I think Midwifery care in the home setting and in a hospital setting can be safe. There is lots of evidence supporting both and I think the lack of the general publics ability to understand and read the evidence allows for those who can to use "scare" tactics to keep women from making safe choices for themselves. I think by taking options away from them like this is also a set up for unsafe deliveries in undisclosed locations.
I think Midwifery care in the home setting and in a hospital setting can be safe. There is lots of evidence supporting both and I think the lack of the general publics ability to understand and read the evidence allows for those who can to use "scare" tactics to keep women from making safe choices for themselves. I think by taking options away from them like this is also a set up for unsafe deliveries in undisclosed locations.
I think Midwifery care in the home setting and in a hospital setting can be safe. There is lots of evidence supporting both and I think the lack of the general publics ability to understand and read the evidence allows for those who can to use "scare" tactics to keep women from making safe choices for themselves. I think by taking options away from them like this is also a set up for unsafe deliveries in undisclosed locations.
I was one of the births that went wrong.. in most cases you have plenty of time to transfer to a hospital midwives are equipped with lifesaving equipment.. know what to look for and when to transfer. I had a placental abruption a midwifes nightmare.. and made it in time to the hospital.. If I could do it all over again I would.. I have had 3 home births attended by midwifes with NO problems..until the last one.. My midwife did all the right things and probably saved my life..
I would like to say I was one of the births that went wrong.. let me tell you in most cases you have plenty of time to transfer to a hospital midwives. are equipped with lifesaving equipment.. They unlike a mother know what to look for and when to transfer. I had a placental abruption a midwifes nightmare.. I made it in time to the hospital.. I have had 3 home births attended by midwifes with NO problems..until the last one.. My midwife did all the right things and probably saved my life..
@12akcsjc Midwives saved your life... That's not the way I'm reading it. The way I see it, is that you were at great risk because you were under the care of midwives outside a hospital, but luckily you made it to the hospital before it was too late.
Had you been in a hospital to begin with, you would not have been on that thin ice.
I realize that hospitals carry risks too, and unneeded c-sections piss me off as much as the next person, but midwives can make mistakes too.
@a1mint You read it wrong.. the midwife did all she was supposed to do .. THE better trained OB on the other hand did not even think I needed the c section SHE almost cost me my life..She did not recognize a problem when there was one..I insisted on a c section... that saved my life... The OB was clueless.. to the problem and thought I should just keep on with labor.. when the baby was in distress.... If anything it was me and the midwife coaching the OB.
@12akcsjc But you don't know what the outcome would have been if you continued labor. Why should you know better than an experienced OB with training and knowledge? Sounds pretty arrogant to me.
@a1mint I do know the outcome I was hemorrhaging bad the OB told me later if my bag of waters would have ruptured I would have died.. my labor was NOT progressing. I had been bleeding they say for up to 2 weeks internally..( they autopsy the placenta) .. I hemorrhaged really bad in the c section when they removed the baby if I would not have been open they do not think the would have saved me the baby was full of my blood lungs and stomach it would not have made a another 6 hour labor.
@a1mint I am not trying to be arrogant I am just trying to state what happened and what the OB said later.. She actually told me she was so glad I insisted on the C section. I liked her as a person. FYI I am expecting again and due to history am seeing a high risk OB. I interviewed this one though and talked to my nurse friends for info.. I am confident in my choice. So see I am not against OB's either
@12akcsjc I didn't know the whole story. I did say "sounds to me" instead of accusing you of being arrogant. These darn Youtube blurbs go bad so easily.
@a1mint TO be totally honest I read that twice before I saw the arrogant.. and then thought I better respond to that.. I did not really you thought I was.. LOL.. Have a good day.
@a1mint and yes a1mint midwifes can make mistakes too.. but the ones I have had have been very good.. and are WELL respected by the OB's in my area where home birth is allowed. One midwife I went with has 30+years of experience and tons of schooling. In my area it is a very viable option for birth with FEW problems or transfers. I am not saying everyone should go but it should be a option . A UNATTENDED HOME BIRTH is way worse then a birth attended by a midwife. Which is really the debate here.
@12akcsjc I also did find that the OB's were respecting the midwives after transferring. They continued with the OB peeking in once in a while to check on progress.
As for a DIY home birth - that's obviously extremely irresponsible.
Perhaps with the new health care changes, there will be less resistance to the midwife practice in places...
@a1mint Most states actually have no issues..where I live the midwives are covered by most insurances just like doctors.. it is really common here although not everyone likes or chooses the idea.
@a1mint Oh and a1mint I found out later the OB who delivered has a reputation in the medical community for not making good decisions. I good friend of mine a local nurse told me when she does not know what the problem is she does nothing.
@12akcsjc I'd also be nervous about one single OB calling all the shots. I'd much prefer a close collaboration between the midwives present and the OB on staff (in the event of a transfer). Good point.
I don't deny that many women feel more comfortable with a hospital birth. But I wonder how much of that comfort comes from being scared to death of childbirth and how much comes from facts and information. OBGYNs are surgeons and we need them for when things look bad. Midwives are for the rest of the mother population that want some control over their bodies. I'm pro midwives. Great video.
there are pros and cons on either side, the bottom line is, we should be able to choose. What about freedom of religion? and what about those you are too "rich" for welfare (medicaid) and too "poor" for health insurance. I have to indebt myself to grow my family, or take the worst risk of all, birth my baby on my own?
