Rebecca Westbrook Toker

Host

A Midwife's Story

Dec 17, 2013·56 visitors

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM

Cohost

Stage· 257 messages

Dec 17, 2013

Veteran midwife Mercy Eizenga, CPM, comes to Tawkers to talk about the craft and the beauty of modern midwifery. Join us as we flesh out our picture of the full range of options available to pregnant and laboring women and explore some of the legal sanctions that are threatening a profession that has historically been practiced by and for women.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:00 AM

Good evening, good evening Tawkers!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:00 AM

How's everyone?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:00 AM

Good. And how are you?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

Doing very well, thanks!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

So excited that you're here, Mercy!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“hi!”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:01 AM

Thanks. I am excited to be here.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

Also so glad to see Jordan. ;)

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

That was supposed to be a smiley.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

Well, i guess I'd better tell you all: the typos will be many.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

I am one index finger down tonight.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

But I'm still in the game!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

So, Mercy, let's get right to it:

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

Tell us about you!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

How long have you been a midwife?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:03 AM

Well, I am a licensed midwife in Texas. I am also listed in Oklahoma. I also hold my Certified Professional Midwife with the North American Registry of Midwives.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:03 AM

I have been licensed almost 6 years.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:03 AM

Oooh, that's quite a lot of certification!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:04 AM

Wow!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:04 AM

Do you practice alone or are you associated with a group?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:04 AM

I practice independently.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:05 AM

Comforts of Home Midwifery?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:05 AM

Is that you?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:05 AM

That is correct. I do have at least one apprentice as well.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:05 AM

Nice!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:05 AM

So - you had to apprentice yourself to receive certification, yes?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:06 AM

Yes. An apprenticeship with so many birth, prenatals, etc is required and a certain number of skills learned.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:07 AM

Because midwifery carries a little bit of a mystique, i'd like to talk a more specifically about 1.) what a midwife is/does and 2.) what midwife certification and training entails.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:07 AM

Ok. Sounds good.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:08 AM

For any new audience members, i'd like to encourage you to comment or ask questions. We love hearing from you! Log in if you haven't already.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:08 AM

Well, seeing a midwife can be very similar to an OB in that you see us every 4 weeks until you are 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and every week until the baby is born.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:09 AM

We also do the standard blood work, vital signs on mom and baby, etc.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:09 AM

Things that are different is that you spend an hour or more waiting in the waiting room and then get maybe 15 minutes if you are lucky with your doctor.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:11 AM

Some midwives like myself come to your home, so there is no wait. Most of us give you a full hour if needed to talk about any concerns you have, do counseling on nutrition, and get to know you and your individual needs.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:11 AM

Oh, i LOVED my midwife visits when i was pregnant. Loved them.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:11 AM

They were like social calls.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:11 AM

I always left feeling so...cared for!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:12 AM

That NEVER happened in an OB office.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:12 AM

By the time that you are done seeing a midwife, you almost become friends with them. And for repeat clients, they often become like family.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:12 AM

Midwives spend quite a lot of time educating mothers, too - on their choices and the full range of options available to them.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:13 AM

Midwives help you develop a birth plan - and then a couple of contingency plans.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:14 AM

I don't see that done in a serious way in OB/GYN offices, either.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:14 AM

Mercy had a little tech trouble.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:14 AM

He dog unplugged her modem.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“woof”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:15 AM

I guess he wanted to participate, too - or wanted attention, one.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:15 AM

Ok. I am back. Sorry about that.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:16 AM

Anyway, so midwives have the capacity to do (legally and in terms of skills) everything that an OBGYN can do - except perform surgical intervention.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:16 AM

Right?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:16 AM

Yes. Education about choices and health are an important part of my job.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:17 AM

In the midwife model of care, which is very different from the medical model of care, midwives place healthy moms at the center of the birth story.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:18 AM

So the investment of time in nutrition education, as well as other health topics, is important in keeping moms healthy so births can be healthy.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:19 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“What are some of the current issues threatening the continuing practice of midwifery?”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:19 AM

Not necessarily. There are some things that a midwife can't do legally or at least without physician oversight.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:19 AM

That's a good question, Patricia, and we will get to that very soon. ;)

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:19 AM

Legislation, OBs that feel threatened by the bottom dollar, and litigation

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:19 AM

Yes, those things.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:20 AM

What can and can't a midwife do, legally?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:22 AM

Well again each state is different. In Texas, I can't prescribe antibiotics, Rhogam for moms that are Rh -, or carry anti-hemorrhagic drugs legally without a doctor writing me standing orders.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:22 AM

I can carry oxygen and erythromiacin ointment for the baby's eyes.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:22 AM

You can perform episiotomies if necessary, also, right?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:23 AM

And epidurals?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:24 AM

I can. It almost never happens though. Most of the time it is better to let Mom tear naturally than to cut. The tear is generally smaller and heals faster. A cut is easier to sew though.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:24 AM

(Yay! Sarah Meyers is here!)

