“DOES HOME BIRTH EMPOWER WOMEN, OR IMPERIL THEM AND THEIR BABIES?” ERIN E. TRACY, MD, MPH (AUGUST)
As experts in “normal” birth and home birth, we are concerned about the disregard for fact and evidence that is apparent in Dr. Tracy’s article, and we feel it is our duty to clarify the incorrect statements, offering published scientific evidence to back up our assertions.
We would like to make three main points:
- Important data were overlooked
Numerous scientific articles published over the past 20 years have documented the safety of home birth. One of the most notable scientific articles on the subject was authored by de Jonge and colleagues.1 It includes retrospective data on more than 500,000 women and found no difference in the rate of perinatal mortality or morbidity between planned home birth and planned hospital birth. - CPM credential requires testing, training
In regard to the training required to attain the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) designation, it is necessary to pass a professional licensing exam in addition to undergoing training and credentialing to offer expert and evidence-based out-of-hospital care. The CPM credential requires the midwife to master clinical and didactic skills, demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and skills, and perform competently under supervision. - ACOG should work for women’s empowerment, too
Dr. Tracy says that women who choose home birth “because of impassioned rhetoric about empowerment and choice may be deeply disappointed if it goes awry and transfer to the hospital is needed.” According to Johnson and Daviss,2 only 12% of women who planned a home birth had to be transferred to a hospital. This leaves 88% of women impassioned and empowered by their safe choice. It also is worth noting that women who transfer to the hospital from a planned home birth in the United States often face a hostile reception from hospital personnel.3,4 Perhaps their disappointment emerges from this disrespectful treatment. We are also curious as to why empowerment and choice are not considered indicators of quality of care for a professional organization—ACOG—that works to “serve as a strong advocate for quality health care for women.”
Geradine Simkins, RN, CNM, MSN
Maria Iorillo, CPM
Christy Tashjian, CPM
Angy Nixon, CNM, MSN
Audra Phillips, CPM
Pam Dyer Stewart, CPM
Regina Willette, CM
Tamara Taitt, DEM, PhDc
Sherry DeVries, CPM, CNM
Elizabeth Moore, CPM
Colleen Donovan-Batson, CNM
Dinah Warranch, CNM
Cristina Alonso, DEM
Michelle Peixnho, CPM
Midwives Alliance of North America