Midwifery Study Committee

As you may know, homebirth in Georgia is not totally "legal." A midwife is considered to be practicing medicine without a license for catching babies. In most of the other states, midwifery and homebirth is legal...even paid for my insurance and Medicaid. But since Ga tends to be behind the times....and the OBGYN influence carries much weight in the legislature....homebirth is still not legal.
SO........................because women want the option of where to give birth.....because women want a qualified, trained midwife.......because it is statistically SAFER to give birth at home (for low risk moms).................because women are tired of having a scared uterus for no medical reason............because babies and moms have a better outcome at home.................and because moms overall prefer homebirths (from moms who have given birth in the hospital as well as at home)........................we are working hard to legalize homebirth!!!! We are following in the footsteps of the other states that have homebirthing laws and we are fighting for the right to give birth where we choose.
(I am NOT "pro choice"...a shocker there...however, if a mom can decide to kill her baby at 28 weeks of pregnancy then a mom should also choose where she wants to give birth)

I am asking you..........any reader of this blog that lives anywhere near Atlanta (or will be visiting there soon!) to help support us moms that want the homebirth option.....and come to the Capitol to show your support.
Below is specific information...............................................please consider coming out and let your voice be heard. Even if you did not homebirth. Even if you never will. Show that you support MY choice to do so!!!! Below are the next meetings. These are the ONLY ONES LEFT and our only chance to get the laws changed:


Thursday, December 14, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006

All meetings are at 10:00 am and will be held in Room 403 of the Capitol. The meeting are scheduled to last 2 hours. The first hour and 45 minutes are devoted to a specific agenda as local midwives and representatives of various organizations address the committee. We will try to post the agenda for each upcoming meeting in advance as that information becomes available.

The last 15 minutes of each meeting is devoted for individual attendees who sign up ahead of time to speak. Each person who speaks is given 5 minutes, and they may also submit written documentation.

Room 403 is very large, and there is lots of room for homebirth supporters to attend. Babies and quiet children are welcome. You are encouraged to come even if you don't speak at all! If you are able to speak, you should try to arrive on time so that you can get your name on the sign-up sheet. Or, if you have young children with you and can't handle such a long meeting, you can come towards the end, and you should still be able to speak, provided you submit your name and request ahead of time to Sally Fox, the legislative assistant involved in these meetings (contact listed below). OR, is you absolutely can't make it to a meeting, you can also just email your written testimony to Sally.

Regarding what to say, I would counsel you to say whatever is on your mind and in your heart, but just say something! Your participation is very important. Let the legislature know why YOU chose a homebirth, why you feel homebirth is important, and why you think it should be a legal option in Georgia. You can keep it really simple and just speak or write a few lines, or you can get into 'facts and figures" supporting homebirth if you'd like (just remember that if you start quoting facts you do need to provide references in writing).



If you are unsure of the appropriateness of your testimony I suggest you "run it by" your midwife. I would be happy to give input and suggestions to our clients, if such input is sought. But again, don't let fear or hesitation stall you out---the legislators need to hear what you have to say.


Also, I have mainly addressed this message directly to homebirthers. In reality, it is important that any and all homebirth supporters, whether or not they have birthed at home themselves, let their support be made known. Grandmas, Grandpas, friends, churchmembers, alternative health professionals, feminist thinkers, etc. etc., anyone who supports this basic right is encouraged to say so, so please pass this info on.


Here is the contact info I mentioned earlier. If you want your name to be listed to speak at a meeting, or you just want to submit written testimony by email, send it to:
Sally Fox
Research Analyst
Georgia House of Representatives
Coverdell Office Building
Room 205 A
18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30334


I think there's some real hope that we could have good midwifery legislation in GA in the next few years if we get down to business with this! This is happening all over the country! Do you think it's our turn?



Hope to see you at the Capitol!