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:25 AM

No epidurals at home. That would not be safe for anyone as side effects can include lowering of baby's heart rate. If placed incorrectly, instead of numbing from the waist down can numb from waist up, causing Mom to cease breathing and her heart

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:25 AM

will stop.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:25 AM

Hi, Sarah

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:26 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“Epidurals are scary.”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:26 AM

Agreed. i mean, a spinal tap even in a hospital setting isn't really a safe move.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:26 AM

That's all information that needs to be out there for women, I believe. My major fear in birth was tearing, but after I understood that tearing isn't the worst, and what I could do to help prevent it, that fear evaporated.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:26 AM

They can be very scary. Especially if you are afraid of needles, an extra large one will double that feeling.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:27 AM

And maybe people should be better-informed about the risks of the epidurals themselves.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:27 AM

Very much so. Knowing that things like good nutrition and prenatal perineal massage can help prevent tearing is something women need to know.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:28 AM

Very empowering.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“I wish I had known that when I had my son.”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“Yes, I was told epidurals were completly safe, which is not true, for the reasons Mercy just listed.”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:28 AM

I think epidurals bear a little more discussion, since we're here.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:28 AM

Epidurals are not completely safe.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:29 AM

Unfortunately in the hospital, women are not given true informed consent. They are given a bunch of forms to read and sign, but many times they are too much in the throws of labor to be able to comprehend what they are reading, so just sign anything

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:29 AM

And they have effects on both the mother and the baby, which also isn't said very often.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:29 AM

Yes.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:29 AM

And that sounds like consent under duress to me.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:30 AM

At the beginning of pregnancy, I give my clients a notebook full of information about various tests and procedures that are common during pregnancy. We talk about them and what they are for, why they are thought to be necessary, and then the client

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:30 AM

makes an educated decision about what should be done

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“Patricia, did you have an epidural?”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“Yes”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:31 AM

There are reasonable applications for epidural use, just as there are for many of the interventions we have developed for labor and birth. But standard protocol is a stretch. "Completely safe" is a lie.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“Mine was a total nighmare story”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:32 AM

I'm sorry to hear that, Patricia. :(

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:32 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“Awww, I'm sorry to hear that. I've heard many and it breaks my heart every time.”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:32 AM

Well, speaking of, Mercy, you told me a story of what made you decide to go into midwifery.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:32 AM

Completely safe is a lie. While epidurals have their place, no intervention is completely without risk.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:33 AM

Two stories, actually, of two diametrically opposite birth situations. Would you share those with us?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

That is absolutely true. But, in the arena of birth, interventions are undertaken, often without the full knowledge and consent of the mother.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

The doctor decided which risks are to be assumed, though the consequences will be borne by the mother and the baby.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

Which is a major iequality of power.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“Without knowledge or consent... that was my situation.”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:35 AM

Again, Patricia, i am so sorry. that should not be happening in this day and age.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:36 AM

Well, one of the things that drew me towards becoming a midwife was a friend that got pregnant. She asked me to be her labor coach since I had had a baby a year and a half before that. She asked me to attend Bradley Method childbirth classes

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:36 AM

We had heard the instructor has 1 1/2 hour long labors with 10lb babies and no drugs.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:37 AM

Another friend started taking the classes as well. She asked if the Bradley instructor and I would attend her birth as doulas.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:37 AM

Doulas are birth support personnel.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:38 AM

The OB was new in town. She was a long awaited female that took advantage of the fact that everyone was hoping for a woman who would be more understanding.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:38 AM

They help the mother, help control the situation, and help make sure the mother's wishes are carried out.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:38 AM

She promised anything and everything to her patients, including approving everything in their birth plans. When it came down to the actual birth, she did everything against the birth plan.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:39 AM

That's inexcusable.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:40 AM

She decided that because my friend was a first time mom, she was going to cut an episiotomy without her consent. The Bradley instructor reminded my friend that she didn't want one and the doctor was about to cut one.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:41 AM

The doctor insisted that the baby was not coming out without one. She cut it and then turned around to fiddle with her instruments. My friend then pushed the baby out and into the trashcan sitting on the floor because no medical professionals were

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:42 AM

paying attention. The doctor later lied to cover up what happened saying that the baby had a nuchal hand which means it was up by his face.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:42 AM

No! No! That is horrifying!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:43 AM

I was the closest to the action and did not see a hand up. My research and experience since is that a nuchal hand slows pushing down, not speed it up.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:43 AM

Wow.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:43 AM

That's disgusting behavior for a "professional."

