The Freedom to Exit

On January 24, midwives, people who have given birth under the care of midwives, and people who might consider it, rallied at the Capital. It was well attended and covered relatively well by the media. Great posters stating "A midwife helped me out" were displayed. Awesome! This is just the start, however.


To quote Kyndal "Last week, you all stood as examples of what Coleen Goodwin told the Channel 2 news reporter Thursday morning: women and their families will FIGHT for their right to the care provider and kind of birth that best fits their values and their needs. Some will even break the law for it (in states where midwifery is illegal—although that was edited out of her comments).

That will not happen here, BECAUSE OF YOU. And midwives will have an opportunity to become licensed BECAUSE OF YOU. And the definition of normal birth will not change BECAUSE OF YOU. And the definition of the scope of practice for midwives will not change BECAUSE OF YOU. And more midwives will practice here in Idaho and more birth centers will open and thrive and more babies and mothers will have the kind of care and birth they deserve BECAUSE OF YOU. AND that is why we are all doing this,,. YES?"

So, there is work to be done. Letter writing, emails, unified efforts to raise awareness that have babies with midwives is normal, healthy, and safe. This is a FREEDOM OF CHOICE issue. May I choose who helps in the delivery of my baby? I can choose who do see to clean my teeth; administer my annual pap; looks at that weird skin patch and diagnose what it is and advise what to do about it. Choice is key here. May I choose the best care for my family - you better believe it!

Beyond choice is cost effectiveness. Really, saving money is on everyone's mind - is it not? With recession looming, it is a serious issue. With the health care crisis in full swing, it is a serious issue. Knowing that having a baby under the care of a licensed, professional, highly trained and experienced midwife could save our state a LOT of money, should peak all of our interests.

It costs almost $10,000 to have a hospital birth - more if there are drugs or other interventions. If a healthy, low-risk pregnant woman without health insurance seeks to have a baby under the care of midwives AND it saves thousands of dollars, why would doctors, legislators, and others under the guise of "medical professionals" seek to eliminate this option?? I am not proposing or even advocating that all woman should take the route of midwifery care, BUT if a woman wanted to and the end result -- healthy baby, healthy mother -- comes about, why shouldn't it be an option?

So, what is the legislation in front of the legislature? In a nutshell it is the voluntary licensure of midwives.

Licensure allows midwives to carry lifesaving medicines such as, ready for a heavy technical term??...oxygen!
Licensure allows midwives to be in a position to have access to 3rd party payers (aka Health Insurance and Medicaid).
Licensure provides consumers (you and I) open access to health care choice and choice in providers.

Blog at the Statesman - last I checked, this link expired...
PUSH for Midwives site



Babies born under the care of midwives...