Does Midwifery really affect you?

Just a reminder to those of you who feel that the Midwifery issue has nothing to do with you.....either becasue you don't want to use a Midwife, you don't have kids, you're male, etc. This affects all of us. It's one more right that you currently don't have. Whether it's safe or not aside, this really boils down to personal freedom. This particular issue may not affect you directly, but if this right isn't restored~what's to say that another right might not be restored, or taken away? Each right gone leads to another right gone and so on. Take a moment to think about this. It starts with giving up one thing and snowballs into being told when you can eat, sleep, poop, whatever. If we don't stand up now and say STOP!, we're only asking for trouble. The government is supposed to be run by the people, for the people~but that can only happen when people take action. It doesn't have to be huge, even a well written letter to the editor can make a difference. Each time you speak to someone about an issue that's important to you, you've given that person soemthing to take away with them and think on. We can make a difference!
Blessings and Peace

Court Ruling

The courts have yet again struck down Midwifery. The judge officially ruled the Midwifery provision in HB818 to be unconstitutional. Could someone please explain to me exactly how legalizing Midwifery does NOT affect lowering health care costs for Missouri families?? It is a major way to cut costs!! Imagine spending only a few thousand dollars as opposed to tens of thousands for having a baby. That's right, a typical Midwife fee might be $2000-$5000, whereas an OB plus hospital stay will be at least $5000, if not more. UGH! I am frustrated and angry. I understand that the judge was not necessarily slamming Midwifery or its many benefits, but it's still a step backwards and now we have to work twice as hard to try to get it legalized again. However, we will persevere. I have hope that someday women and families will be able to choose the birth and attendants they want without fear of prosecution.
Blessings and Peace

Free the Midwives Rally

Yesterday my friends and I travelled to Jeff City for the Midwifery Rally. It was a very interesting experience, as going up there always is. First we sat on the Capitol steps with signs to show our support for the legal status of Midwives. Then we walked over to the library (which has an amazing kids area) to view the "Business of Being Born". What an inspirational movie. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. Two thumbs up. After that, we went back to the Capitol for a rally in the Rotunda and listened to a few guest speakers. We got an update on the court hearing (you know, the one where the MSMA is throwing a hissy fit because Missouri women finally got back a small portion of their basic human rights.). As it currently stands, a decision should be handed down by next Friday. The question for the judge is no longer what we've been asking for over fifty years, "should Midwives be legal?", but has now changed to "Should Midwives be illegal again?" It was extremely hot and the kids did really well, but it is always difficult to go up there and not get angry at the state of our rights. I just want to scream from the steps, "What gives anyone the authority to tell me what I can and can't do with my own body?" But I don't, for so many reasons. One can only hope that somewhere along the way another brave person in power, like Senator Loudon, will stand up for what is right and not for what makes the most money. Until then, us little people (the ones whose voices are supposed to matter the most) will keep schlepping ourselves to various functions, writing letters, and talking to anyone who will listen about the state of affairs for Missouri Midwives.
Blessings and Peace