The University of Alabama advocates for Alabama Birth Coalition will participate in a walk in Birmingham Saturday in order to raise awareness about midwifery, which is currently illegal in Alabama.
According to Alabama Midwives Alliance, two types of midwives exist. Certified Nurse Midwives are certified nurses who work with physicians at the time of delivery in a hospital setting, while Certified Professional Midwives are educated through a school to train midwives, but are not nurses.
In 1976, the state of Alabama stopped licensing non-certified nurse midwives. A certified professional midwife is subject to prosecution if caught practicing in Alabama.
Baillie Schantz, a member of the University’s Birth Coalition group, said the Alabama Birth Coalition supports the legalization of this law for a number of reasons, the most important of which is the freedom of choice women should have when delivering.
“Our stance is that mothers should have their own choice,” Schantz said. “Certified midwives will only deliver a healthy baby. Any potentially problematic or high-risk babies are delivered in a hospital.”
Regardless of whether midwifery is legal or not, women are still using midwives instead of hospitals to birth their children, said Kayla Johnson, president of UA Birth Coalition.
“Midwives are having to practice in secret,” Johnson said. “If they were licensed by the state, the transfer of care would be much better.”
Midwifery is not as uncommon as one might think. Many celebrities, such as Gisele Bundchen, Pamela Anderson and Demi Moore have opted to use midwives rather than a doctor in a hospital. Even Paul “Bear” Bryant was born at home under the care of a midwife.
Jordan Cooper, a sophomore majoring in foreign language, said lawmakers should definitely legalize midwifery.
“If [midwives] are qualified, why wouldn’t a midwife be considered an adequate approach?” Cooper said. “I personally would have to be more informed before I would consider using a midwife in potential childbirth, however.”
Members of the UA branch of the Birth Coalition said they plan to expand their membership and get more active on campus this year.
“I see the importance of women having choices, for the safety of themselves and their children,” said Michael Patrick, a senior majoring in political science. “There is also a shortage of hospitals compared to counties and population in the state.”
The group will hold meetings detailing news about the midwife lobbyists. Films such as “The Orgasmic Birth” and “The Business of Being Born” will also be shown.
“We are not associated with pro-choice or pro-life,” Johnson said. “Midwifery is not related to views on abortion. We are a group in support of the freedom of choice for how childbirth will take place for women. Our cause crosses all political and social divides.”
Students who would like to take part in the walk in Birmingham or would simply like to get involved can contact the group at [email protected]. Members plan to leave early Saturday morning and will be back in time for the home football game that day.
