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Anyone live in a state where midwives can't do homebirths?

Brenda - posted on 02/03/2009 ( 3 moms have responded )

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I live in Illinois where midwives are forbidden to assist home births. It must be in a clinical setting of some sort and the midwife can only operate under a higher physician's authority.



I am going to use a midwife for prenatal care but I really want to go the birth alone in my home as long as everything looks healthy at the end of the pregnancy of course. Again I stress that if there are any complications I WILL do the clinic with the midwife.



Should I tell my midwife all along that this is my intention or just go along with her as if I'm planning on doing it at the clinic and then call her after the birth..."oops, couldn't make it to the clinic...had the baby in the tub!"



I feel like I'm going to meet resistance on the home birth idea...Illinois midwife's are not the same as I see in other places...they really don't go with the idea that women can do this on there own.

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Sarah - posted on 02/28/2009

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Um, I live in IL and I had my baby at home with a midwife.  What do you mean midwives are "forbidden to assist home births".  I personally know about 20 midwives who practice home birth in IL, a well as about 10 doctors who will attend, and while I don't know them personally there are also about 30 nurse praticioners in my doctors practice that will also assist home births.  Who told you that a midwife can't practice home birth in IL? 

Regina - posted on 02/26/2009

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So, you found a mw?  I live in NC, also.  I found my MW through two ladies I go to church with.  They had their babies at home with her.  I would say you should talk to your MW.  I don't understand why a MW wouldn't be willing to give you a home birth.  If you can't find a good MW, I would say look for a Doula to help you with the birth, if everything is okay with the pregnancy.  The Doula can help, but of course wouldn't have the medical equipment, like the MW would.  I watched Discovery Health a few months ago and there was a show with women who lived all over and elected to have a home birth alone, with no one but partners.  It looked a lot more tense, than other home births I've seen on videos.

Shelly - posted on 02/11/2009

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I live in NC where CNM can only legally practice with an OB/GYN office. BUT there are Lay Midwives who practice under the radar for home births. You just have to search around for those midwives since obviously they don't advertise! Try a local LLL group to find if anyone knows of midwives who will attend homebirths. I found mine on a Yahoo Meet-up group for local homebirth women.

You could also read up on unassisted births or ask on this site for advice on unassisted births. Good luck with whatever you and your family decide!

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