I would love to pursue a midwife-assisted homebirth, but...

nightowlmama · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 06:26 PM

...apparently they're "illegal" here.

Is there anything I can do? Since our third didn't initially breath on her own, was intubated, and spent her first 1.5hrs in the NICU, I don't think I feel comfortable with unassisted...and I KNOW my DH doesn't! (He works very successfully with patients in healthcare (even bagged some), mind you, but I think the idea of his wife and baby's very lives in his hands is much different and a lot for him to handle.) He, however, has known since well before this pregnancy that I really want us to experience a homebirth. We just found out we're pregnant last week...I know it's early, but thought I might as well start my research to see if this is even a possibility.

Any help or suggestions would be great! TIA!

my 3 angels · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 11:07 AM

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do.

I've heard of midwives there who work "under the radar" but you might have a hard time finding them. Of course, there's not much the law can do if you "labor so fast that you had to have the baby at home with a trusted friend."

Have you checked out www.narm.org ? That site is packed with info and gives state by state laws. You could also post a question on the birth professional forum of the mothering.com board. Here's a link. I'm sure these ladies will be more than willing to help you out!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...play.php?f=228

Good luck! Come back and keep us posted!

Jen

ammint02 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 10:32 AM

Midwifery is illegal in my state as well, but I still found a homebirth midwife.

What state are you in? maybe with both of us searching the net we could find someone. Also some states allow hospital midwives, this may be something you could look into. HTH

sunnymw · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 11:46 AM

It's illegal here too and I managed to find three willing to travel to my area, all within 2 hours of my house.

They are out there, I agree posting on MDC is a good bet. You could also look for doulas in your area and ask them if they know any HBMW's... this is what I did, I asked if she would be comfortable just acting as a doula at my UC, and it turns out she's been a HBMW for 15 years.

nightowlmama · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 01:56 PM

Nothing like a late update...I found my midwife quite by accident just before Christmas (great gift!) and had my first visit with her right after the new year. We're still planning a homebirth...most likely in the water unless I have a change of heart at the last minute. I see her for the third time on Friday.

Thanks for the replies.