This is a disgrace! Its laws like this that have made giving birth so medical, as if its a disease or something! Fair enough in some cases, a hospital setting is very appropriate but a midwife is more than capable to attend a home birth if she has all the equipment necessary. The main thing is that this is about CHOICE. If a woman chooses a home birth after all medical advice has been given to her then it is her decision. This law is a disgrace.
I wonder if we could find an obstetrician that would be willing to enhance this conversation, and provide some valuable input about the kind of scenarios and complications that happen. How many women's lives were saved and such.
And a midwife thinks they can take these risks in people's homes. Rriigghhtt.
I see instead of facts you choose to respond with sarcasm. I think that speaks loudly for your position. Again, have your birth in a hospital if you like - mothers should be informed and make the decision they feel is best for themselves and their baby.
Fact remains that birthing is dangerous. Midwifes should stop trying to use the negatives of hospitals to create a market for themselves. The hospital is a better setting to have a baby, no doubt about that - having seen and experienced complications in an otherwise "risk free" pregnancy. There is no such thing as "risk free" - that became quite clear.
These beatnik home-birth advocates are woefully ignorant of the risks. They have no clue that childbirth was once a major cause of death among women before the age of modern medicine.
And midwives, who DO know what kinds of disasters can occur during labor and delivery, are too tied up in their agenda to care and are willingly taking risks with the lives of these ignorant women and their pregnancies.
Yes. Birthing can not only be dangerous, but fatal.
@DrSandmann Your message is likely going to be protested real soon by people that had home births - people who can only offer anecdotal evidence - which means nothing really - and they'll pretend to be experts.
Midwives will protest soon, claiming you're not qualifies to speak on the matter and that their procedures includes transfers to hospitals and how their statistics are favorable.
These midwives say, "Oh, but we have a backup plan if something goes wrong. We transfer the patient to the hospital". They always seem to leave out the little problem of transit-time, as well as the fact that they're transferring a woman in the middle of labor with a medical complication (which may be an out-and-out emergency)--not exactly people who are up for getting dressed, walking to a car, and potentially waiting in traffic with some idiot midwife at the wheel.
@DrSandmann Problem is, end of day, is that birthing in hospitals also carry risks - I give them that. Rushing, infections, mistakes, etc.
It seems both hospitals and home birthing carry risks... end of day, you're at the mercy of the expertise of the people that happen to be handling you...
Everything in life has risks. The point is that home births have MORE risks. They put women in situations where they do not have immediate access to emergency surgery or blood transfusions to manage unexpected complications where time is of the essence.
And what's worse, it's an inferiorly-trained midwife running the show.
When my wife was in the hospital delivering our daughter, a midwife walked in at first, expecting to delivery our baby. We told her to leave, and get us an OB.
@DrSandmann I've experienced a delivery gone bad as well, started at home, transfer to hospital, then near death bleeding. I'd like to respect the midwifery and like to think they know when help is needed. Question is do midwives always know when they should transfer.
Midwives will show statistics showing home births are not more dangerous - but I have doubts as well.
@DrSandmann all the midwifes I have went with are well aware of current medical practices.. they study it just like a doctor..They will NOT take a patient that has a history of bleeding, twins, or had a c section, They look at your history and evaluate whether you are a good candidate.. if you are not they send you to a OB.I have worse luck with OB's last one did not recognize a abruption she was not going to do anything I almost died.I called for a c section not her.I almost lost the baby.
I realize I am not an OB, but as a nurse who has been trained and worked in L/D, I can state for a fact that a majority of pregnancy complications can be detected significantly prior to birth....as long as there is proper and sufficient prenatal care. It is true that homebirthing is not for everyone. However, as long as a woman is healthy, and has no significant risk for severe complications, then there is not reason she should be denied this choice.
Midwives do not have extensive training. Not only is their former training significantly shorter in duration than OBGYNs' training, it's far less thorough. Midwives have nursing degrees. OBGYNs have medical degrees. OBGYNs are trained in residency specifically to know the medicine related to pregnancy. Hell, there's even a subspecialty of OBGYN called "maternal-fetal medicine" that OBGYNs can train in.
And you're gonna tell us that midwives have "extensive training"???
1. Complications that can be detected well before term never become home-births to begin with. With little exception, these labor/deliveries are done in hospitals where precautions are taken. It's the complications nobody predicted that are the problems, especially when handled by a midwife in someone's home.
2. Midwives are not physicians. They don't understand the effects of human diseases on pregnancy the way OBGYNs do.
I'm not an OBGYN, but I am a doctor. The biggest risk for women is hemorrhage, which can kill a woman literally within minutes. A woman whose bleeding cannot be stopped needs treatment emergently, which involves blood transfusions along with emergency surgery.
A midwife can certainly recognize hemorrhage (assuming they've delivered enough babies to recognize it), but they are not trained in the more 'advanced' ways of stopping it....i.e. when uterine massage and pitocin don't work.
@DrSandmann Yes and the ones that die within minutes most of them also die in hospitals they are bleeding so bad nothing can be done... the midwife that delivered my babies delivered over a thousand women and I do not think she lost one.. she told me once she lost 2 babies.. but that is it.. My ob told me .. that my midwifes judgement s saved my life. I might have died otherwise.. ( IV in early labor ) a nurse ( OB is rarely there might not have done it) I was not visibly bleeding at the time.
When things become difficult with complications, a midwife is lost and unqualified. Hospital is the right setting. It's safer. It's unsafe to birth at home. I know this FOR A FACT!
A CERTIFIED professional midwife has training in what to do when there is complications. Hospitals often use unnecessary interventions that can have adverse effects on mother and baby. Studies have shown that for low-risk births, home births with CPMs are just as safe as hospital births and utilize far fewer medical interventions.
