Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Medicine
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Midwives [18 VAC 85 ‑ 130]
Action Disclosure requirements for high-risk pregnancies
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 11/25/2009
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11/18/09  10:19 pm
Commenter: Rebecca Aquino

Evidence-based information
 

Our caring midwives and the Midwifery Model of Care already ensure that we mothers and fathers receive evidence-based information regarding each decision we face in the course of a pregnancy.  If our pregnancies involve a special situation, we receive well-researched information regarding risks at home and risks associated with hospital birth and medical intervention and we must be free to choose the setting and methods we believe will be best and safest for our birth.  Special situations should not exclude any from gaining access to midwifery care and home birth.

The evidence supports the safety of home-birth, even in many "high-risk" cases.  I do not believe any more regulation is necessary.  Additional regulations must not prevent our Midwives from being able to provide us with the care we most desire and need.  If any oversight is needed, it is in the OB office and hospital ward.  Mothers must have freedom of choice regarding their birth - it is a basic American right.  Let our state's midwives and physicians lead the nation with our model of care.

 

   

 

CommentID: 10120