More Midwives

Cnn.com reports that, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of midwife-assisted births doubled from 1990 to 2003 (from 4 to 8 % of all U.S. births). I think it's wonderful that more women are becoming aware of this birthing option. I loved the prenatal care I received at The Birth Center in Philadelphia, where the nurse-midwives scheduled appointments for a full half hour and were always happy to answer my questions.

In Missouri, though, options for midwife-assisted births are more limited. According to Friends of Missouri Midwives, "in Missouri, independent midwives cannot legally care for pregnant moms, nor attend their births. Even Certified Nurse Midwives, who can legally practice under a doctor's supervision, have limited opportunities to do so in Missouri." My health insurance plan does not cover a single midwife in Missouri.

There is, however, an underground network of lay midwives. I know a woman who is due in June. She had a lay midwife at the homebirth of her first child and is planning on doing the same for the new baby. She told me that if I get pregnant again, she can take my name and have a midwife call me, but that most lay midwives won't reveal their names unless they know a pregnant woman is serious about receiving their services because they're afraid of prosecution. It blew my mind that in this day and age, midwives must operate like criminals in Missouri. Friends of Missouri Midwives have so far been unsuccessful in convincing the legislature to change the laws, but they've vowed to try again next year.

I believe that the midwifery model of birth is safe for most women, and it's even safer when backed up by the medical system (as at Philadelphia's Birth Center). It saddens me that Missouri's women lack the full range of birth options.