The Royal Australia/New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) published their Winter O & G Magazine with a focus on sustainability, and how woman’s health and sustainability are “inextricably linked” – Vol 26(2).

All articles are free to access https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/

• A sacred connection with the land. Bailey Parata Thomas (Ngai Tahu. Te Atiawa), who is a Māori women’s health advisor for RANZCOG wrote about Māori and the sacred connection to the land.

“In the heart of te ao Māori (Māori world view), the concept of ‘whenua’ holds deep significance, a significance that extends to the essence of birth and the interconnectedness of land, ancestry, and identity. Understanding the dual meaning of ‘whenua’ in te reo Māori offers insights into the holistic view held by many wāhine Māori, and the broader cultural context in which childbirth occurs.”

Open access article – https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/a-sacred-connection-with-the-land/

• Sustainable practices in midwifery. Midwives Tani Paxton & Adjunct Associate Professor Alison Weatherstone write about sustainable practices in midwifery and the actions the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) are taking to address sustainability and climate change.

“ACM acknowledges the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on maternal health. In our submission on the National Health and Climate Strategy, we emphasised the importance of midwives’ role in understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change. The organisation believes that midwives can play a crucial part in educating women, their families, and the profession about the impact of climate change on childbearing women and steps to reduce its impact.”

Open access article – https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/sustainable-practices-in-midwifery/

• Can breastfeeding mitigate the impact of climate change? Researcher at the Australian National University Dr Libby Salmon writes about breastfeeding and sustainability and whether breastfeeding can mitigate the impact of climate change.

“Breastfeeding has long been recognised as an environmentally sustainable way to feed infants and young children, because it does not generate the substantial greenhouse gas emissions, water and fertiliser consumption, contamination and other environmental degradation, (including land fill) associated with the dairy industry and the manufacture, transport and packaging of commercial milk formula¹. The production of commercial milk formulas doubles the ‘carbon footprint’ of breastfeeding. Annual emissions for commercial milk formulas range from 4-14 kg CO₂ eq across the full life cycle of product production and use. In addition, each kilogram of formula requires 6280L of water (including 699L of ‘blue’ water and rainwater for fodder for raw milk production.”

Open access article https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/breastfeeding-climate-change/

Other articles of interest that are available in this edition.

• Why the environment matters for women and children’s health – Associate Professor Kenneth Winkel and Adjunct Associate Professor Marion Carey

https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/why-the-environment-matters-for-women-childrens-health/

• Sustainability in health care – Dr Kate Wylie https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/sustainability-in-healthcare/
• Air Pollution and pregnancy – Dr Kristine Barnden https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/air-pollution-and-pregnancy/
• Testing for nitrous oxide leaks in Australian Hospitals – Dr Rebecca McIntyre https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/testing-for-nitrous-oxide-leaks-in-australian-hospitals/
• The benefits of a sustainable diet – Dr Michael Schien https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/the-benefits-of-a-sustainable-diet/
• Environmental sustainability in anaesthesia – Dr Emily Balmaks and Dr Forbes McGain https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/26/2-26/environmental-sustainability-in-anaesthesia/