Lesson #2 - Legality of Home Birth: Difficult Choices for Parents

  • Home birth is a legal choice for parents. However, parents need to be informed about the ramifications of their choice to birth at home. Because Alabama does not provide licensed caregivers to assist home birth families, our culture does not recognize out of hospital birth as a valid choice. Insurance policies refuse to cover unlicensed caregivers, and often will not even pay for licensed midwives practicing in legal states. Authorities hostile to alternative care often perceive this choice as parental irresponsibility. Many times, hospital staff members are not receptive to home birth transfers and families are treated poorly. Parents should also consider reactions by family members when choosing out-of-hospital midwifery care.

  • What are the choices for caregiver? Parents seeking home birth are the only ones who can evaluate their circumstances and choose the best option for the birth of their child. Some feel compelled to travel out-of-state to birth with a licensed midwife. For others, the trek out-of-state may not be practical. Some parents consciously secure the services of an independent midwife and choose to birth in their homes. Still, other families in Alabama find that there are simply no midwives available in their area and choose unassisted birth.

Next ---> Lesson #3 - Legality of Midwifery: Difficult Choices for Midwives
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