Dear Christine, Please e-mail me privately. I would be happy to discuss this with you further. Penny Lane [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] > [Original Message] > From: Chris Betzold <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Date: 1/26/2004 7:04:02 PM > Subject: Re: Birth choices > > Although this post is about midwives, let me start first by saying that some > of you may recall my earlier posts a few years ago where I did some sharing > about my second born son. We had a traumatic emergency c-section birth which > was followed by constant infections that ultimately lead to a tonsilectomy. > Needless to say I had some reservations about having a third child even though I > really wanted one. When I posted this story several of you sent some > heartwarming and kind messages ( I still have them). Well, I have some news--I am > expecting my third child in April and it is my long awaited little girl. > > Now my birth choice is a midwife. Unfortunately, as a healthcare consumer I > have met several barriers to my choice. First, I called the midwife I have > been seeing for about 5 years, only to find out she had her VBAC privledges > taken away 1 year ago. So I called another. She can only do VBACs at a hospital > that doesn't take my HMO insurance. I called another but she practices > "medwifery". I had almost given up when I found a midwife in LA (I live in Orange > county). She came well recommended by another midwife--I was estatic as I had > run out of options.Then last month the physicians she contracts with got new > malpractice insurance and they are not sure they are covered to back her up > even though the midwife has her own insurance. They have told her she can't do > hospital deliveries until it is cleared up. She may have to find another back > up physician but probably won't find one who takes my insurance. Now, I may > have to have her back up obstetrician IN LA deliver my baby (although the > midwife has agreed to doula me). My hands are tied since home birth is not an > option for a VBAC thanks to ACOG. > > I am sure that hearing of a mother who's choices are limited and even removed > in our society is not a surprise to any of you. Someone is looking into > complaining to the insurance commissioner. But, if anyone has any suggestions on > how I can fight this--let me know! > Christine Betzold NP IBCLC MSN > www.starfireinternational.net/breastfed > > In a message dated 1/25/2004 10:31:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, > [log in to unmask] writes: > BF advocates need to join forces with CNMs and direct entry midwives to help > each other. We need you to speak out and demand access to CNM care in your > communities, and then actively support it. We must work together to let women > know they have choices, and that birth can be a powerful event in their lives. > > *********************************************** > > To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail > To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) > To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet > All commands go to [log in to unmask] > > The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned > LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) > mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: > http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html