My Body, My Choice - Azure Rigney

Beyond The Rona

Our guest, Azure Rigney, is a former past president of Maternity Coalition, now the Queensland President of Maternity Choices.

On this episode of Beyond the Rona, we discuss the way we present consent in light of Covid19, pregnant people, bodily autonomy and the choice to vaccinate while pregnant.

I refer to an article in the Guardian discussing medical consent where an OBGYN is quoted as saying: “After more than 30 years as an obstetrician, this pandemic has made me reassess how I explain what I believe is the best care for those who trust me to safely see them through their pregnancy. Usually known for my no-nonsense attitude and forthright opinions, I have altered my approach to spend the time needed to understand my patients’ fears, unpack the information they’re bringing to their appointment and respect their opinions.” - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/19/after-30-years-in-obstetrics-covid-vaccination-has-made-me-reassess-my-advice-to-pregnant-patients

Azure discusses what we should be talking about when we discuss medical consent issues – ask your health care provider – what are the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, and what if we do Nothing?

Find out whether health care policies are based on any evidence at all? Or whether they are based on medicolegal, cultural or political ideologies? Whether those choices suit the individual at all?

We need health care and maternity care that is not only physically safe care but also psychosocially safe care.

Azure discusses the pros and cons of Fee for service funding models.

We discuss self-autonomy and choice in the birth reform space and how historically, medical dominance has demanded the woman to be passive in the birth reform space.

According to the evidence, Gold Standard Maternity care is Continuity of care with a known care provider – ideally a midwife. The place of birth is where you feel is safest for you and your baby (hospital, home or birth centre). This Gold Standard, economically superior, and safer model of care should be publicly funded and fully supported, with obstetric back up in case of emergency.

We discuss the pro-choice movement – people not wanting to be coerced, wanting to make a decision that is right for their bodies and their families.

Azure suggests people who are vaccine hesitant might be seeing the risk of death from Covid is low in Queensland; waiting for Novovax; feeling coerced; fearing the risk of adverse reactions – these might be reasons for hesitation for vaccination.

There is a question of how to live in harmony in our communities with both vaccinated and unvaccinated people? Azure’s suggestion was to create safe spaces for more vulnerable people once borders open.

Tim discusses what men can do to help support the birth reform movement and also how men make health decisions and where they get their health information from.

Azure voices her opinion on quotas in parliament – diversity helps, quotas help, but the most important factor, she believes, is to listen to consumers.

The WHO recommends a caesarean section rate of 10-15% and anything over that causes an increase in harm to women. We currently have a caesarean section rate of 37% meaning unnecessary harms for women.

Azure’s 3 Big Ideas:

1. Bundled maternity funding

2. Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act and having Obstetric Violence against women included in the Act

3. Easier complaints process eg PTSD claim form

Beyond the Rona Podcast is recorded in Logan, Queensland on Yuggera country. We acknowledge the traditional owners past, present and emerging.