Jan 29 2009
Seeking New Laws for Home Births
Since I live in California I wasn’t aware that midwives and home births are not legal in every state. With the incoming Obama administration and expected changes to the health care system those who advocate home births are seeking legislation in many states to legalize the position of Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) for home birth.
The main argument in this particular article is that a home birth attended by a CPM is a good option for those with low risk pregnancies to reduce medical costs and deliver in a more familiar environment. Many medical boards and institutions still resist the practice as potentially unsafe as labor and delivery complications can develop quickly.
I am not particularly opposed to home birth for those who want this option. It does seem however, that making the case that it is a good choice because it is “less expensive” is a terrible argument. Having a home birth is a decision that should be made based on the values, comfort and safety of the parents and baby. Economics should not be a deciding factor. It may be a plus for those who are already committed to the idea but the thought that someone might choose a home birth primarily to save a buck is a very scary prospect.