Too long labor can also adversely affect both mother and baby. Uncontrolled postpartum bleeding can sometimes only be controlled through drugs and tools that a midwife does not have access to.
As I said above, a CPM has training in what to do when there are complications, including transfer to a hospital when necessary. There are complications in hospital births, too.
Astabeth: Transfer from home to a hospital happens (which is a fairly high percentage, ranging from 5 to 40% depending on where you are, from what I've read), it happens when the midwife sees a risk that is better dealt with in a hospital setting.
If you must use a midwife, the birth should be done in a hospital room under the supervision of an obstetrician.
@a1mint I beg to differ all the midwives I know carry drugs to control hemeraging..They are trained at what to look for and if they do not a transfer is made most times.. you have plenty of time..
@12akcsjc How can you "beg to differ" just because the midwives carry drugs. I happen to know that the drugs they carry is not the same as what's available in the hospital. What they are allowed to carry with them is not as effective.
I've actually seen a case gone bad. Had she not have been transferred she would probably have been bled to death. A special procedure saved the day - completely beyond the abilities of a midwife.
Make no mistakes about it - the risks are very real !
@a1mint Yes cases go bad. and most of those cases go bad in the hospital too .. a friend of my sisters died of a hemorrhage in the hospital.. If you are not having a c section most of the meds are the same. . Yes some of the procures are beyond the scope of a midwife that is why they do not take cases with history's of hemorrhage.. Sorry you had a problem here.. I have had nothing but good luck unlike my hospital births that have been foul with incompetence.. (and yes I like doctors)
@12akcsjc It seems we both have opposing evidence. But it's both anecdotal. Neither of us are in the field. I'm skeptical and wary of anyone's decisions. I'm seeing risks in both settings. I don't like the lack of means on a home setting. I also don't like the attitude and "schedule pressures" in a hospital.
There are also infections to consider.
I do respect midwives. I also respect doctors, and the science available in a hospital.
@a1mint I really believe the debate on this sight is on whether midwifes should be able to attend home births. I firmly believe the AVERAGE low risk pregnancy should have a choice I would much rather a mother have a midwife then birth ALONE. Without anyone can be just plain dangerous.. they have no means when something goes away with one they have a better chance.
@12akcsjc So long as midwives are properly educated and trained, and as long as there is a reasonable expectation what are tolerable risks and knowing when to transfer - I can agree. I do respect midwives.
Birthing scares me either way.
Hospital's time pressures and schedules scare the crap out of me. I saw a little of that actually. Some doctor leaving, and giving an epidermal "now or never" - no further staff available for the night. Ouch!
@a1mint totally agree. I have 9 children had 3 home 3 hospital and 3 birth center births I actually prefer a birth center with a midwife. 2 out of my 3 hospital births have had issues the first one the doc just wanted to get home. I he gave me pitocian and I went from a 3 -10 in 30 minutes OUCH..he went home a hour later.. the last one you heard the middle. This is my last.
@12akcsjc Whoa! 9 children? How on earth do you care for them all? That's a whole different type of life that the small intimate family life that I'm accustomed to.
a1mint, no one is asking you to have a child outside of a hospital. There are plenty of people who do not feel the way you do, and they should have the option of a CPM.
I'm sure the people that successfully delivered at home are very happy. But there are real life threatening complications, that can only be dealt with in a hospital.
In other words, if you want to kill your unborn child that is fine with the doctors, but if you decide your baby deserves to live, then you have no right to decide how it is born. Oh, the irony.
I live in Birmingham, AL, and although my birth experience was a positive one (our son was born at UAB by emergency C-section), I absolutely agree that midwifery should be legalized and certified in Alabama again. It's insane that women have to go to another state to have that experience. I will pray for your success in getting this accomplished, and I look forward to signing whatever petition is there.
Part 1: Just learned from my GP that the rate of c-section in the state of Alabama is 70%! The vast majority of those, in his opinion, are unnecessary and done for the convenience of the doctor. He's even seen doctors order nurses to schedule a c-section if the mother hasn't delivered by 5 pm because they don't want to come back to the hospital after they've gone home for the day.
Part 2: The saddest thing, in my opinion, is that those of us who don't want to conform to mainstream medical childbirth are being presented as negligent, irresponsible parents who don't care about our children's health and safety. I spoke with a representative of the Alabama Medical Association a few months ago, when HB 199 was before the Health Committee.
Part 3: I was told, not directly of course, that I am not capable of deciding what is best for myself and any future babies I may have, that women should be required to have babies in hospitals with OBs, and that we aren't capable of safely birthing healthy children without either being told how to do it or having a doctor do it for us. Actually, maybe that's not the saddest thing. Maybe it's the fact that so many parents believe it.
Yeah, not to mention most of these doctors who paint homebirthing parents as selfish, irresponsible mothers and claim they are "speaking on behalf of our poor widdle baybees who have no say" would probably perform an abortion in a heartbeat for a woman who wants one.
Unfortunately, many mothers are encouraged (and some coerced) into having cesareans when they are not needed. I was told I needed one for a certain condition, and then read in the main OB/GYN medical journal that cesareans were not indicated for mothers with that condition.
My c-section was not necessary (but my OB/GYN said it was) and resulted in complications and a second stay in the hospital. I'm not sure what my total cost was, but I would guess over $30,000. Luckily, insurance paid most of it, but it still cost me more out-of-pocket than a midwife-attended birth would have.
