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1/25/2023
Vote NO to HB 1219 Hey y’all! There are two bills proposed in both the Mississippi house and senate. The first bill of concern HB1219/SB2916 would straight up outlaw midwifery! To prevent this, you need to call/text/email your representatives this Wednesday to say NO to HB1219 and SB2816.
BILL #1 HB1219/SB2916 https://openstates.org/ms/bills/2023/HB1219/ Representatives:
Mississippi Code Title 73 Professions and Vocations 73-25-33 Practice of Medicine currently reads: “The practice of medicine shall mean to suggest, recommend, prescribe, or direct for the use of any person, any drug, medicine, appliance, or other agency, whether material or not material, for the cure, relief, or palliation of any ailment or disease of the mind or body, or for the cure or relief of any wound or fracture or other bodily injury or deformity, or the practice of obstetrics or midwifery, after having received, or with the intent of receiving therefor, either directly or indirectly, any bonus, gift, profit or compensation; provided that nothing in this section, shall apply to females engaged solely in the practice of midwifery.” The last part, “provided that nothing in this section, shall apply to females engaged solely in the practice of midwifery.” is what protects community midwives from prosecution for practicing medicine without a license. Section 12 line 926 replaces this section and does not mention midwives. Read it and ask your representatives not to pass this or to add back in the line about exempting midwives if they do want to pass the rest of the bill SAMPLE MESSAGE #1: Dear Senator _____ [or Representative _____], I am writing in OPPOSITION to SB 2816 [or HB 1219]. My baby was born safely and peacefully at home under the watchful eyes of a Direct Entry Midwife [OR my baby arrived safely because I had a midwife who was diligent about risk assessment and facilitated a timely transfer of care prior to birth.] Mississippi has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country and studies have shown that the Midwifery Model of Care can improve birth outcomes for low-risk moms. Mississippi needs our midwives!!!!! Please vote NO to SB 2816 [or HB 1219] SAMPLE MESSAGE #2: Dear Senator _____ [or Representative _____], I am writing in OPPOSITION to SB 2816 [or HB 1219]. My baby was born safely and peacefully at home under the watchful eyes of a Direct Entry Midwife [OR my baby arrived safely because I had a midwife who was diligent about risk assessment and facilitated a timely transfer of care prior to birth.] If Mississippi outlaws midwives, the rate of unassisted home births will skyrocket, and the consequences may be catastrophic. Please vote NO to SB 2816 [or HB 1219] and ensure that Mississippi mothers continue to have access to highly trained, out of hospital midwives. SAMPLE MESSAGE #3: Dear Senator _____ [or Representative _____], I am writing in OPPOSITION to SB 2816 [or HB 1219]. While I have not personally had a child at home, I believe that every woman should have the right to birth where she desires and with the provider of her choice. I am asking you to Please vote NO to SB 2816 [or HB 1219] BILL #2 The other bill to look at is HB1081/SB2793
Better Birth Mississippi - a nonprofit org which promotes the licensure of midwives. This bill creates and requires licensure for community midwives. Read it and decide if you think it should pass or not. Then ask your representatives to vote for it if you want this licensure for community midwives offering homebirth services in Mississippi or to vote against it if you do not want licensure. Please call, email, and write to your Senator and Representative today! Please take the time to share this with any and everyone you know whether they are in Mississippi or not. With the maternal health crisis growing for birthing families and many hospitals facing closure, now is not the time to outlaw or restrict community midwifery, which has been around forever and has proven time and time again to be a safe and cost effective choice for low risk families. If you are able to schedule an in person visit, which is the most preferred way of contact, and would like to have a midwife present to answer their questions, let me know and I’ll come if I can. You are also welcome to give them my phone number if they would like to call me with questions. A list of representatives to contact first can be found here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KwBv06a9ET5Lb8386tVUnSkzux7qQOEcYlXhg24l-_o/edit
9/28/2022
I Have a Dream I have a dream.
Did you know? The state of Mississippi consistently leads the country in adverse birth outcomes and C-section rates. Mississippi also boasts the lowest breastfeeding rates. Did you know? Midwifery care can change all of that. In fact, studies have shown that midwifery care can improve outcomes even if someone doesn't birth with a midwife. I think people deserve to be born in a beautiful space with people who are welcoming them in the best way possible. Midwifery care is an age-old nuance that has been around forever. It works! I have a dream that right here in the dirt of Mississippi we can create an oasis of sorts. I dream of a space where individuals can come and learn to be midwives in their own communities without the financial burden for training. I dream of a space where, if needed, people can come and birth safely without paying anything. I dream of a space where people can come for quality prenatal care at no cost to them. I dream of a location where birth workers can come for a complimentary reprieve to prevent burnout. My dream is for approximately 10 acres of land with a couple of small houses where people can give birth. They would also serve as a space for individuals to come learn the art and wisdom of practicing traditional midwifery. This would be a place where herbs can grow freely and you can learn southern herbalism. It would be a space for teaching homeopathy and have an apothecary. It would be a homestead of sorts with an herbal garden and even bees for local honey. I have a dream. Will you help this dream come true? Donations can be made via Venmo to @Toni-Hill-11. |
AuthorMusings of a Traditional Midwife in Northeast Mississippi CategoriesAll Birth Photography Birth Story HBAC Herbal Medicine Home Birth Midwife Parenting Pregnancy Training Archives
January 2023
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