Alabama is a "Red State" filled with people who supposedly don't want government all up in our personal business. But, as we've seen time and time again, the state government doesn't mind interfering with womens' lives and personal business. In fact, when you're talking about reproductive choices, interference is generally state policy.
It's against the law in Alabama for a midwife to attend a home birth. Certainly, there are cases where the birth requires medical intervention. But the majority of standard, uncomplicated births do not. Even so, women in Alabama aren't free to make their own decisions about what's best for them.
...research consistently confirms the safety of planned out-of-hospital birth attended by a trained midwife, Alabamians do not have that legal option. The state currently recognizes only Certified Nurse Midwives, who are not trained in out-of-hospital care, and are only attending hospital births. Families who desire out-of-hospital birth must travel outside of the state, find a midwife willing to risk prosecution, or give birth unassisted.
Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Shannon Burdeshaw, a retired midwife and the president of the Alabama Midwives Alliance. She described the situation succinctly:
A woman can choose to birth at home, she can even hire a midwife. But the midwife is subject to prosecution in Alabama. A family member, even a stranger off the street is protected by the good samaritan law, but a qualified professional in an out of hospital birth is not. This is absurd and unjust.
Learn more about the issue and find out how to help change Alabama's outdated laws on the flip.
Per Ms. Burdeshaw, ALMA was formed to promote midwifery in Alabama:
The purpose of ALMA is to preserve the art and practice of midwifery and to act as a self-governing body for those interested in midwifery as a profession in the state of Alabama. ALMA has the following goals:
To educate the public regarding home birth alternatives
To ensure the future of midwifery through education
To facilitate communication among midwives
To promote and protect the legal status of midwives in Alabama.
We support communication, education and legalization for consumers and providers of midwifery services. We are seeking common ground for developing long term relationships with healthcare practitioners in this state. We have access to a grass roots network of over 500 families who are actively involved in monitoring and networking on health and family issues.
The Alabama Birth Coalition is actively pursuing legislation which ALMA supports. They have experienced lobbying teams possessing evidence-based research to answer any of your questions regarding the CPM credential, accountability, costs, etc.
ALMA is trying to put together a broadbased coalition to support their cause. They're reaching out to community groups, health care organizations, and online communities like Left in Alabama.
ALMA has studied the model of the "Free the Hops" coalition and hopes to assemble a similar grassroots effort. They have their work cut out for them: for most Alabamians, the prospect of more and better beer is a bigger incentive to citizen action than the availability of legal midwife services.
So, won't you guys help?
Our Left in Alabama community is - for the most part - composed of people willing to "think outside the box" - or outside the hospital. Sure, some of us may never need or want this service, but this really seems like an issue where we should trust Alabama women to make their own choices. (Thanks Kathy, for the editing here!)
It only takes a minute to sign up as a supporter and help increase the choices for Alabama's pregnant women.
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