Demonstration for CT homebirth midwives ****** SEPT 22*****

[mamamille]

I'm sure they won't mind me sharing this new piece of news. I used Maryellen and Joan for the homebirth of my dd, and I can't say enough praise for these 2. They were so knowlegable and kind, and I have been so sad that they, and my choice, have been put to trial. Personally I don't know how this differs from the witch trials... Please forward to anyone who would be interested. I hope to see you at the trial!
Peace, Camille

September 22, 2008 a hearing is scheduled to be held at 2 PM at New Britain Superior Court concerning the appeal by midwives Maryellen Albini and Joan Mershon against the Ct Medical Examining Board which issued a cease and desist the practice of medicine order to Albini/Mershon. The cease and desist order was requested by the state department of health following the complaint of a doctor who was involved in receiving a homebirth transport in May of 2000. Mother and baby are healthy and did not support the charges against their midwives. A series of hearings and testimony before an executive committee of the Medical Examining Board began in 2002 and continued through the fall of 2007. In the spring of 2008, the MEB issued the cease and desist order which we are now appealing.
The practice of midwifery is not the practice of medicine. Please support your midwives and the right of birthing families to make educated choices about concerning the births of their children. We are much more hopeful about getting an unbiased hearing through the court than we got through the MEB. While there will be no opportunity for public input, Please show your support by your presence at the hearing.
September 22, 2008
2 PM
New Britain Superior Court
20 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06501
Please forward this request to any interested parties. Thank you

[mamamille]

bump : )

[gretae]

what MD made the complaint? It certainly is like the witch trials. The state medical board is very powerful in this state and MD's are extremely conservative. My regular GYN staunchly refused to continue to see me for my pregnancy and I had to find a new one and then they made me sign a waiver and promise to attend all my prenatal visits with them or they would drop me from their caseload as well. Totally not fair! There is extremely limited options for birth in this state. There is only one birth center that I know of and the hospitals I have attended births at are NOT baby or mama friendly although they say they are. I wish I could attend the hearing! So unfortunate!

[luvmy2grls]

oh keep me up to date on this..Maryellen rented me my aquadoula, and Joan was at my birth... I birthed with birth and beyond but they were both an important part of my birth experience.

are there directions to the courthouse?

[mamamille]

September 22, 2008 a hearing is scheduled to be held at 2 PM at New Britain Superior Court concerning the appeal by midwives Maryellen Albini and Joan Mershon against the Ct Medical Examining Board which issued a cease and desist the practice of medicine order to Albini/Mershon. The cease and desist order was requested by the state department of health following the complaint of a doctor who was involved in receiving a homebirth transport in May of 2000. Mother and baby are healthy and did not support the charges against their midwives. A series of hearings and testimony before an executive committee of the Medical Examining Board began in 2002 and continued through the fall of 2007. In the spring of 2008, the MEB issued the cease and desist order which we are now appealing.
The practice of midwifery is not the practice of medicine. Please support your midwives and the right of birthing families to make educated choices about concerning the births of their children. We are much more hopeful about getting an unbiased hearing through the court than we got through the MEB. While there will be no opportunity for public input, Please show your support by your presence at the hearing.
September 22, 2008
2 PM
New Britain Superior Court
20 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06501
Please forward this request to any interested parties. Thank you

[mamamille]

bump : )

[mamamille]

bump : )

[ollineeba]

I was there today along with some other moms & babes (and one dad! :thumb).
A man from Channel 3 news was there and interviewed the midwives' lawyer and took a lot of footage of everyone. Not sure what time it will be on, but look for it!
He said he thinks the Medical Examining Board tipped them off to the case, but it worked to our advantage, I think, since he only spoke with our side.

[ollineeba]

It was on right at 5:30.
I will see if I can find a clip to link here..

[ollineeba]

Here is a clip:
http://www.wfsb.com/news/17533005/detail.html#-

This is the link. I thought it was mostly good-- although she really
botched the ending there, when she said that families cannot choose a
homebirth unless they have a certified midwife in attendance. Where
the heck did that come from??
I'm guessing the confusion may have come from when the lawyer said
most times the only choice is a CPM, because there are so few CNMs in
the area willing to do a homebirth. Birth and Beyond simply can't
handle them all, and women should be able to choose whomever they
want, anyway.
But channel 3 sort of twisted that around, didn't they!
But please, if any of you get a chance, add your comment to the bottom
of the page there.

E
(the frumpy looking mom there with the adorable baby in a striped
sling! :)

[mamamille]

I'm so glad you went ollineeba! thank you! I wasn't able to be there but was keeping everyone in my thoughts yesterday... any news?