I was featured as a natural birth and breastfeeding
advocate on Ricki Lake’s site MyBestBirth.com two weeks ago, and only
because I read the MBB e-mail newsletter announcing my featured post did I learn
that one of the most progressive hospitals in the city, St. Vincent’s in
Manhattan, was closed, making it impossible for the home-birth midwives in New
York to practice. They are obliged by state law to be approved by a hospital or
obstetrician. So any expecting mom wanting to give birth at home can’t now, and
the midwives either have to work illegally with their clients or are out of a
job.
I'm outraged. This is New York City we are talking about! I’m outraged that I didn’t hear about this earlier, that this isn’t a bigger story. I actually gave birth to my son in a hospital -- we made it there, doula in tow, 20 minutes before he was born -- but I would want to have my baby at home the next time if we had another child. What are the New York midwives supposed to do, and more importantly, what is going to happen to the expecting moms who are close to their due dates, have been working with their midwives throughout their pregnancies, and now aren’t allowed to give birth at home?
Continue reading "Want a Home Birth? You Can’t in New York. " »







Recent Comments