The AMA is really making themselves look pretty bad here. Open mouth and insert foot. They've joined ACOG's movement with recent resolutions (Resolutions 204 and 205) both to completely BAN all homebirths AND births in freestanding birth centers and criminalize mothers who choose to continue doing this, plus they are going after the entire midwifery model of maternity care by suggesting all non-nurse midwives be OUTLAWED, and nurse midwives come under even greater levels of OB control. Um, what? And, to make it even better, these resolutions are made with absolutely no medical basis. They don't mention a single study, a single statistic, or even a promise that this would be good for mothers and babies. Nope. Their resolutions read more like, "I'm scared for my job and Ricki Lake has made this powerful movie that makes us look really bad so now we better just throw everyone in jail and make it a law that all pregnant women must pay us directly...no other options."
Reaction in the normal birth world is mixed. Some are scared, just because it does suggest there will be a fight ahead and the AMA is waaaaay more powerful than any midwife group (the AMA controls the entire insurance industry, for example). Others think this is good publicity for midwifery and for homebirths. Because their statements are sooo outrageous and have no medical basis, they do seem rather ridiculous. Kinda like shooting guns with no bullets. I have a difficult time seeing how this could ever become a real law...given there is NO medical research supporting the AMA and ACOG's statements (quite the opposite actually).
Well, I'll tell you how much this has changed my mind. I had a very nice talk with my HOMEBIRTH-ONLY, NON-NURSE MIDWIFE yesterday. I'll be seeing her apprentice as my primary midwife, so not only is she NOT a nurse, she isn't even certified OR licensed. HA! And thankfully, my right to do this is completely protected by the fabulous state of Oregon.
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2 comments:
O.M.G.
Are you serious? Are THEY serious???? They will never admit that pregnancy outcomes are BETTER in homebirth than in "traditional" obstetric/hospital births.
As if hospitalization for normal birth were "traditional."
Stay at home, moms...
I had a homebirth in 1980 and would NEVER go to a hospital for birth again (even if I were still of childbearing age.) I do not believe in routine hospitalization for normal birthing.
You're right, they're afraid for their jobs.
I found your blog by clicking "Appalachian Trail" under "Interests."
My own that are in line with yours(although the ones I have listed in my profile are different):
Babies. Grandbabies. Breastfeeding (La Leche Leader for 7 years back in the 1980's). Birth education (childbirth teacher back then, too.) Homebirth. Infant/maternal health. Long-distance hiking. Backpacking. Appalachian Trail (planning a thru-hike for next year, postponed a year because of a new grandbaby.)
We are sisters!!!
HOME AND BIRTH ARE MY TWO FAVORITE WORD COMBOS!
SHINE ON!!
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