There is a core group of us committed to creating a positive outcome. Our mission is to increase access to midwives in hospitals, free-standing birthing centers and at home through education and advocacy.
We are in no away against obstetricians; we are for choice! Doctors themselves are advocates. Consider the over 200 local doctors who are part of StopTitan.org Another corporation directly affecting the health of local families!
Dismantling of the midwifery program was a “corporate decision” because of “operational requirements”. This is the way decisions are made and explained by those in executive offices. The letter that was sent out to the midwifery patients is a fine example of “politically correct”, cold and uncaring language, as many of you have expressed. This was not written by the obstetricians who will absorb the midwifery patients. Those doctors want the patients to know that they do care about them, but how would you know? The Midwifery Model of Care allows a midwife to get to know her patients and create personal bonds. The phrase itself, “operational requirements” is open-ended and leaves lots of room for misunderstanding.
I suggest to the almost 100 patients who expected to be delivered by the midwives at Carolina Ob/Gyn between Aug 2009-Jan 2009, as I suggested to the Office Manager of Carolina Ob/Gyn last Thursday, to request a town hall type meeting with those patients and the doctors who will now deliver them. These patients need to ask their questions and air their concerns with their doctors. A second suggestion I made was to make an appointment to speak to a doctor about the style of care they provide and how they can best serve you. This should not be a prenatal check up where your urine is sampled and cervix checked. The idea is to have the time to get to know your doctor as a person, like we know the midwives, before they preform intimate procedures. The Office Manager, Elizabeth Lesh, assured me that time will be made for these appointments. Now, it is up to the patients to schedule them. As a doula, I have worked with many doctors who were supportive of a family’s birth plan. Please, speak with your care provider to find out how they feel.
As for the corporate angle, I cannot be convinced it wasn’t a money issue. I own a business and the majority of my business decisions are based on making money! Therefore, it is directly up to the patients of Carolina Ob/Gyn, the consumers who pay for their care, to address Wilmigton Health Associates with their concerns. As a group “Where’s My Midwife?” needs to remain positive and work toward future goals of open access to midwives in our town and nationally. This means:
1. New Hanover Regional Medical Center needs to change their policy on midwifery care to a more open and accessible one. This is why we are picketing them and will remain doing so until they set a time and date to meet with us! (See the post that shows the letter sent to Dr. Cooper)
2. We want a free-standing birth center in Wilmington. All the proceeds of the “Where’s My Midwife?” fundraisers will go towards this goal. (I am sorry, NHRMC, but deciding on widescreen tv’s instead of a bathtub installed in each labor room doesn’t appease me!)
3. We want licensure for CPM’s to practice in our State. (Join NCFOM, North Carolina Friends of Midwives)
“Where’s my midwife?” is taking on a life of it’s own! There are many families directly impacted by the dismantling of the midwifery program at Carolina Ob/Gyn. For those families interested in letting Carolina Ob/Gyn know how their decision affected them please join with the others who were patients of Suzanne and Pamela. Infomation will be posted on the Facebook group “Where’s My Midwife?” and the new website authored by such a mom: www.WheresMyMidwife.org
Brenda said
August 8, 2009 @ 10:41 pmLooking forward to hearing more about the details. I understand addressing NHRMC policy as a root cause of the state of midwifery affairs in Wilmington. However, I still feel strongly that we also need to focus on peaceful resistance against Carolina Ob-Gyn’s actions. I hope there will be enough of us to have protesters at both sites.
Many of you are focused on the future, as am I. However, I am due very soon and also feel a very present and immediate relevance to the recent action. Being cut off from care in the very final leg of my journey has been jarring, not to mention emotionally and physically distressing. I do feel as though Carolina OB-GYN needs to feel the effects of these decisions as many of us are being affected in the present.
I am still grappling with what I’m going to do. So, in addition to the philosophical stance, there is a pressing practical reality. Has anyone focused on a solution for those of us with this very real and immediate dilemma?
Amy Farmer said
August 9, 2009 @ 9:52 amThere is a fantastic birth center in Chapel Hill that will often take patients late if they can-it is a drive but I used to work there for awhile (as well as had my 1st child there) and many women came from SC, VA, and all parts of NC to have their babies there. A wonderful experience-Women’s Birth and Wellness Center is the name.