Well, in 2005 California the cost was about $13,720 for a vaginal birth with no complications. For a cesarean the cost was about $23,720.00 (in US dollars). (source: consumerhealthratingsDOTcom)
That's lots, i hope you are treated better at hospital than over here after child birth. There are staff shortages and often mothers and newborns are neglected. Mothers are usually tormented if they do not wish to breast feed or just cannot for medical reasons.
I'm all for folks having the option to get a midwife, but I should point out that a) I have insurance, b) I have two kids (both were c-sections), and c) neither kid cost a dime. Rock on, but let's not get loose with facts.
It's not loose with the facts - those were the costs at that date. Someone paid that - whether it's you or the insurance company depends on whether or not you have insurance.
You said: "Yes, it is very expensive, even if you have insurance."
This makes it sound like there are a bunch of out of pocket expenses, which isn't necessarily true. I doubt the OP was concerned about the cost to the insurance company.
Look, I'm not trying to shoot you down, but you really ought to be careful with your words, unless you want industry hacks making mincemeat out of you.
I thought you were discussing the video, not other comments. I have never heard of anyone not paying a dime, even copays, to have a hospital birth. I will make a note here that apparently some people don't have to pay a dime. You're just the first I've heard of. Hope that clears things up so I'm not accused of "getting loose with the facts" anymore.
Maybe it didn't cost the above poster a dime because they are military. Military families get pretty much all their healthcare free through Tricare. Although I have to admit I have never heard of a civilian insurance company that is that way.
That said, I still paid out of pocket to have three of my four at home and it was worth every penny no regrets here!
Great video! It does a nice job of capsulizing the issue in a way anyone can understand and get behind. I wish y'all much success from over here in NYC.
Great video! I would definately vote YES to this bill, if I livedin AL. Women should have the right to choose their perfect birth, whether thats in a hospital with a c-section, or at home with a midwife. Its a great video with a great message. I love the part where the woman says "some women feel safer in a hospital, but thats not me".
Congratulations on an excellent propaganda video in support of our local midwives no matter where we are located. It's time that American women stand and say "no more" and take back our right to birth naturally. The little boy in the video said it best, "my mommy isn't sick...she is pregnant". Good luck with your proposed legislation, you will need all the support that you can get behind you ...The AMA and the ObGyn is a large powerful machine to go up against.
WOW! Great video. I live in Gadsden AL and I totally agree. We should have the right to choose. I CHOOSE TO BIRTH AT HOME! Alabama Mamma's let your voice be herd.
Well done! I congratulate you on all the work you have done for this cause. Although I live in FL now, I did have a midwife attended homebirth in Montgomery, AL 3 years ago. Even with the risk involved and some of the hardships we had to endure because of our decision. It was well worth it and making this legal would just benefit dozens of mothers-to-be! Plus, this is what America is all about. The freedom to have choices!
great job! my husband was watching over my shoulder and said the same thing! i am a friend of courtneys and i live in atlanta so i was able to home a homebirth with a midwife and i'm so excited that the time for you guys to do the same is coming! you've inspired me to maybe make a video too!
Hi, I think this is a great video - very encouraging for your first time and really informative. I live in Al and I will act on what you said. thanks m
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I think Midwifery care in the home setting and in a hospital setting can be safe. There is lots of evidence supporting both and I think the lack of the general publics ability to understand and read the evidence allows for those who can to use "scare" tactics to keep women from making safe choices for themselves. I think by taking options away from them like this is also a set up for unsafe deliveries in undisclosed locations.
TAN30t31teh 10 months ago
I think Midwifery care in the home setting and in a hospital setting can be safe. There is lots of evidence supporting both and I think the lack of the general publics ability to understand and read the evidence allows for those who can to use "scare" tactics to keep women from making safe choices for themselves. I think by taking options away from them like this is also a set up for unsafe deliveries in undisclosed locations.
TAN30t31teh 10 months ago
I think Midwifery care in the home setting and in a hospital setting can be safe. There is lots of evidence supporting both and I think the lack of the general publics ability to understand and read the evidence allows for those who can to use "scare" tactics to keep women from making safe choices for themselves. I think by taking options away from them like this is also a set up for unsafe deliveries in undisclosed locations.
TAN30t31teh 10 months ago
I was one of the births that went wrong.. in most cases you have plenty of time to transfer to a hospital midwives are equipped with lifesaving equipment.. know what to look for and when to transfer. I had a placental abruption a midwifes nightmare.. and made it in time to the hospital.. If I could do it all over again I would.. I have had 3 home births attended by midwifes with NO problems..until the last one.. My midwife did all the right things and probably saved my life..
12akcsjc 1 year ago
I would like to say I was one of the births that went wrong.. let me tell you in most cases you have plenty of time to transfer to a hospital midwives. are equipped with lifesaving equipment.. They unlike a mother know what to look for and when to transfer. I had a placental abruption a midwifes nightmare.. I made it in time to the hospital.. I have had 3 home births attended by midwifes with NO problems..until the last one.. My midwife did all the right things and probably saved my life..
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc Midwives saved your life... That's not the way I'm reading it. The way I see it, is that you were at great risk because you were under the care of midwives outside a hospital, but luckily you made it to the hospital before it was too late.
Had you been in a hospital to begin with, you would not have been on that thin ice.
I realize that hospitals carry risks too, and unneeded c-sections piss me off as much as the next person, but midwives can make mistakes too.
