March for Midwives

On March 2, Todd, Cory and I went to the state capital building here in Raleigh to participate in a walk in favor of licensing midwives. We were so grateful that we had the option to have Cory at home. Unfortunately, now our midwife doesn't even want to sign any documents for us out of fear that she may get into legal trouble. While it is legal to be a midwife in North Carolina and legal for me to have my baby at home, it is illegal for a midwife to attend my home birth. Both sides of the home birth debate feel that theirs is the one that is the safest and most healthy. As with most debates there is very little hope in deterring either side from their opinions. I know that from where I stand home birth worked for us. Similar to hospital birth, it is very important to have a competent professional with you who knows what they are doing. I believe our midwife was an excellent example of the kind of midwife that can get a woman through a birth successfully. I think it is a shame that she is afraid of legal action simply for doing what she does so well for women who know what they are getting into and want what she offers. These are not back alley abortions we are talking about. They are beautiful births in a calm environment accompanied by a professional with training and equipment, but most importantly, compassion and understanding. I love my midwife for allowing me to have control of my birth, and I will do whatever I need to in her support to allow other women the option I had. Thanks, nameless midwife!