I would not mind your posting to your blog. I think it’s important that we all continue to share our experiences as reminders of the very real human factors being influenced at corporate and policy levels.

“In the past, I was the CEO of my own company. I realize the difficult and complex decisions that must be made in ensuring the fiscal health and viability of a business. ……so I am not naïve to the reality of it being a business, despite the mission of human care. But having that experience also gives me insight into the nature of acceptable vs. non-acceptable risks in achieving the business objectives.”

When I received a call from the CEO, he assured me it wasn’t financial and that the mid-wifery program was actually very profitable for them. However, when the statement and letter were subsequently issued referencing operational requirements, I couldn’t help but wonder what actual decision point was. I also couldn’t help but wonder why when I came to the practice there were three midwives and one was never replaced if the program was so profitable. What I do know is that in the medical world, doctor satisfaction has generally reigned supreme over patient satisfaction.

I delivered a beautiful, sweet baby girl at NHRMC on Sunday morning at 4:11 a.m. I declined to consent to care by any Carolina OB/GYN personnel upon arrival. I was assigned a resident upon request, armed with the knowledge that I could do that from the suggestion here.

Privately, I was approached by many staff supporting the decision and stand. They also spoke about the power women have to affect change with these types of actions.

Honestly, my birth was SO intense and fast (1.5 cm/60% effaced to fully complete and naturally delivered within an hour of arrival), that there was little time for interventions of any sort. I can say that they read my birthing plan and referred to my wishes when care choices were thought to be an option. My daughter and birth partner was on hand to advocate, but didn’t anticipate having to face this challenge without the partnership of a midwife prior to Carolina OB/GYN’s decision.

I am grateful to each person who participated positively in this birth, including the beautiful energies I carried away from the protest, my care team at NHRMC and my brilliant, strong and supportive daughter, who held my hand through it all and was the voice I heard through it all.

But I have to say that in the midst of that turmoil, intensity and uncertainty, I deeply grieved the loss of my midwife’s familiarity and trust. I felt overwhelmed and defensive in the face of the speed and force of the birth. I worried that my daughter, who turned nineteen on the day of this birth, would be disregarded for her inexperience. I am still haunted by the images she witnessed of birth as an overwhelming, consuming, traumatic experience with strangers. I know it could have been a much more manageable experience from beginning to end with Suzanne there as planned.

In the same breath that I express my gratitude for a healthy birth despite the harrowing nature, I reassert the inhumanity of Carolina Ob/Gyn’s handling of the termination of the mid-wifery program. The inability to transition in a manner that preserved the conscious choice, dignity and trust of their mid-wifery patients stands as a tragic example of misplaced corporate priorities.

I am hopeful the future of mid-wifery in Wilmington and North Carolina brighten considerably with the leverage of attention and support brought about by their actions. But I also continue to campaign for a remedy for the moms, babies and mid-wives directly affected in the immediate.

http://www.WheresMyMidwife.org

Also look at the blog on “Suzanne Needs Your Help”, “Speak Out To Carolina Ob/Gyn”, and “Where’s My Midwife?”. There are addresses of people to write and call!