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint You read it wrong.. the midwife did all she was supposed to do .. THE better trained OB on the other hand did not even think I needed the c section SHE almost cost me my life..She did not recognize a problem when there was one..I insisted on a c section... that saved my life... The OB was clueless.. to the problem and thought I should just keep on with labor.. when the baby was in distress.... If anything it was me and the midwife coaching the OB.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc But you don't know what the outcome would have been if you continued labor. Why should you know better than an experienced OB with training and knowledge? Sounds pretty arrogant to me.
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint I do know the outcome I was hemorrhaging bad the OB told me later if my bag of waters would have ruptured I would have died.. my labor was NOT progressing. I had been bleeding they say for up to 2 weeks internally..( they autopsy the placenta) .. I hemorrhaged really bad in the c section when they removed the baby if I would not have been open they do not think the would have saved me the baby was full of my blood lungs and stomach it would not have made a another 6 hour labor.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc That's really awful, glad you made it through. Hope the baby was/is well.
Obviously there are so many possibilities and even odd rare situations.
Too bad we can't just apply some star trek technology and just teleport the baby out ;-)
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint LOL yeah she amazingly was fine.. I was really blessed.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@a1mint I am not trying to be arrogant I am just trying to state what happened and what the OB said later.. She actually told me she was so glad I insisted on the C section. I liked her as a person. FYI I am expecting again and due to history am seeing a high risk OB. I interviewed this one though and talked to my nurse friends for info.. I am confident in my choice. So see I am not against OB's either
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc I didn't know the whole story. I did say "sounds to me" instead of accusing you of being arrogant. These darn Youtube blurbs go bad so easily.
May the force be with you on your next one.
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint TO be totally honest I read that twice before I saw the arrogant.. and then thought I better respond to that.. I did not really you thought I was.. LOL.. Have a good day.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@a1mint and yes a1mint midwifes can make mistakes too.. but the ones I have had have been very good.. and are WELL respected by the OB's in my area where home birth is allowed. One midwife I went with has 30+years of experience and tons of schooling. In my area it is a very viable option for birth with FEW problems or transfers. I am not saying everyone should go but it should be a option . A UNATTENDED HOME BIRTH is way worse then a birth attended by a midwife. Which is really the debate here.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc I also did find that the OB's were respecting the midwives after transferring. They continued with the OB peeking in once in a while to check on progress.
As for a DIY home birth - that's obviously extremely irresponsible.
Perhaps with the new health care changes, there will be less resistance to the midwife practice in places...
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint Most states actually have no issues..where I live the midwives are covered by most insurances just like doctors.. it is really common here although not everyone likes or chooses the idea.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@a1mint Oh and a1mint I found out later the OB who delivered has a reputation in the medical community for not making good decisions. I good friend of mine a local nurse told me when she does not know what the problem is she does nothing.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc I'd also be nervous about one single OB calling all the shots. I'd much prefer a close collaboration between the midwives present and the OB on staff (in the event of a transfer). Good point.
a1mint 1 year ago
I don't deny that many women feel more comfortable with a hospital birth. But I wonder how much of that comfort comes from being scared to death of childbirth and how much comes from facts and information. OBGYNs are surgeons and we need them for when things look bad. Midwives are for the rest of the mother population that want some control over their bodies. I'm pro midwives. Great video.
dracoangelica 2 years ago
there are pros and cons on either side, the bottom line is, we should be able to choose. What about freedom of religion? and what about those you are too "rich" for welfare (medicaid) and too "poor" for health insurance. I have to indebt myself to grow my family, or take the worst risk of all, birth my baby on my own?
tammyhart7701 2 years ago 2
lol
sugarlaura22 2 years ago
Comment removed
ejackson41 2 years ago
This is a disgrace! Its laws like this that have made giving birth so medical, as if its a disease or something! Fair enough in some cases, a hospital setting is very appropriate but a midwife is more than capable to attend a home birth if she has all the equipment necessary. The main thing is that this is about CHOICE. If a woman chooses a home birth after all medical advice has been given to her then it is her decision. This law is a disgrace.
celsaf89 3 years ago 2
As I said before, choose wherever you want to have your child - you don't get to make the choice for others, however.
Astabeth 3 years ago
I wonder if we could find an obstetrician that would be willing to enhance this conversation, and provide some valuable input about the kind of scenarios and complications that happen. How many women's lives were saved and such.
And a midwife thinks they can take these risks in people's homes. Rriigghhtt.
a1mint 3 years ago
I see instead of facts you choose to respond with sarcasm. I think that speaks loudly for your position. Again, have your birth in a hospital if you like - mothers should be informed and make the decision they feel is best for themselves and their baby.
Astabeth 3 years ago
Fact remains that birthing is dangerous. Midwifes should stop trying to use the negatives of hospitals to create a market for themselves. The hospital is a better setting to have a baby, no doubt about that - having seen and experienced complications in an otherwise "risk free" pregnancy. There is no such thing as "risk free" - that became quite clear.
a1mint 3 years ago
@a1mint
These beatnik home-birth advocates are woefully ignorant of the risks. They have no clue that childbirth was once a major cause of death among women before the age of modern medicine.
And midwives, who DO know what kinds of disasters can occur during labor and delivery, are too tied up in their agenda to care and are willingly taking risks with the lives of these ignorant women and their pregnancies.
Yes. Birthing can not only be dangerous, but fatal.
DrSandmann 1 year ago
@DrSandmann Your message is likely going to be protested real soon by people that had home births - people who can only offer anecdotal evidence - which means nothing really - and they'll pretend to be experts.
