Cost of hospital birth far outweighs risk of employing midwives
Phil Jarrett
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Opinions
In the U.S., there are two main divisions of modern midwifery. The first, nurse-midwives, have a master's degree in nursing, public health or midwifery and provide gynecological and midwifery care to healthy women who can expect a normal pregnancy. These nurse-midwives often work in hospitals and work closely with obstetricians. The second, direct-entry midwives, are not certified as nurses but are educated about the birth process through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school or a college. Under this umbrella of direct-entry, there is a sub-class of Certified Midwives who must pass the same exam as the nurse-midwives.
Direct-entry midwifery is unlawful in Missouri. Practicing without a nurse-midwife license is a felony. These are some of the harshest penalties for out-of-hospital birthing in the nation.
In May 2007 the Missouri Legislature passed a bill intended to increase private health coverage for the uninsured. Tucked into this legislation was a one-sentence provision added by Sen. John Loudon that effectively legalizes certain direct-entry midwifery. Through the unnoticed use of the word tocology, the practice of obstetrics and childbirth, instead of midwifery, Loudon was able to seemingly legalize what had been thrown out by prior legislation. Last August, a judge ruled the midwifery law illegal - a just move because of Loudon's sneaky tactics.
But now Loudon is taking a new approach, pushing a bill that would create a state midwives board that will certify legal practice in the state. As expected, his proposal is being sidelined.
However, Missourians should give midwifery a second look. Home birth research studies indicate much lower rates of infection in the mother and the baby than are likely in the hospital, where antibiotic-resistant diseases are known to thrive and painkillers are prescribed that can harm the child. Not only this, the experience with a midwife is more intimate, less complicated, safe and much cheaper.
In the end, autonomy should win. If a mother is healthy, it should be her decision how and where she has her child.
Phil Jarrett is a senior communication and philosophy and religion major from Chesterfield, Mo.
Direct-entry midwifery is unlawful in Missouri. Practicing without a nurse-midwife license is a felony. These are some of the harshest penalties for out-of-hospital birthing in the nation.
In May 2007 the Missouri Legislature passed a bill intended to increase private health coverage for the uninsured. Tucked into this legislation was a one-sentence provision added by Sen. John Loudon that effectively legalizes certain direct-entry midwifery. Through the unnoticed use of the word tocology, the practice of obstetrics and childbirth, instead of midwifery, Loudon was able to seemingly legalize what had been thrown out by prior legislation. Last August, a judge ruled the midwifery law illegal - a just move because of Loudon's sneaky tactics.
But now Loudon is taking a new approach, pushing a bill that would create a state midwives board that will certify legal practice in the state. As expected, his proposal is being sidelined.
However, Missourians should give midwifery a second look. Home birth research studies indicate much lower rates of infection in the mother and the baby than are likely in the hospital, where antibiotic-resistant diseases are known to thrive and painkillers are prescribed that can harm the child. Not only this, the experience with a midwife is more intimate, less complicated, safe and much cheaper.
In the end, autonomy should win. If a mother is healthy, it should be her decision how and where she has her child.
Phil Jarrett is a senior communication and philosophy and religion major from Chesterfield, Mo.
Be the first to comment on this story