KEY POINTS:
The lives of mothers and newborn babies are being put at risk by the country's maternity system, according to a controversial new book by a Christchurch doctor.
The Baby Business, by Lynda Exton, claims the maternity system has become more dangerous since the 1990 maternity reforms that allowed midwives to practise independently of doctors, The Press reported today.
It said women were more likely to die from childbirth than at any time in the past three decades and babies were now more likely to contract a potentially serious infection during birth than in the past.
The "maternity scandal" also said expectant mothers struggled to get midwives and women were being pushed out of hospital sooner after the birth than was healthy.
Dr Exton predicted that in 10 years "there will be an independent inquiry into all the avoidable deaths and disabilities caused by the system".
"Everyone is affected by maternity care and as a country we deserve better than the system we have now."
While midwives did a wonderful job, at least a third of women needed a doctor's input during labour or birth and it was not acceptable that they now had to pay for that, Dr Exton said.
An independent national review of maternity service was needed as well as a national database giving women comprehensive information on birth scenarios, such as home births, caesareans and relative risks.
Health Ministry chief adviser for child and youth health Dr Pat Tuohy told the newspaper said he had not read Dr Exton's book.
However, information contained in promotional material for the book was "misleading, sensational and factually incorrect". Data suggested the infant mortality rate was a record low, not worsening, he said.
New Zealand College of Midwives chief executive Karen Guilliland said Dr Exton's claims were not "what the published data shows".
New Zealand compared pretty well internationally for birth outcomes, she said.
- NZPA