Midwives will protest soon, claiming you're not qualifies to speak on the matter and that their procedures includes transfers to hospitals and how their statistics are favorable.
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint
These midwives say, "Oh, but we have a backup plan if something goes wrong. We transfer the patient to the hospital". They always seem to leave out the little problem of transit-time, as well as the fact that they're transferring a woman in the middle of labor with a medical complication (which may be an out-and-out emergency)--not exactly people who are up for getting dressed, walking to a car, and potentially waiting in traffic with some idiot midwife at the wheel.
DrSandmann 1 year ago
@DrSandmann Problem is, end of day, is that birthing in hospitals also carry risks - I give them that. Rushing, infections, mistakes, etc.
It seems both hospitals and home birthing carry risks... end of day, you're at the mercy of the expertise of the people that happen to be handling you...
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint
Everything in life has risks. The point is that home births have MORE risks. They put women in situations where they do not have immediate access to emergency surgery or blood transfusions to manage unexpected complications where time is of the essence.
And what's worse, it's an inferiorly-trained midwife running the show.
When my wife was in the hospital delivering our daughter, a midwife walked in at first, expecting to delivery our baby. We told her to leave, and get us an OB.
DrSandmann 1 year ago
@DrSandmann I've experienced a delivery gone bad as well, started at home, transfer to hospital, then near death bleeding. I'd like to respect the midwifery and like to think they know when help is needed. Question is do midwives always know when they should transfer.
Midwives will show statistics showing home births are not more dangerous - but I have doubts as well.
a1mint 1 year ago
@DrSandmann all the midwifes I have went with are well aware of current medical practices.. they study it just like a doctor..They will NOT take a patient that has a history of bleeding, twins, or had a c section, They look at your history and evaluate whether you are a good candidate.. if you are not they send you to a OB.I have worse luck with OB's last one did not recognize a abruption she was not going to do anything I almost died.I called for a c section not her.I almost lost the baby.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
I realize I am not an OB, but as a nurse who has been trained and worked in L/D, I can state for a fact that a majority of pregnancy complications can be detected significantly prior to birth....as long as there is proper and sufficient prenatal care. It is true that homebirthing is not for everyone. However, as long as a woman is healthy, and has no significant risk for severe complications, then there is not reason she should be denied this choice.
Bizmo1 2 years ago 2
I'd like to go along all happy and happy and life is wonderful and it's all good and bliss and all the rest of it.
But the fact remains I've seen a very low risk case go very wrong.
People should not pretend there is no risk.
a1mint 2 years ago
No one is pretending there is no risk. That is why midwives have extensive training.
Astabeth 2 years ago
@Astabeth
Midwives do not have extensive training. Not only is their former training significantly shorter in duration than OBGYNs' training, it's far less thorough. Midwives have nursing degrees. OBGYNs have medical degrees. OBGYNs are trained in residency specifically to know the medicine related to pregnancy. Hell, there's even a subspecialty of OBGYN called "maternal-fetal medicine" that OBGYNs can train in.
And you're gonna tell us that midwives have "extensive training"???
DrSandmann 1 year ago
@Bizmo1
I'll make two comments in response to this:
1. Complications that can be detected well before term never become home-births to begin with. With little exception, these labor/deliveries are done in hospitals where precautions are taken. It's the complications nobody predicted that are the problems, especially when handled by a midwife in someone's home.
2. Midwives are not physicians. They don't understand the effects of human diseases on pregnancy the way OBGYNs do.
DrSandmann 1 year ago
@a1mint
I'm not an OBGYN, but I am a doctor. The biggest risk for women is hemorrhage, which can kill a woman literally within minutes. A woman whose bleeding cannot be stopped needs treatment emergently, which involves blood transfusions along with emergency surgery.
A midwife can certainly recognize hemorrhage (assuming they've delivered enough babies to recognize it), but they are not trained in the more 'advanced' ways of stopping it....i.e. when uterine massage and pitocin don't work.
DrSandmann 1 year ago
@DrSandmann Yes and the ones that die within minutes most of them also die in hospitals they are bleeding so bad nothing can be done... the midwife that delivered my babies delivered over a thousand women and I do not think she lost one.. she told me once she lost 2 babies.. but that is it.. My ob told me .. that my midwifes judgement s saved my life. I might have died otherwise.. ( IV in early labor ) a nurse ( OB is rarely there might not have done it) I was not visibly bleeding at the time.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
I tried to look for "studies" about the safety of home births. Couldn't find anything credible.
a1mint 3 years ago
Since you have had trouble finding this information, I have placed two links in the 'information' section on the video page. Please take a look.
Astabeth 3 years ago
When things become difficult with complications, a midwife is lost and unqualified. Hospital is the right setting. It's safer. It's unsafe to birth at home. I know this FOR A FACT!
a1mint 3 years ago
A CERTIFIED professional midwife has training in what to do when there is complications. Hospitals often use unnecessary interventions that can have adverse effects on mother and baby. Studies have shown that for low-risk births, home births with CPMs are just as safe as hospital births and utilize far fewer medical interventions.
Astabeth 3 years ago
Too long labor can also adversely affect both mother and baby. Uncontrolled postpartum bleeding can sometimes only be controlled through drugs and tools that a midwife does not have access to.
a1mint 3 years ago
As I said above, a CPM has training in what to do when there are complications, including transfer to a hospital when necessary. There are complications in hospital births, too.
Astabeth 3 years ago
Astabeth: Transfer from home to a hospital happens (which is a fairly high percentage, ranging from 5 to 40% depending on where you are, from what I've read), it happens when the midwife sees a risk that is better dealt with in a hospital setting.
