thanks so much for signing!
please everyone, i would hope that there are at least 1000 people out there in this world that feel strongly about homebirth and midwives to sign this petition to protect them. the details are at the bottom of the page. they are proposing more regulations to move towards ousting the midwifery profession in this state. passing these proposals can also affect other states to be unfriendlier towards midwives. i believe louisiana has one of the highest epidural and caesarean rates in the country. i can respect that many women chose this form of birth. i cannot respect that the medical community has any right to infringe on people's right to contract others than ob's.
right now the only main criteria is two backup doctor visits, one to ascertain pg and do basic required tests, and one at 36 weeks. the medical community in louisiana has already made a point to avoid being backup. i had a friend last year that called forty doctors and they all refused, but one who said he would consent if she would pay the entire prenatal fee. i myself have had to sneaky and be treated badly by a clinic in order to gain my two visit criteria. there is an unprofessional and uncaring sentiment towards the health of those who refuse to abide by medical policy and standard.
one question i had is if something dire had happenned that caused these regulations to be proposed. my understanding is that there has been no case of midwifery neglect or harm or death. it is simply about the ego of the local medical profession, who has nothing better to do than get riled up about the 1% percent of births in this state with midwives. this 1% of course has better statistics than the rest of the 99% births. please understand that the "midwifery advisory board" that made these proposals is two doctors, a third party citizen, and two midwives that were outvoted.
if you are interested in writing letters, i can give that information as well.
i deeply apologize for the incendiary quality of all this. i have moved back and forth from feeling upset and feeling apathy. this particular forthcoming hearing is not a gentle and peaceful situation, it is unfortunately more of an emergency where things have continued to go wrong.
