[Faithsmom]

Hi all! I was wondering if you all know where I can look for laws regarding homebirth. I live in RI. I have heard that homebirths are "illegal" in certain areas in the country. Is this true? and where can I look up the laws to see what the legal status of a VBAC homebirth is in my area? TIA!!

 

[MonicaS]

Here's a link that shows that CNMs and CMs(Certified Midwives) are legal in your state. I'm just unsure of out-of-hospital birthing w/ a midwife.
http://www.cfmidwifery.org/states/states.asp?ST=53

I would try contacting a few individual midwives to get their opinion on HBAC in RI.

I don't know of a place to look up the VBAC laws of a state. HTH

Good luck!

 

[Faithsmom]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[HugClub]

Where in RI? Don't forget you've also got mw's right over the border in MA! My first mw was Nancy Wainer Cohen who does her visits out of her home in Needham. Very supportive of VBAC (considering she's the one who coined the term oh so many years ago). There are also other mw's towards the Uxbridge, Sutton area as well. I think Sue Smith and Erika Beecher catch out that way.
Happy mw shopping

 

[colobus237]

Even in places where homebirth midwives are not licensed, you can often find the "underground railroad" so to speak. That's how it is in my area. I don't know of anyplace where it is illegal to have your baby at home regardless of your vbac status... who's to say you didn't just have the baby "too fast" anyway. But it can be more or less legally precarious for midwives to attend you.

http://www.vbfree.org/states/status.html has some helpful info.