If you must use a midwife, the birth should be done in a hospital room under the supervision of an obstetrician.
Birthing is just plain dangerous. I've seen it.
a1mint 3 years ago
Where have you read this? I provided you with links to the studies I referred to, please do the same. I would like to see this information.
Astabeth 3 years ago
wikipedia (dot) org (slash) wiki (slash) Home_birth
"transfer rates can range anywhere from 5% to 40%"
And don't give me crap about how Wikipedia isn't credible. It's probably being looked more than any other source on the internet.
a1mint 3 years ago
@a1mint I beg to differ all the midwives I know carry drugs to control hemeraging..They are trained at what to look for and if they do not a transfer is made most times.. you have plenty of time..
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc How can you "beg to differ" just because the midwives carry drugs. I happen to know that the drugs they carry is not the same as what's available in the hospital. What they are allowed to carry with them is not as effective.
I've actually seen a case gone bad. Had she not have been transferred she would probably have been bled to death. A special procedure saved the day - completely beyond the abilities of a midwife.
Make no mistakes about it - the risks are very real !
a1mint 1 year ago 2
@a1mint Yes cases go bad. and most of those cases go bad in the hospital too .. a friend of my sisters died of a hemorrhage in the hospital.. If you are not having a c section most of the meds are the same. . Yes some of the procures are beyond the scope of a midwife that is why they do not take cases with history's of hemorrhage.. Sorry you had a problem here.. I have had nothing but good luck unlike my hospital births that have been foul with incompetence.. (and yes I like doctors)
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc It seems we both have opposing evidence. But it's both anecdotal. Neither of us are in the field. I'm skeptical and wary of anyone's decisions. I'm seeing risks in both settings. I don't like the lack of means on a home setting. I also don't like the attitude and "schedule pressures" in a hospital.
There are also infections to consider.
I do respect midwives. I also respect doctors, and the science available in a hospital.
What are we supposed to do?
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint I really believe the debate on this sight is on whether midwifes should be able to attend home births. I firmly believe the AVERAGE low risk pregnancy should have a choice I would much rather a mother have a midwife then birth ALONE. Without anyone can be just plain dangerous.. they have no means when something goes away with one they have a better chance.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc So long as midwives are properly educated and trained, and as long as there is a reasonable expectation what are tolerable risks and knowing when to transfer - I can agree. I do respect midwives.
Birthing scares me either way.
Hospital's time pressures and schedules scare the crap out of me. I saw a little of that actually. Some doctor leaving, and giving an epidermal "now or never" - no further staff available for the night. Ouch!
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint totally agree. I have 9 children had 3 home 3 hospital and 3 birth center births I actually prefer a birth center with a midwife. 2 out of my 3 hospital births have had issues the first one the doc just wanted to get home. I he gave me pitocian and I went from a 3 -10 in 30 minutes OUCH..he went home a hour later.. the last one you heard the middle. This is my last.
12akcsjc 1 year ago
@12akcsjc Whoa! 9 children? How on earth do you care for them all? That's a whole different type of life that the small intimate family life that I'm accustomed to.
Even my grand parents stopped at 7...
You definitely must master the force...
a1mint 1 year ago
a1mint, I'd be curious to know where you get YOUR "facts" from?
ourharps 3 years ago
ourharps: I've witnessed it.
a1mint 3 years ago
a1mint, no one is asking you to have a child outside of a hospital. There are plenty of people who do not feel the way you do, and they should have the option of a CPM.
Astabeth 3 years ago
Russian roulette.
a1mint 3 years ago
I'm sure the people that successfully delivered at home are very happy. But there are real life threatening complications, that can only be dealt with in a hospital.
THAT is a *FACT* and you know it.
a1mint 3 years ago
In other words, if you want to kill your unborn child that is fine with the doctors, but if you decide your baby deserves to live, then you have no right to decide how it is born. Oh, the irony.
StarbucksCoffeeFreak 4 years ago
I live in Birmingham, AL, and although my birth experience was a positive one (our son was born at UAB by emergency C-section), I absolutely agree that midwifery should be legalized and certified in Alabama again. It's insane that women have to go to another state to have that experience. I will pray for your success in getting this accomplished, and I look forward to signing whatever petition is there.
Marsena 4 years ago
Part 1: Just learned from my GP that the rate of c-section in the state of Alabama is 70%! The vast majority of those, in his opinion, are unnecessary and done for the convenience of the doctor. He's even seen doctors order nurses to schedule a c-section if the mother hasn't delivered by 5 pm because they don't want to come back to the hospital after they've gone home for the day.
milegrinder 4 years ago
Part 2: The saddest thing, in my opinion, is that those of us who don't want to conform to mainstream medical childbirth are being presented as negligent, irresponsible parents who don't care about our children's health and safety. I spoke with a representative of the Alabama Medical Association a few months ago, when HB 199 was before the Health Committee.
milegrinder 4 years ago
Part 3: I was told, not directly of course, that I am not capable of deciding what is best for myself and any future babies I may have, that women should be required to have babies in hospitals with OBs, and that we aren't capable of safely birthing healthy children without either being told how to do it or having a doctor do it for us. Actually, maybe that's not the saddest thing. Maybe it's the fact that so many parents believe it.
milegrinder 4 years ago
Yeah, not to mention most of these doctors who paint homebirthing parents as selfish, irresponsible mothers and claim they are "speaking on behalf of our poor widdle baybees who have no say" would probably perform an abortion in a heartbeat for a woman who wants one.
