My view is influenced by the fact that I work in a nursery intensive care
unit. I see only see the small percentage of infants born, even though our
unit is a 59 bed unit. I have worked with a family who's infant did not
survive due to a birth accident, home delivery, midwife in attendence.
Everyone involved felt strongly that this infant's chances would have
dramaticly improved had emergency medical care been readily available. How
devistating this was for all.

I feel we need to continue to make the hospital delivery areas  and staff
"Family Centered".  Keep educating, mentoring one person at a time, if need
be, to create the best of both worlds. The percentage of infant/maternal
deaths that occure may be small but one is too many.

I am very much in favor of midwifes and doulas, but in an enviornment that
has emergency help readily available.

Thanks for listening,
Kim RN, IBCLC
Phoenix