UPDATE: SF 484

Update to my previous post

http://thefamilyflock.blogspot.com/2011/03/update-sf-484-bill-to-license-certified.html

From what I've read on FOIM's facebook, the hospital lobby fought SF 484 hard. The Iowa Hospital Association sent an email to their subscribers (follow link provided to access actual email http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?aid=1257&issueid=24410&atid=18804&siteid=0&app=GAC&isvisited=false)

From the Iowa Hospital Association

"Alert-in-brief: Senate File 484 would allow for the licensure of lay-midwives. IHA opposes this legislation on the grounds that lay-midwives do not have any formal education in nursing and many times, due to inadequate care or inadequate resources, patients end up in the hospital ER or worse, lose their baby or their own lives.
Furthermore – the bill would not require lay-midwives to carry professional liability insurance.

Background – Lay-midwives are individuals who have received training in an informal setting. They do not have to have nursing degrees – nor a college degree of any type – and can oftentimes obtain “certification” through a course – and even online or through self-study.

IHA asks advocates to contact their Senators urging their opposition to this bill as it would put lives of the living and the unborn at risk."

If the IHA wishes to oppose the bill, then by all means, they have the right. However, I found this email to be misleading and vague. I doubt failure of this bill to pass will have much affect on home birth in Iowa. Most women who want a home birth and don't have access to a CNM will probably use a CPM or have an unassisted home birth anyway. What I don't understand is why some in the mainstream medical field feel threatened by home birth and CPM's. I don't think making CPM's legal would have much affect on hospitals. I don't think thousands more woman are going to chose care with a CPM just because they would be legal. The majority of women still desire a hospital birth with an OBGYN or CNM. I also don't think designer birth, as it's come to be called in the media, is a trend that will fade or slow down anytime soon.

On the flip side...

Many in the home birth community did not want the bill to pass because they felt it would bring more scrutiny to home birth. I understand this viewpoint. I think what's important to remember is that no matter what kind of care provider you chose, you have to do your best to make sure they are qualified and you feel comfortable with them. Illegal or not, there are good and bad CPM's, CNM's, and OBGYN's and they all have a chance of having a bad outcome.

Overall, I support a woman and a families right to chose whichever provider they feel comfortable with be it a CPM, CNM,or OBGYN.

UPDATE: SF 484 a Bill to License Certified Professional Midwives in Iowa

Follow up to my previous post http://thefamilyflock.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-to-advocacy.html

Last night I did a mass email to all Iowa Senators. Today I received a response back from Senator Brad Zaun and Senator Jack Whitver. My first and only response to date. Senator Zaun is supportive of the bill. Senator Whitver relied, "As we have extra time before we debate the bill, I am using the time to research the bill further. In general, I support patient choice, but I always try to research the bill for unintended consequences or any flaws before it comes up for a vote. One of my biggest concerns right now on the bill is insurance for midwifery and if they are able to get covered for malpractice insurance if something goes wrong. I’ve been in contact with lobbyists on behalf of the cause, and I appreciate the information and personal connection you’ve provided as well. Please stay in touch as the bill comes to the floor."

I responded to Senator Zaun by thinking him for responding and for supporting the bill. I responded to Senator Whitver by thinking him for his response and stated that I respected and appreciated his desire to further research the bill. In my message I attached factsheets provided by FOIM and the contact information for Megan Day-Suhr , FOIM lobbyist.

So, at least I received some responses and I'm very excited that one of the responses was supportive of the bill. Yea!

NOTE: factsheets mentioned above can be accessed at the following link http://www.friendsofiowamidwives.org/facts.html

NOTE: information regarding bill SF 484 can be accessed at the following link http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&ga=84&hbill=SF484

Nucleus Medical Media: Birth of Baby (Vaginal Childbirth)

I learned of this video via Natalie Watson of Natalie Doula & Pregnancy Support's facebook page.

http://www.nataliedoula.com/#!

VBAC Preparation Class

Diane Tinker, of Birth Companions Doula Service is offering VBAC preparation classes

From Diane:

"Sundays, March 27 & April 3 from 3-5 pm. This class is designed for couples who are considering or planning a VBAC. You do not have to be pregnant to attend, but thinking of a vbac in the future.

Diane Tinker, ICCE, CD(DONA)
Birth Companions Doula Service
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator, specializing in VBAC & Homebirth

http://www.birthcompanionsdoulaservice.com/

New to advocacy

I'm new to contacting legislators and advocating for causes I believe in. So far, the experience has been a mixed bag. I find talking to friends, family, co-workers and the such very easy. However, communicating, or lack there of, with my representatives has been disappointing to say the least.

My first "formal" experience with advocacy came when I discovered an organization called Friends of Iowa Midwives (FOIM). I you aren't familiar with FOIM, please access the link below:

http://www.friendsofiowamidwives.org/

At the first of the year, FOIM had a campaign to send a calendar celebrating home birth in Iowa to our Senators. I bought two calendars, one for myself and one to send to an Iowa Senator. I sent a calendar and a letter to Senator Pat Ward 01/07 and never received a response.

Next, FOIM asked me to email my local Senator asking him/her to support bill SF 484, which aims to legalize Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) in Iowa. So, on 3/11 I sent an email to Senator Matthew McCoy asking for his support of bill SF 484 and why I thought CPM's should be legal in Iowa. No response.

Hum...

Maybe Senators don't generally respond to constituents. Maybe it takes awhile to hear back from them. Maybe I should have called or texted instead of emailed.

I suppose it's not really important to hear back. I just hope they received my message and will support the bill. For more information about bill SF 484, please access the link below

http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&ga=84&hbill=SF484

On a positive note. I did some fundraising work with ICAN of Iowa 2/26. We sold coupon books at Younkers Vally West and received money for our group with every book sold. This event was fun and gave me the opportunity to visit with some of the ladies in the group. So far, I really enjoy the time I spend at ICAN. The women I've met there are truly inspirational.

If you aren't familiar with ICAN, please access the link below:

http://www.icaniowa.com/