Wednesday 25 June 2008

Thank you AMA/ACOG, but I think NOT.

Dunno how many of you keep up with current news in the birthing world, but there's some scary shit going on. I haven't been blogging much on it since most every birth blog I know of has said it all, and far more eloquently than I. However, I feel that every one, whether they're part of the birthing community, have children, don't have them, male, female, old or young, needs to know about this. I'd like to think that this is all utterly unconstitutional and so shall never be passed, but these days I've lost more than a little faith in the government. I think the Big Push for Midwives said it perfectly when they called this fiasco "Big Brother meets Father Knows Best".

The AMA (American Medical Association) has joined the ACOG (American College of Gynecologists) in frowning heavily on homebirth, and gone a step further in suggesting that legislation be introduced that "supports" the notion that the safest place for birthing and the post-partum period is in the hospital.

I mean...wow. Just wow. It seems every day that passes makes this country a more scary place to live.

The quote in full: (emphasis mine)


Whereas, Twenty-one states currently license midwives to attend
home births, all using the certified professional midwife (CPM)
credential (CPM or "lay midwives), not the certified midwives (CM)
credential which both the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) and American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
recognize[1]; and

Whereas,
There has been much attention in the media by celebrities having home
deliveries, with recent Today Show headings such as Ricki Lake takes on
baby birthing industry: Actress and former talk show host shares her
at-home delivery in new film
[2]; and

Whereas,
An apparently uncomplicated pregnancy or delivery can quickly become
very complicated in the setting of maternal hemorrhage, shoulder
dystocia, eclampsia or other obstetric emergencies, necessitating the
need for rigorous standards, appropriate oversight of obstetric
providers, and the availability of emergency care, for the health of
both the mother and the baby during a delivery; therefore be it

RESOLVED,
That our American Medical Association support the recent American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) statement that the
safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum
period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital
complex, that meets standards jointly outlined by the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) and ACOG, or in a freestanding birthing center that
meets the standards of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory
Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association of Birth
Centers [3] (New HOD Policy); and be it further

RESOLVED,
That our AMA develop model legislation in support of the concept that
the safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum
period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital
complex, that meets standards jointly outlined by the AAP and ACOG, or
in a freestanding birthing center that meets the standards of the
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint
Commission, or the American Association of Birth Centers. (Directive to
Take Action)


Fiscal Note: Implement accordingly at estimated staff cost of $1,929.

Received: 04/28/08


The thought of having CPS take my children because I chose to give birth at home with a midwife is absolutely terrifying to me.

3 comments:

bubbeedee said...

jeez, no kidding. Well, it just makes sense - I mean, the government (and organizations like the AMA and NEA) knows what's best for us. I'm so glad we have them to tell us how to have babies, when we should send them to the government indoctrination center (oops! I mean school) and of course when we should die - you know, when our quality of life has become a nuisance to others. Gosh, I guess I have no worries now!

Stassja said...

I guess the next step would be that we shouldn't eat if we're not within five minutes of a hospital. Even better, everyone should be supervised by a certified EMT or, best case scenario, sitting in an OR with a surgical team on hand should the worst happen. We're all incapable of appropriately weighing risks for our selves and making our own decisions. YOU COULD CHOKE AND DIE!!!

The world is just full of death lurking around every corner. Perhaps we should all have like, doctor bodyguards, that trail us everywhere, poking and prodding with instruments to make sure we're still "ok".

You know, it just galls even more since this is THE country that's all, woman's body, her "choice". BS! You don't see anyone forcing cancer patients into care.

A little more scary in light of the recent footage of CPS taking a two day old baby from her parents in Texas, all because they were poor. No hint of abuse or neglect, the father had a job, they owned a car, but they were living in a motel. Um, I think that qualifies as a roof over their head! I can't even imagine how that woman must feel, recovering from a c-section with her baby torn from her arms. I think I'd be climbing out the window and running for it. Even better? CPS didn't even have a court order, nothing signed by a judge. Just one case worker that wanted that baby. (Hey, more federal funds for their agency! Not to mention all the money they make fostering the child out and the adoption fees.)

Yuck.

bubbeedee said...

Doctor Bodyguards! Brilliant! Right you are about abortion rights vs. cancer patients. But you know, I'm beginning to think the whole abortion rights thing is just marketing strategy for libs. Keep the young ladies happy and they'll keep voting for more fine govt. protection. We have a similar trojan horse down here - virtual schools. Now your child can get free public schooling ONLINE. Imagine that! Keep the kids home and get your indoctrination piped right in! Nobody has to put in any effort (well, maybe Jr. does), Mom and Dad can just kick back and let the govt. babysit until 4pm when we can switch them back over to cable or satellite to have what's left of their morals undermined by hollywood. Ah, and the livin' is easy....