All ten of these lovely children were born at home. And until this week, anytime we chose to employ a trained midwife to assist us, we were involving a possible felon in our birth. Missouri Law stated that "only a licensed physician may practice midwifery", and all others who assisted women in birth regularly were guilty of a felony offense.
During the 2007 Legislative Session, Language passed and was signed by Governor Matt Blunt that rectified this situation. However, the Medical Lobby immediately challenged the constitutionality of the language, and an injunction was enforced. This week the Missouri State Supreme Court ruled in Missouri State Medical Association, et al., Respondents v. State of Missouri and Missouri Midwives Association, et al., that the Medical Association had no standing. The majority opinion was authored by Judge Stephen Limbaugh (Rush's brother).
The bottom line is that Certified Professional MIDWIVES are LEGAL IN MISSOURI for the first time since 1956 ! ! ! Our thanks to the many extremely dedicated, brilliant people who have worked unselfishly for the last 20 years to see this come to pass. You are very dear to us.
To defend the "tocology"* language at the Supreme Court level has been very costly. Anyone wishing to help pay the midwives $33,000 bill from the lawyers can donate at www.FreeTheMidwives.org .
*Tocology is the science of obstetrics or midwifery for those who may not be aware of this term. It is a very special word to those of us who have lobbied long and hard for legal midwives. I can explain if you are interested.
2 comments:
That is very exciting news! Our daughter will be getting married next year and they plan to move to Missouri. Our family would like to eventually move there too.
Coming from Florida, where we have good midwifery laws, this was one issue that concerned us. Praise the Lord!!!
YAY! We are so happy!
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