Up until a few weeks ago, any Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) that assisted in a homebirth in Missouri faced the risk of being charged with committing a felony. But on June 24th, after nearly 25 years of waiting, the Missouri Supreme Court threw out a suit brought by a group of physicians, making it legal for Missouri midwives to practice openly and without fear of prosecution. I rejoice in this victory, which is not only a victory for midwives, but also a victory for families and the entire childbirth community as well! Read the entire press release of the Supreme's Court's ruling at the Friends of MO Midwives homepage.
My joy in this victory is not because I'm anti-hospital or anti-obstetrician. Rather, this is about offering families freedom to make truly informed, educated decisions about their births. Expecting Mamas deserve the right to choose the birthing location where they feel most comfortable, and for some women, that location will be in the safety and privacy of their own homes. In fact, when a laboring mom feels fear and anxiety, it can and often does inhibit her progress. This court ruling opens so many doors for families in Missouri!
2 comments:
Wow, this is huge! What a sweet victory for women in the state of Missouri!
I am celebrating with you! Praise the Lord! I can't believe MO is so backwards.....
Post a Comment