StarbucksCoffeeFreak 4 years ago
you have to pay to go to hospital
DingoWrestler 4 years ago
Yes, it is very expensive, even if you have insurance.
Astabeth 4 years ago
how much is it to give birth in hospital?
DingoWrestler 4 years ago
Unfortunately, many mothers are encouraged (and some coerced) into having cesareans when they are not needed. I was told I needed one for a certain condition, and then read in the main OB/GYN medical journal that cesareans were not indicated for mothers with that condition.
Astabeth 4 years ago
I couldn't find stats for Alabama.
My c-section was not necessary (but my OB/GYN said it was) and resulted in complications and a second stay in the hospital. I'm not sure what my total cost was, but I would guess over $30,000. Luckily, insurance paid most of it, but it still cost me more out-of-pocket than a midwife-attended birth would have.
Astabeth 4 years ago
I had to split this into 3 comments:
Well, in 2005 California the cost was about $13,720 for a vaginal birth with no complications. For a cesarean the cost was about $23,720.00 (in US dollars). (source: consumerhealthratingsDOTcom)
Astabeth 4 years ago
That's lots, i hope you are treated better at hospital than over here after child birth. There are staff shortages and often mothers and newborns are neglected. Mothers are usually tormented if they do not wish to breast feed or just cannot for medical reasons.
DingoWrestler 4 years ago
I'm all for folks having the option to get a midwife, but I should point out that a) I have insurance, b) I have two kids (both were c-sections), and c) neither kid cost a dime. Rock on, but let's not get loose with facts.
CrackWilding 4 years ago
It's not loose with the facts - those were the costs at that date. Someone paid that - whether it's you or the insurance company depends on whether or not you have insurance.
Astabeth 4 years ago
You said: "Yes, it is very expensive, even if you have insurance."
This makes it sound like there are a bunch of out of pocket expenses, which isn't necessarily true. I doubt the OP was concerned about the cost to the insurance company.
Look, I'm not trying to shoot you down, but you really ought to be careful with your words, unless you want industry hacks making mincemeat out of you.
Saltydog1954 4 years ago
I thought you were discussing the video, not other comments. I have never heard of anyone not paying a dime, even copays, to have a hospital birth. I will make a note here that apparently some people don't have to pay a dime. You're just the first I've heard of. Hope that clears things up so I'm not accused of "getting loose with the facts" anymore.
Astabeth 4 years ago
Maybe it didn't cost the above poster a dime because they are military. Military families get pretty much all their healthcare free through Tricare. Although I have to admit I have never heard of a civilian insurance company that is that way.
That said, I still paid out of pocket to have three of my four at home and it was worth every penny no regrets here!
StarbucksCoffeeFreak 4 years ago
Awesome video! Go midwives and homebirth!
BadCase 4 years ago
genius!
miziki2 4 years ago
Great JOB~!!! We should do this in KY we are working on getting laws changed here as well. Great idea!
pieabrosmama 4 years ago
Great video! Way to help get the word out, "my mommy's not sick--she's pregnant!"
doulawise 4 years ago
Excellent video! We're rooting for you here in Indiana! :o)
busybusymomma 4 years ago
Great video! It does a nice job of capsulizing the issue in a way anyone can understand and get behind. I wish y'all much success from over here in NYC.
adarcia 4 years ago
Great video! I would definately vote YES to this bill, if I livedin AL. Women should have the right to choose their perfect birth, whether thats in a hospital with a c-section, or at home with a midwife. Its a great video with a great message. I love the part where the woman says "some women feel safer in a hospital, but thats not me".
Sonjamree 4 years ago
Congratulations on an excellent propaganda video in support of our local midwives no matter where we are located. It's time that American women stand and say "no more" and take back our right to birth naturally. The little boy in the video said it best, "my mommy isn't sick...she is pregnant". Good luck with your proposed legislation, you will need all the support that you can get behind you ...The AMA and the ObGyn is a large powerful machine to go up against.
kcstark 4 years ago
WOW! Great video. I live in Gadsden AL and I totally agree. We should have the right to choose. I CHOOSE TO BIRTH AT HOME! Alabama Mamma's let your voice be herd.
fluffy0106 4 years ago
Great video! Very well done & a needed message.
keecrys 4 years ago
Well done! I congratulate you on all the work you have done for this cause. Although I live in FL now, I did have a midwife attended homebirth in Montgomery, AL 3 years ago. Even with the risk involved and some of the hardships we had to endure because of our decision. It was well worth it and making this legal would just benefit dozens of mothers-to-be! Plus, this is what America is all about. The freedom to have choices!
SLuvmozart 4 years ago
HOORAY!! this looks awesome!! I am fighting the good fight as well! I want to have my next one at home and not drive to Tennessee either!
Midwifesupporter 5 years ago
great job! my husband was watching over my shoulder and said the same thing! i am a friend of courtneys and i live in atlanta so i was able to home a homebirth with a midwife and i'm so excited that the time for you guys to do the same is coming! you've inspired me to maybe make a video too!
candrageorgi 5 years ago
Wow! Astabeth, I did not know it was against the law to have a midwife for home delivery in Alabama, I thought we where free in America.
Mikelwryan 5 years ago
Wow. I am impressed. Great Work.
mnmrabb 5 years ago
Hi, I think this is a great video - very encouraging for your first time and really informative. I live in Al and I will act on what you said. thanks m
KristiLanford 5 years ago
This is my first attempt at a 'real' video. Please be kind!
Astabeth 5 years ago