Portland, OR- Calling all Homebirthers and Midwives

[Funny Face]

We are considering moving to Oregon but as a homebirth advocate, nurse and future midwife I'm wondering what the atmosphere in Portland is towards homebirth, out of hospital birth and midwives.

I'd love all of your input!

TIA!

[papayapetunia]

The atmosphere is really good here. :

[jstar]

i don't think it could actually get much better than this. you're a little 'wierd' if you choose a hospital birth

[Funny Face]

Awesome!

Does anyone know how the homebirth atmosphere is? Are the laws restrictive or difficult?

Thanks ladies!

[Reha]

Oregon has the best direct entry midwifery laws in the US.

http://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/DEM/DEMlaws_rules.shtml

All of Oregon is a great place to be a midwife!

[aolinsmama]

just another, yay for oregon and homebirth!!! i wonder what the percentages are, because it seems everyone i talk to in this amazing place homebirths!!!
i myself had a life changing homebirth after 2 cesareans-the support i received, not only from my midwives but from other mamas and friends was utterly amazing.

[hug-o-war]

Adding a YIPPEE for Oregon and HomeBirth! A fabulous atmosphere, at least speaking from where we live in Portland, as this is where our babies were born at home=) And it seems that compared to other states when a mama wants or needs to transfer to a hospital, the midwives generally know they will not be condescended...I don't know if that makes sense the way Ityped it though. I guess I mean that it won't be a situation where the hospital staff is rude because "these people tried a home birth". I hear stories from other cities in the US and it sucks because if a midwife or her client wants to transfer, the should be able to do so without worrying about the climate once they get there.
We love Portland! Wasn't on your list, but it is also very celebratory of breastfeeding here.

[mamaeliz]

Homebirthed my twins here w/fabulous MWs. Pretty big "cruncht" culture here, and I'm not even that crunchy