Brenda said
August 9, 2009 @ 11:47 amAmy… I called them last Friday night and spoke with both the director and one of the managers. They are at capacity for August. But perhaps this is a solution for women due September and beyond. It certainly seems like a very lovely space.
youaremysunshineblog said
August 9, 2009 @ 12:56 pI can only imagine what it must be like to have planned a birth with the midwives at Carolina Ob/Gyn, and days before welcoming baby have this awful event occur. For those of you who are most immediately affected, my thoughts are with you. As a doula and childbirth teacher (and a mother who had two natural births at NHRMC), remember that regardless of the person who is there to catch your baby, you and your support team control the experience through knowledge and advocacy. What I mean by this is that you, as a birthing mother, have everything you need inside of you to give birth with confidence, strength and joy! Your support team needs to be able to advocate your birth plan with informed respect. Being able to “birth from within” is where most women can find the strength to handle the intensity of birth, while your support team needs to keep the environment safe, dark and quiet. For most fathers, this can be very difficult as they are not trained in the information needed to know what is routine medical care and what is medically necessary. I would highly recommend hiring a doula. I always do because it is proven that a doula reduces the risk of negative outcomes and helps the dad be involved and confident.
http://www.CapeFearAreaDoulas.org
On a side note, I just attended a conference on Friday where Dr. Janalynn Beste spoke on “Gentle Birth”. She is the doctor that is in charge of the family practice residents at NHRMC. She has also given birth naturally in a hospital setting. Her husband Dr. Todd Beste is in charge of the OB residents. Perhaps, consider birthing with a resident.
If you show up in labor at NHRMC, you can always “refuse to consent” to an intervention or a certain doctor’s care. In that case, a resident would take over. Again, as a laboring woman, it can be hard to find your voice when your body is telling you to go within. Someone familiar with the “Patient’s Bill of Rights” needs to respectfully and affirmatively speak up.
I wish you peace in your transformation into motherhood. Attitude can make all the difference! Please be sure you have someone ready to care for and advocate for you and your baby. My book “Trust Birth” and Penny Simpkin’s book “The Birth Partner” are quick reads on this.
Sylvia said
August 9, 2009 @ 3:11 p…Our voices as concerned mothers and women need to be heard by our entire community and beyond, not just by the hospital and those in private practice. … Our maternity and health care options should not be limited in this way!
Brenda said
August 9, 2009 @ 9:24 pmI will be on hand tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll be quite a spectacle as walking is not the easiest or fastest activity for me right now. But I think it’s very important that we all make it a priority to support the effort.
On other notes, my partner works out of town. He will be here Monday and Tuesday. I pray to give birth within those two to have the advocacy Carmen advises. Otherwise, it’s my eighteen year old daughter and I that will be facing this, including any non-consent issues that arise. She’s a smart young lady, is well aware of my wishes and has read all the books along with me during the pregnancy. In fact, I know she’s better informed than my partner.
Although I previously had an excellent income, I have not worked in many months now and had pre-paid all expenses to Carolina OB-GYN. They are refusing to refund the excess I paid until all billing has been processed. Therefore, hiring anyone for anything is not within my budget at the moment.
I am an AMA (Advanced Maternal Age) mom and deeply concerned that risk averse personnel will be quick to ply me with unwanted interventions. I will have to place this in Higher hands than mine.
In the meantime, my prayers go out to the other moms who are burdened in the immediate, as well as each of you who have carried the cause of midwifery long prior to this. I hope good things will come of a bad situation, even if they don’t come until the longer term.
Eyes on the prize, ladies. Choice!
youaremysunshineblog said
August 10, 2009 @ 11:50 am Brenda, our thoughts are with you.
If you are comfortable, labor at home as long as possible. Look for the signs of possible medical need, meconium, maternal fever and lack of fetal movement. You may find comfort during the first stage of labor being in your own home, bed, bathtub, etc. Eat and stay hydrated!
Remember to use the phrase “refuse to consent”, if it is a true medical emergency you wont be able to get the entire sentence out before you reach the operating room. Otherwise ask the following questions:
1. Is this a medical emergency or do we have time to talk*?
2. What are the benefits of this procedure?
3. What are the risks of this procedure?
4. What are my alternatives**?
5. I would like time alone as a family to discuss my options*.
6. I would like to do this for the next hour (doctors make hourly rounds, so it fits into their schedule).
*If you have time to talk is it truly an immediate emergency situation?
Most cesarean surgeries and other interventions are done because of LACK OF PATIENCE!
**You may need to add in natural alternatives such as walking, hydrotherapy, relaxing on the toilet, etc. Medical staff tend to give medical answers.
If your nurse isn’t on board with natural birth and your birth plan, request a different nurse.
Warm regards on a beautiful birth. You can do this! Even the most unpredictable birth can be empowering when you make active cho
Brenda said
August 10, 2009 @ 2:41 pm Thank you ladies! I actually feel empowered just having shared time, space and energy with you all today in a productive and meaningful way. Together we can effect change.
My Ph strip tests are definitely indicating the presence of some fluid between 7 – 8 though seemingly diluted. My guess is a slow and possibly high leak. I know you actually trickle for quite a while with little other activity.
I am comfortable and will be here at home as long as possible. I am familiar with the non-consent model you’ve shared, but am so appreciative of the reminder. I don’t know if I could have found it today to save my life!
I feel calm and surrounded by the beautiful, strong vibes I got today from you intelligent, action-oriented, determined women! I really needed that. I see they’ve done the noon day coverage on wect and plan more for the evening. People should try and add to the comment section for the accompanying written report on the web-site.
Partner touched down by plane and is enroute. My daughter will be home from work soon. It would be nice to have a baby, but she will come when she is ready.
Peace & Love,
B.