The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS,
a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA
An interactive resource for moms on easy steps they can take to reduce exposure to chemical toxins during pregnancy. Other excellent resources about avoiding toxins during pregnancy These are easy to read and understand and are beautifully presented. |
[After a local publication had an article praising CNMs but misrepresenting
DEMs.]
Frustrating isn't it.......
You might thank them for the article and go on to add.... but do you know there is a traditional professional counterpart to the CNM, she is the CPM and directly enters into her studies in the field of midwifery, her scope of practice might include the use of herbs, homeopathy....yet she is certified in CPR and Neonatal resuscitation and has probably spent many years in training specifically to do midwifery. She is not a medical practitioner but an expert in the field of normal childbirth...she is qualified to work at home and in birth centers, she does not rely on drugs and knives but instead hones the skills of her hands and focuses on prevention, top notch pre-natal nutrition, importance of emotions, family situation.....she spends much more time with clients, treats them as equal partners, provides more per dollar, and strives to empower birthing women and their families.........
She interfaces with the medical community and will refer a client if something outside her scope of practice occurs......
You might agree with the tone of the article and highlight the medical emphasis of nurse-midwifery, nurses first, midwife second, and then go on to explain what is direct-entry midwifery, what is a CPM (that the experiential requirements are on par/beyond those of medical birth practitioners)...maybe profile a local direct-entry midwife include her educational background, include International definition of a midwife (she practices autonomously, not under physician supervision as in required in most states,) and compare direct-entry midwifery to European midwifery and so on............
Just some thoughts to take or leave as you wish.....
I too feel frustrated to be treated as second rate because I chose the
non-medical path to midwifery. There is a lot of education to be done reminding
people that birth is not a medical event.
I want to thank everyone for their advice and feedback. I decided to be gentle, because I really do have respect for all birth practitioners and just wanted DEM's included and respected. Here is my response, which is being printed in today's paper. Let me know what you think.
I wanted to thank the Spartanburg Herald Journal for its coverage of a subject long overdue for publicity. "Labor of Love: Midwives Deliver Nature's Miracles" was a wonderful portrayal of the certified nurse midwives that we are lucky enough to have in our area. I am glad that Spartanburg women have a choice that affirms the normalcy and empowerment of birth.
However, the same article was sorely lacking in equal coverage for another birth choice South Carolina women have. Mr. Neely completely ignored the other midwives that have also "passed their boards" and are "licensed by the state". In South Carolina, we are lucky that women have fought for the right to choose where they can give birth. Licensed midwives are few compared to OB/GYN's and CNM's, but are a valid choice for those who wish to give birth in the most normal and natural environment of all - home. These midwives must also pass rigorous testing and are able to receive reimbursement from some insurance companies and Medicaid.
In regards to the "boil-some-water-and -hang-a-quilt kind of women"
statement, perhaps Mr. Neely should have investigated the reasons that
past midwives used such procedures before dismissing them. Boiling water
was used by midwives to heat the compresses that were applied to the perineum.
This helped prevent tears during birth by stretching and expanding the
tissues. Such low-tech procedures are the hallmark of the midwifery model
of care that ALL midwives strive to provide.
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