clips. Finally, Lucy Partridge from the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building presented her design for a beautiful birth centre which we all wanted to go and work in.
It was a great day and highly evaluated by the attendees. We came away with lots of new ideas and inspiration. Thank you to all the presenters and the participants.