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:44 AM

It was a very horrible experience for me. The Bradley instructor had already been giving me books to research and talking to me about becoming a professional doula. This birth motivated me to go further and help women escape treatment like this.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:45 AM

Thank God! I mean, seriosuly.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:45 AM

I am so glad there are people out there who care aabout making sure women have options!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:46 AM

But you had seen other options before, anyway, right?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:46 AM

Your mother had babies with midwives, yes?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:47 AM

Oh, yes. My little brother was born at home with an OB/midwife team when I was 7yo. My sister and I got to be there and watch.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:47 AM

That's so awesome!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:48 AM

My little sister was also going to be born with the same team 2 years later. Due to a move and some crazy circumstances she ended up being born in a hospital. I got to be present for that as well.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:48 AM

So you were exposed to the full nature of birth early-on...babies didn't just come from the hospital. :)

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:49 AM

It was a great experience. It can really help with the bonding of siblings. That is one of the things that I enjoy about my job is including siblings in on prenatals and the birth.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:49 AM

That is such an incredibly sweet picture. <3

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:49 AM

That's right. I feel like that did help shape my perspective some.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:51 AM

One of my recent births, the 4yo daughter came into the bathroom where her mom was laboring in the tub. She didn't say much. She just stood there holding her mom's hand for hours with a huge smile on her face.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! How sweet!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

It's so very cool - and so very heroic that you've gone into a profession that fights for the right to treat laboring women WELL.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

But it's not easy.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:52 AM

Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

Midwives are not looked upon as equals by the medical field.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

Yes - including midwives who are giving care to women.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:53 AM

You mentioned before that you've often been received dismissively by hospital personnel when transferring women in labor.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:53 AM

They are not unfortunately. In some cases, they are not even viewed as valid professionals. I have been completely ignored during transport situations or as I am trying to hand over medical records to the appropriate person, they acted like they

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:54 AM

didn't need/want them to only hear later that my client supposedly received no prenatal care.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:54 AM

That's infuriating!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:54 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“that's so rude that they won't even take the files!”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:55 AM

It can be upsetting. I try to just suck it up and do my job. I hate when a client or her husband notices. I've also had midwife friends screamed at by doctors. Fortunately I have not had that happen so far.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:55 AM

The anti-midwifery climate in North Texas is pretty awful.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:56 AM

That's where I was when i had my son.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:56 AM

The OB LIED to me about the stats on midwife-delivered babies (which are EXCELLENT, BTW)

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:57 AM

The joke is that most of North Texas is actually pretty decent. At least compared to South Texas which is where I did my training and first 3 years of practice.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:57 AM

and the midwives spoke often of how difficult it was to try and make inroads with the doctors to form partnerships for transfers.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:57 AM

Oh, wow. i can't even imagine a worse climate!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:57 AM

It can be. But there is a lot of progress being made in the DFW area.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:58 AM

That's good to hear. :) Education prevails.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:58 AM

It is very slow going, but the hospitals are now viewing doulas with favor instead of as people with 2 heads. They are including birth balls and tubs.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:58 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“yay DFW!”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:58 AM

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:59 AM

Letting women MOVE in labor?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 2:59 AM

It depends on the hospital, doctor, circumstance, but yes we are seeing more of that.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:59 AM

We're coming up on an hour, but I'd like to touch on a few more issues if you have time.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:00 AM

I have done 4 doula births this year in addition to my midwife ones. Most of them were great experiences.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:00 AM

Sure. What is that.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:00 AM

That's excellent - because the stats for north Texas are not good. C-sections rates are INCREDIBLY high - higher than the national average, which is ove 1/3 of women.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:01 AM

Well, i'd like to talk REALLY about what the medical model means for women in labor, and what midwifery offers.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:01 AM

as an alternative.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:02 AM

http://www.mumanu.com/2013/02/14/violence-against-pregnant-and-labouring-women/

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:02 AM

This article names it: Socially Accepted Violence Against Women

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:02 AM

Well midwifery care is woman centered. It means that we take the individual needs of our clients into consideration when working out a care plan for them.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

Yes!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:03 AM

With the medical model of care, a woman's care might be more centered around what is easier/more convenient for the doctor.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

Autonomy and personal sovereignty are taken away from women routinely in hospitals.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

The decisions are made by the doctor.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:04 AM

Yes. Things like eating and drinking in labor for example. Women were denied that right back when they used to knock everyone out for labor in case they aspirated on their vomit.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:05 AM

