Prosecution of Midwife Casts Light on Home Births

The New York Times ^ | April 3, 2006 | ADAM LIPTAK

[roadcat]

So being in the hospital was a good thing (darn keybd on 1st reply).

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Whoops my post #20 was meant for DB.

[pandoraou812]

Thats cool. I don't have a problem with midwives as long as they are licensed. I didn't mention suing by the way...I wouldn't sue because the baby died if I had one at home, it would be my fault too. I went all though high school with my obgyn Dr and he and I have a wonderful relationship. I did have to be induced as I was high risk and my health was at stake. But I had no pain meds and it was pretty much a breeze. All 3 of my deliveries except for the 20 yr olds were all under 2 hours . I just personally would want a hospital. My doctor wanted me to stay in the hospital after my daughter's birth for 5 days ...I went home on the 2nd day. It was the 20 yr olds birthday and I promised him ziti. I just don't understand why woman want these births at home with their little children watching etc. I wouldn't even let my husband be at my daughter's birth because he has a weak stomach and I didn't need to worry about him. lol

[snodog]

You listed several worst case situations, that could arise during child birth, and intimated that only a well educated, licensed health care "professional" would be able to handle such situations.

What if all of the things you listed actually happened, and the children lived with out a "trained" professional attending? Would you consider that just dumb luck, or an act of god?

[bd476]

I don't know if anyone can predict a legal outcome based on a hypothetical scenario.

Maybe the questions needing to be asked are:

1. Should midwives be required to obtain medical education from a licensed university or college?

2. Upon completion of their education, should midwives then be required to pass a mandatory test?

3. Upon passing a mandatory test, should midwives then be required to apply for a license to practice midwifery?

4. Once licensed to practice midwifery, should midwives be required to taking continuing medical education courses, and then take subsequent tests in order to stay current with all medical research?

My answer is yes to all of the above, because that is what is required of Registered Nurses, and in some cases, it is also required of Licensed Vocational (or Practical) Nurses (LVN or LPN).

[SuziQ]

Our oldest was born in 1979. Our doctor was a Resident at the Hospital, and several of our friends expressed surprise that we would be going to him because, "he wasn't a real doctor yet". He was, he was just doing his specialty training at the time in Family Practice. He began getting into trouble with the authorites at the hospital, though, because he was doing home births. His reasoning was that if he didn't go to the homes, the births would be done by someone who didn't have his training, so he felt a need to be there.

This was Tallahassee FL, and there was a good sized 'hippy' population at the time, who just refused to go to hospitals to have their children.

I didn't like staying in the hospital too long after their births, but I would not have given birth at home. There are just too many things that can go wrong at the last minute, even with seemingly normal pregnancies.

[bd476]

snodog wrote: "So you know better than nature who should survive and who shouldn't. Interesting. Thats not a god complex I seem developing is it?"

After reading my post, you derive a god complex?

Reading and comprehension problems are easily remedied these days.

[pandoraou812]

The role of the father as the head of the household is at the center of the Quiverfull movement. HMMMM I don't quite think that would go over here at Pandora's house. We have to agree on everything. If my husband who is only the father of my 7 yr old were to make every decision I wouldn't like that one bit. My children's ages run from my 27 yr old daughter , to my adopted sons 26 and 25, my natural sons 24 and 20. Then came Lela the 7 yr old. So I have a huge age difference here. My older children look at my husband as a father but they also have their own father too. We all get along really well and spend a lot of time together. I think if you want and can afford a large family go for it. But I know from the ages of my older children it isn't easy to give each child the amount of time they truly wanted and needed. I am blessed that the 4 boys all looked out for each other and they always have had a good relationship. My biggest problem was the 27 yr old daughter. She went wild at a young age and taught me that sometimes tough love is the answer.

[bd476]

happinesswithoutpeace wrote: "....'While I don't think it should be a crime I do think it is foolish when there's a choice.'..."

Those aren't my words, that's something I didn't write.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

I know..that is why I directed it to DB in post #22. My bad.

[PAR35]

April 3, 2006

[bd476]

happinesswithoutpeace wrote: "I know..that is why I directed it to DB in post #22. My bad."

Thanks. :-)

[bd476]

Yes, that is the correct date.

[BlackVeil]

I agree with you - too many regulations. I also have noticed that women who give birth at home tend to have more children, and I think that is a good thing, with the birthrate in Western countries so low.

It should be up to the individual to choose. Also, if a baby does die in childbirth - well, that is what happened. It happens in hospitals too. It is sad, but there are no guantees in this world.

[TChris]

Midwives see it differently. They say the ability of women to choose to give birth at home is under assault from a medical establishment dominated by men who, for reasons of money and status, resent a centuries-old tradition that long ago anticipated the concerns of modern feminism.

That sounds about right to me. There's no reason why a woman shouldn't be able to choose whom she wishes to help her deliver her baby.

Do the doctors think they'll be sued if the midwife screws up? I just don't see the rationale, aside from sheer greed.

[pandoraou812]

It should be up to the individual to choose. Also, if a baby does die in childbirth - well, that is what happened. It happens in hospitals too. It is sad, but there are no guarantees in this world.

Yes I agree it should be up to you to choose. I just hope that people who deliver at home choose to used midwives who have experience and are licensed. I think it is easy to just say if a baby dies - well that is what happened. Unfortunately when a baby dies it isn't as easy dealing with it as your statement. The mother goes through hell. Have you ever lost a child or had a miscarriage?

[rebelyell7]

That sounds about right to me. There's no reason why a woman shouldn't be able to choose whom she wishes to help her deliver her baby.

By that statement I take it you mean that there's no reason anybody shouldn't be able to surgically operate or practice medicine on another person without any kind of license? Because that's effectively what this is, only worse, as it affects the life of an innocent child -- hence the interest of the doctors and nurses who will have to treat the anoxic, brain damaged baby.

I have no idea why this is even an issue. I suppose it's just hippie earth-motherism taken to its logical extreme. Nobody seems to raise a fuss when people get arrested for doing lipo without a license and that just threatens the excessively vain, but apparently it's A-ok to roll the dice on your kid with some person who has no required education or experience in obstetrics.

[rebelyell7]

I should note that I am in favor of licensed midwives, though I have seen enough complicated births that required an entire OR team that I wouldn't use one.

[bd476]

T Chris wrote: "...That sounds about right to me. There's no reason why a woman shouldn't be able to choose whom she wishes to help her deliver her baby."

The law doesn't prohibit the pregnant woman from hiring the kid next door to help deliver her baby, it prohibits the kid next door from calling herself a medical professional.

Using the argument of there being too many laws, too many restrictions and everyone has the right to buy snake oil from a traveling huckster, why should there be any laws requiring medical education, board exams and licensing for physicians, registered nurses, vocational nurses, physical therapists, radiology techs, respiration techs, medical techs, pharmacists, chiropractors, doctors of osteopathy, etc?

For that matter, why bother licensing cab drivers, truck drivers, automobile drivers, plumbers, electricians, contractors, airplane and jet pilots, helicopter pilots, etc.

Is there a need to have laws requiring education, testing and licensing for any occupations? Food for thought.

[snodog]

After reading my post, you derive a god complex?

Reading and comprehension problems are easily remedied these days.

Was my comment so good you had to respond twice?

Oh I get it, you are just trying to reinforce my comprehension, cause you are a trained "professional" and I have a learning disability, your being compashinate for thyose of us that'r stoopid.

Your rite, how could I ever question a "professional" care giver, you know everything, I am wrong, I'm always wrong, I'm so stoopid.

Nope no god complex here, just an over educated simpleton. Your so smart, your my friend now.