It is a pleasure to see this mailbase up and running, I join with everyone
else in thanking Jane for initiating it. Introducing myself briefly, my
name is Val Levy and I have been a midwife and midwife teacher (for more
years than I care to admit to). I have mainly practised in England, but I
am now in Hong Kong, working in the Chinese University as an associate
professor (midwifery). My main research interests are postnatal
depression, and informed choice. At the moment I am studying how HK
Chinese women experience postnatal depression (qualitative study).
Midwifery practice in HK is based very much upon the British model. The
system tends to be very hierarchical - things are slowly changing, however
and (some) midwives here are developing their roles, carrying out research
and gaining higher degrees. The first Master of Midwifery programme in HK
starts shortly in this department.
The birth rate has dropped in HK recently but is expected to rise again
sharply over the next several years as the economy recovers and more people
come to HK from mainland China. Practically all births take place in
Consultant units, and the care tends towards the interventionist/high tech.
Maternal and perinatal mortality rates are amongst the lowest in the
world, probably because of the prosperity and low parity of the women of
childbearing age, healthy nutrition etc. There is very little postnatal
care, however, and I suspect that there are lots of problems that go
unrecognised, partly because of the lack of pn care, and also perhaps
because of a reluctance to discuss such personal matters as painful
perineums, stress incontinence etc. My colleagues here and I are currently
putting together a proposal to study maternal morbidity in HK, if anyone
knows of a validated instrument to assess this (probably by means of
telephone interviews) I would appreciate the information.
Best wishes to all
Val Levy
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