Well, in many cases women are still not allowed to eat and drink during labor but are given IV fluids instead.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:05 AM

And in some cases, midwives are MORE experienced and educated than OBGYNs are because of deliberate lapses in education - as in the case of breech births. http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Committee_Opinions/Committee_on_Obstetric_Practi

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:05 AM

That is despite the fact that 1/3 of women have csections and a very small percentage are put under.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:05 AM

http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Committee_Opinions/Committee_on_Obstetric_Practice/Mode_of_Term_Singleton_Breech_Delivery

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:06 AM

Yes.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:06 AM

Protocol is very slow to change.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:07 AM

In the case of breech births, midwives are more able to handle them - and regard them as a variation of normal birth,

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:07 AM

In a homebirth, we encourage women to eat and drink to maintain strength and energy.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:07 AM

whereas doctors have DECIDED that the PREFERRED method for breech birth is c-section.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:08 AM

That is true. Although even in Canada, they are finding that it is NOT the preferred method.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:08 AM

Yes! You wouldn't tell a marathon runner not to eat or drink because s/he might throw up sometime during the marathon!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:08 AM

Well ACOG wilfully dismisses studies conducted outside the US.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:09 AM

That's a major problem with American Obstetrics (and medicine, as a whole) - they only look at US studies, where the data collected in the top birth countries would be very helpful to our system!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:09 AM

Here in the states though, if a baby is still breech at 36 weeks, the OB schedules the csection. There is still plenty of time to get that baby turned. http://spinningbabies.com/ gives tips on getting breech babies turned. It also has suggestions

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:10 AM

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:10 AM

for posterior and asynclitic babies.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:10 AM

And midwives can turn those babies (often). Doctors don't even try, as a rule!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“I would throw up during a marathon.”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:11 AM

I threw up uring labor!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:11 AM

It would help to look at other countries studies. Both England and Holland have found that homebirths attended by trained midwives can actually be safer than hospital births.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:12 AM

yes.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:12 AM

And the reasons are holistic, just as prenatal care should be.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:12 AM

Those countries as well as New Zealand have midwives as their primary prenatal caregivers. OBs are reserved for those that are higher risk.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:13 AM

Yes.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:13 AM

Because a pregnancy isn;t pathology!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:13 AM

Those countries also have better neonatal and maternal death rates than the US.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:14 AM

They do. As well a much better post-partum care and lower PPD rates.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:14 AM

Post-partum depression

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:14 AM

All of our technology and intervention has caused us to have higher death rates.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:15 AM

That is true. When a woman feels respected in her birth, she is going to have a better birth and a better recovery.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:15 AM

Indeed. Improper application is...inappropriate and therefore risky!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:15 AM

Yes - so why don't American OBs get it?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“A womans body knows what to do but sometimes she needs a midwife to let her know that if she has a family background that didn't teach her.”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:16 AM

Agreed.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:16 AM

And anyone going through labor the first time needs a calm, experienced presence.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:16 AM

Not blinking lights and jabbing hands and beeping and too many people.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:17 AM

Honestly I don't know. Sometimes I think it is motivated by money. Other times it is very much a doctor who is letting their ego get the best of them.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:17 AM

Wait - so doctors are PEOPLE?!?! Not demigods? ;P

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:17 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“sooooo much ego!”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:17 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“lol”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:18 AM

So what can we do, then, Mercy?

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:18 AM

How can people like us support YOU

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:18 AM

and support women?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:19 AM

Interview your care providers. Don't pick one just because your friend did. Talk to at least 3 people before deciding on someone. I have some questions to ask care providers on my blog. I am dentonmidwife on Wordpress.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:20 AM

Oooh, that's a great bir of advice!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:20 AM

bit

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:21 AM

Support legislation for midwives and homebirths. Contact your state representatives and demand change. Your local midwives will have suggestions on what you can do. I have cards to mail in. We have a day on Capitol Hill to meet with legislators.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:21 AM

Find a Citizens for Midwifery group in your state.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“oooo, I want to mail in cards!”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“do you have links to the citizens for midwifery sites?”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:22 AM

Sarah, I have some cards that you can have and give to any homebirthing friends.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:22 AM

http://texansformidwifery.org/

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:22 AM

I found a site the other day: ImprovingBirth.org

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:23 AM

It seems liek they're collecting data through surveys right now.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:23 AM

http://cfmidwifery.org/index.aspx

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:23 AM

Awesome!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:24 AM

What is the difference between CPM and CNM?

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:24 AM

Also talk to your hospitals. Tell them what you want. They will hear more what patients want vs what a doula or midwife says that a patient wants. Change comes through patients voice and dollar.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:25 AM

Hospitals are businesses, after all...

