Any woman in North Carolina, or any other state in the United States, may legally choose a home birth and it is incumbent on policy makers to cultivate a safe and supportive environment for the families they represent. Planned home birth that is attended by a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) can be as safe, or perhaps safer, than planned hospital birth with a dramatic reduction in cesarean section, and other potentially harmful interventions, at a fraction of the cost.
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Temporary Victory for North Carolina Midwives and Expecting Mothers
North Carolina House Bill 522 and Senate Bill 662 would provide legal access to Certified Professional Midwives and increase access to Certified Nurse Midwives's that provide homebirth. The best and safest environment for homebirth women and their babies is one in which midwives, both CPM, and CNM, and local doctors and hospitals can collaborate and work together enabling consultations and smooth transfers of care.
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Any woman in North Carolina, or any other state in the United States, may legally choose a home birth and it is incumbent on policy makers to cultivate a safe and supportive environment for the families they represent. Planned home birth that is attended by a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) can be as safe, or perhaps safer, than planned hospital birth with a dramatic reduction in cesarean section, and other potentially harmful interventions, at a fraction of the cost.
North Carolina is one of only five (5) states to require Certified Nurse Midwives secure oversight of a physician to legal attend births. This restriciton dramatically limits the ability of CNMs to serve women in the state.
The CPM credential is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies which accredits many credentials in the healthcare field including the Certified Nurse Midwife credential. Twenty seven (27) states legally recognize the Certified Professional Midwife and twenty five (25) license and regulate them including VA, TN, SC and FL.
North Carolina House Bill 522 and Senate Bill 662 would provide legal access to Certified Professional Midwives and increase access to Certified Nurse Midwives's that provide homebirth. The best and safest environment for homebirth women and their babies is one in which midwives, both CPM, and CNM, and local doctors and hospitals can collaborate and work together enabling consultations and smooth transfers of care.
