With the current caesarean rate of one in every three births, which is inexcusably high, I can understand the desire of many parents to move away from mainstream birthing options. We forget birth is a natural process.

The bones of a newborn baby's head are not fused as they are in older children and adults. During the pressure of birth, the side bones overlap each other, whilst the frontal and back bones also compress further aiding the birth process, which is why a baby's head can appear a little squashed at birth but soon resumes its normal shape and appearance.

Given the right support most mothers can deliver successfully without the wide array of intimidating interventions now so commonly used in birthing rooms.

Anyone can catch a baby that is being born of its own accord but only highly skilled obstetric staff can save that baby’s life and the mother’s too, if things go wrong, which they tend to do quickly therefore good back up is essential, particularly in Australia.

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In England, homebirth is common. The midwives are based at the local hospital, mothers have excellent prenatal care and only low-risk mothers birth at home with qualified staff in attendance. The hospital is notified when the labour commences and the flying squad is put on alert. Short distances from the hospital if needed and supportive hospital staff ensure the best possible outcomes.

In Australia, however, distances are vast. Homebirth is frowned on and there is considerable hostility towards any mother who has chosen to give birth at home and has needed to resort to medical assistance late in labour.

Careful choice of supportive doctors and midwives, a good understanding of the birth process and all tests and interventions now offered enables the mother to make informed decisions which she can discuss and plan with her attendants.

It is wise to remember babies do no reading and do not always accommodate their mother's hopes and wishes so as adults we all know we don't always get what we want just because we want it.

Doctors and staff need to recognise and promote the emotional bond between mother and baby which is formed in those precious few moments after birth and contributes immensely to the emotional well being of both by empowering mothers to birth as naturally as possible, by reducing interventions and drug use which may dull the natural bonding hormones released at this time thereby reducing the incidence of post natal depression and ensuring our mothers and babies are healthier, happier and more confident in themselves.

Lorna Read (‘Thanks Mr Aplin’, The Border Mail letters, August 18) thanks Greg Aplin for getting the hydrotherapy pool fixed and notes “no thanks to Albury City Council.”  As far as I am aware the pool is a facility operated by Albury Wodonga Health which draws its funding from the federal, NSW and Victorian governments. 

Why was it a responsibility of the Council to fix it? Yes, thanks Mr Aplin but there is no need to criticise local Councillors. It was never our responsibility.