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“I'm doing the survery right now!”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:25 AM

A CPM is a Certified Professional Midwife trained just in midwifery care. A CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife trained as a nurse before becoming a midwife.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:26 AM

Some insurance will only cover CNMs, if they cover midwifery at all.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:26 AM

I haven't checked the ACA's options on ,midwifery care.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:26 AM

That is true. And that is where the consumer again needs to get involved and voice their displeasure.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:27 AM

That is something that can make choosing a non-medical option impossible for some women.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:27 AM

Midwife care, while TOTALLY worth it and much cheaper than a hospital, is, nevertheless, an expense that's usually not covered by insurance.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:28 AM

It can. But don't let a midwife's fees scare you off. Many midwives are willing to make special payment arrangements or even do barter for all or part of your care.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:28 AM

Which is SO wonderful!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:28 AM

Got it. I delivered with a CNM but still delivered in the hospital as a high-risk. She was very thorough though and I loved it.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:29 AM

That's so great that you were able to do that, Cassie!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:29 AM

CNMs can provide great options for people that wouldn't have them.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:29 AM

Yes.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:30 AM

What's interesting is hearing from CNMs who are coming out of the medical field because they wanted to do better for women. They can be very strong advocates for all midwives.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:31 AM

Okay, we've gone to an hour and a half.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:31 AM

Mercy, I can't thank you enough for being here,

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:31 AM

and for the work you do.

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:31 AM

Thanks for having me.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:31 AM

Midwives are wonderful people.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:31 AM

Thanks!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“Thank you”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:32 AM

Audience, you guys were great, too!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:32 AM

Thanks for sticking with us!

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:32 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“Agreed!”

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:32 AM

Yes. Thank you for your questions and enduring my pooch difficulties.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:33 AM

Oh - as a last note, my husband wanted to add that the education that HE received from the midwives and our birth educator made his experience so wonderful!

Mercy Eizenga LM, CPM · 3:33 AM

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:33 AM

he was also empowered, and he knew his role, instead of beig=ng shoved aside in the hospital.

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“lol”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sarah Meyers

“bye!!”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from Patricia Hirt

“God bless midwives, goodnight”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kayla Conley

“night!”

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:34 AM

Thanks again everyone!

Forum · 32

Forum· 32 comments

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Jordan BirnbaumDec 17, 2013, 2:00 AM★ Spotlighted

hi!

Jordan BirnbaumDec 17, 2013, 2:15 AM★ Spotlighted

woof

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 2:16 AM★ Spotlighted

What are some of the current issues threatening the continuing practice of midwifery?

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:25 AM

lol, thanks for the shout out becky : )

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:25 AM★ Spotlighted

Epidurals are scary.

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:26 AM

hi MErcy : )

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:27 AM★ Spotlighted

Yes, I was told epidurals were completly safe, which is not true, for the reasons Mercy just listed.

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 2:28 AM★ Spotlighted

I wish I had known that when I had my son.

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:30 AM★ Spotlighted

Patricia, did you have an epidural?

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 2:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Yes

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 2:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Mine was a total nighmare story

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Awww, I'm sorry to hear that. I've heard many and it breaks my heart every time.

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 2:34 AM★ Spotlighted

Without knowledge or consent... that was my situation.

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 2:36 AM

Well, it was 29 years ago but still should have never happened.

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:36 AM

that's really not ok at all. There's no excuse for a doctor/hospitol/nurse to do that.

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:54 AM★ Spotlighted

that's so rude that they won't even take the files!

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 2:58 AM★ Spotlighted

yay DFW!

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 3:09 AM★ Spotlighted

I would throw up during a marathon.

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 3:15 AM★ Spotlighted

A womans body knows what to do but sometimes she needs a midwife to let her know that if she has a family background that didn't teach her.

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 3:17 AM★ Spotlighted

sooooo much ego!

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 3:17 AM★ Spotlighted

lol

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 3:21 AM★ Spotlighted

oooo, I want to mail in cards!

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 3:22 AM★ Spotlighted

do you have links to the citizens for midwifery sites?

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 3:25 AM★ Spotlighted

I'm doing the survery right now!

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 3:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Thank you

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 3:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Agreed!

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 3:32 AM★ Spotlighted

lol

Sarah MeyersDec 17, 2013, 3:32 AM★ Spotlighted

bye!!

Patricia HirtDec 17, 2013, 3:33 AM★ Spotlighted

God bless midwives, goodnight

Kayla ConleyDec 17, 2013, 3:33 AM★ Spotlighted

night!