Birth Matters Virginia supports evidence-based care.  Our position is that the Board of Medicine is ignoring the scientific evidence supporting the safety of homebirth (Safety of Homebirth) and, in particular the safety of home VBAC (download .pdf, Sara Fariss Krivanec).

We believe that women have the right to choices in caregivers and place of birth.  Many women cannot find a doctor or hospital which will allow them the chance to experience a vaginal delivery after a previous cesarean.  This is despite the increased risk with repeat cesareans and the high success rates of VBACs. See ICAN Cesarean Fact Sheet and CIMS Cesarean Fact Sheet (download .pdf).  The position of Birth Matters Virginia is that Certified Professional Midwives are the experts in homebirth and are the best qualified to screen their clients (download .pdf, NACPM Credentials).  Restricting access to midwives is a violation of a women’s right to evidence-based care.

 

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