Alabama Licenses Midwives for the First Time in Decades
For the first time in more than 40 years, Alabama has licensed professional midwives. Last week, the newly formed Alabama State Board of Midwifery issued credentials to five women, who can now legally attend home births in the state. But some say there is more work to be done.
Layla Brown, a midwife from Fultondale, is one of five women who recently received a license to practice in Alabama. Before that, Brown says she still attended home births, but it was risky. Without a license, she could have faced criminal charges for delivering babies at home.
“I’m happy because I don’t have to be fearful of going in to a hospital when I need care,” Brown says. “I can go in and say, ‘Hey I’m legitimate. I’m a licensed midwife,’ and hopefully be treated with respect.”
The new licensing process comes after years of lobbying and regulation passed in 2017 that laid the groundwork for midwives to legally attend home births. To gain the credential, a midwife must be a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and buy liability insurance. The law also limits the scope of what midwives can do and the types of pregnancies they can attend. Brown says it is not perfect.
“Yes, celebrate that we have licensed midwives in Alabama,” Brown says, “but know that this law, the way it’s written, is not in the best interest of mothers and babies, and we’re going to have to go back to the table.”
Licenses are administered by the Alabama State Board of Midwifery. The group plans to meet May 3rd to review the next round of licensing applications.
On ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ Taylor Swift feels love’s glow and the spotlight’s glare
On her 12th album, the most dominant pop star of our era makes a spectacle of herself in full flower, in love and holding the music industry in the palm of her hand.
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
Drugmaker Evita Solutions announced on its website that the Food and Drug Administration signed off on its low-cost form of the pill, which is approved to end pregnancies through 10 weeks.
As the shutdown drags on, the threat of permanent cuts is mired in politics
President Trump is meeting with his budget director, Russ Vought, about what additional cuts to make during the shutdown, and the president says his targets are partisan.
Pope Leo’s religious community is drawing renewed interest. Here’s what makes it unique
"Before, we might get two or three discerners. But after Pope Leo, I now have 15. It's unbelievable."
The CDC still hasn’t issued COVID vaccine guidelines, leaving access in limbo
Access to the COVID-19 vaccines remains difficult because of an unusual and unexplained delay by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in accepting recommendations from its advisers.
National Guard presence may deter crime, but experts warn of the long-term costs
As President Trump ramps up efforts to send federal officers and troops into cities, criminologists are watching closely. Are the feds doing this in a smart way?
