Is Homebirth on the Rise?

Between 2004 and 2007, homebirths in the United States increased by  16%, but these increases still leave the total number of homebirths well below where it was in 1991 when recording began. Interestinly, the increase occurred before the most recent publicity around homebirth - and well before the release of a spate of movies highlighting it. Such a movement is not without precedent. In the United Kingdom, a government endorsement movement called Changing Childbirth has been credited with leading to a growth in homebirths that has continued until the present, raising the rate from 0.9% of all births in the late 1980s to the most recent rate of 2.9% in 2008. However, the homebirth rate had already been increasing for 5 consecutive years before Changing Childbirth came into being. It may well be that women are choosing homebirths independently of the increased media and childbirth activism (Declercq, 2010).

up-dated!!!

ACNM Homebirth Position Statement

Read the statement here and find an up-dated annotated bibliography on homebirth studies here.

U.S. Newborn Death Rate Increasing

"Babies in the United States have a higher risk of dying during their first month of life than do babies born in 40 other countries, according to a new report.

Some of the countries that outrank the United States in terms of newborn death risk are South Korea, Cuba, Malaysia, Lithuania, Poland and Israel, according to the study" (Rettner, 2011).

Yes, you read that correctly, it is safer to have your baby in Malaysia or Cuba, or even Lithuania, than it is in a hospital right here in the good old U.S. of A.

"We know that solutions as simple as keeping newborns warm, clean and properly breast-fed can keep them alive," said study researcher Joy Lawn of the Save the Children Foundation, which worked with the WHO on the report. "It isn't that you have to build invasive care units to halve your neonatal mortality." 

Amen! Is it really safe for women to birth vulnerable babies in an environment surrounded by illness, disease and death?

"More healthcare workers, including midwives, are needed to teach and implement these lifesaving practices," Lawn states. 

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SB 581 (Becker) - HIV testing of pregnant women. This bill was supported by the One Test, Two Lives committee, of which the Indiana Perinatal Network is a member. Crafted in response to the rise in perinatal HIV transmission occurring in Indiana, the bill requires a pregnant woman's oral or written consent for an HIV test to be documented in her medical chart instead of requiring a written statement of consent. It was amended to require a committee to study issues concerning current laws regarding consent for HIV testing. Status: The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Daniels.

Vaginal Breech Birth
Weekend-long breech skills workshop, simulation training, and upright breech technique
July 15-17, Indianapolis IN

Dr. J. Peter O’Neill & Betty-Anne Daviss

Download our flier here for further details.

Believe Midwifery would like to thank all those that so graciously contributed to the success of this workshop. We do hope to offer a similar workshop in Niceville, Florida in the fall of 2013, at the new birth center, Gentle Beginnings, owned by one of my favorite midwives, Cindi Denbow MSN, CNM. Please watch our website and Facebook page for up-dates.

Rixa Freeze PhD was instrumental in making this workshop a reality. Her volunteered time was substancial. I lack the vocabulary to express my immense gratitude. She is a genuine advocate for midwives and their clientele. A true gem that I am honored to know.

The staff of Believe Midwifery Services never fail to impress me. Holly Hopkins MSN, CNM, Gretchen Knight LPN and Savanna Bannister all assisted in volunteering their time and donation of food and supplies. Hugs to each of you for your continued support.

We also had a number of friends extend their support through donations to cover cost and/or food for the attendants. While I feel so completely blessed to simply be asked to attend the births of our clients, it is quite remarkable to know that "you have my back" as we work to improve our skill, advance our knowledge, pave a path for midwifery options, and secure options for childbearing families.

Dave & Carrie LePere

Beth Zimmerman

Nicole Ramsey & Kristen Hopper

Alica Conner

Rob & Crystal Beiswenger

MedTech Nursing School

The American College of Nurse-Midwives responds to ACOG's Committee Opinion on Planned Home Birth:

Opening the Door to Collaborative Care

 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Issued an

Opinion on Planned Home Births on January 20th, 2011

Dr. Freeze gives commentary on her popular blog, Stand and Deliver, following the 2007 ACOG opinion on home birth here and most currently, following the 2011 opinion here. Melissa Garvey blogs at the Midwife Connection about ACNM's response here.

Read and view a webcast about The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

Penny Lane enrolled in the Herbal Medicine for Women program taught by Aviva Romm through The National Herbal and Integrative Medicine Foundation, making this one giant step towards becoming a registered herbalist. This course is intensive, requiring 18-24 months for completion.

Jess Wolfe joined our team as a midwifery assistant in December of 2011 and Heather Sutherland has returned from maternity leave! Gretchen and Keely have accepted positions as co-managers of the office. The two of them will be primary clinical assistants to the midwives each office day, and assist Penny with administrative tasks. These are both full-time positions and should greatly assist in accomplishing the plethora of administrative needs that had previously overwhelmed the practice.

Penny completed an intensive ultrasound workshop in October of 2011 for Certified Nurse Midwives through the Jefferson Institute & University. She gives great praise to the program and encourages all maternity practitioners to sit through one of Mani's courses. Fabulous speaker with profound knowledge of obstetrial imagining.

Keely Lane has joined the practice as a midwife assistant. Keely has attended a number of births with her mother, Penny Lane, including two vaginal breech births and twins. She has training as a DONA doula, soon to be certified and has completed her midwife assistant training. Keely has enrolled in an Emergency Medical Technician program at Witham Hospital with the vision of serving in the mission field. She currently denies the desire to become a midwife, as the responsibility intimidates her. Keely very much enjoys postpartum doula work and can be reached via e-mail or via cell phone (765) 894-1730 for such requests.

Louis Reeves was born at Methodist Hospital on October 6th, 2011 weighing 9 pounds, 6 ounces and 22 inches long.

We appreciate greatly the kind and respectful care our clients receive at Methodist Hospital upon transfer. They are a perfect example of a safe infrastructure of care between homebirth midwives and the hospital institution.

The Vaginal Breech Birth Workshop was phenomenal! Penny and has participated and/or observed more than 80 Vaginal Breech Birth simulations.

Other News

Penny Lane MSN, CNM has successfully earned the credentials IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) for the second time.

Penny has attended an Aromatherapy course, as well as Raindrop Technique, Emotional Release, VitaFlex, and Oils of the Bible through CARE. She looks forward to integrating her new skills into her midwifery care.

Believe Midwifery Services was awarded as a nominee for the Spirit of Service Award for Contribution to the Field of Perinatal Health in 2010 by the Indiana Perinatal Network.

Penny Lane MSN, CNM was chosen as a NURSE of the YEAR finalist for 2009 and awarded the Advancement of Nursing Award for the year 2009 by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the Indianapolis Star at the Salute to Nurses Banquet.

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