Film,
panel consider midwives as option for childbirth
By Cameron Salony
February 29, 2008 | The Utah State University Women's
Center hosted a cultural event featuring Ricki Lake's
film The Business of Being Born on Wednesday
night in the Taggart Student Center auditorium.
The film examines the way American women have babies
and asks the question: should birth be viewed as a natural
life process, or a potentially catastrophic medical
emergency?
The film said 8 percent of births in the United States
are midwife-assisted births compared with 70 percent
in other developed nations. It also asserted that the
United States has the second worst newborn fatality
rate in the developed world.
According to a Utah Legislature report issued June
30, 2007, there were 16 licensed direct-entry midwives
in Utah who oversaw the pregnancies of 240 women.
Preceding the film the audience fielded questions
to a panel of midwives, nurses, childbirth educators
and mothers. The panel addressed issues concerning the
benefits of homebirth, the body's natural processes,
Caesarian section and overuse of ultrasounds.
"Birth works and [women] can have birth without a
machine," Adrianna Costello said. Costello works as
a childbirth educator and doula at the Birth and Family
Place in Holladay.
"Women need to learn that the body is a wonderful
thing and not a burden to be endured," Becky Mcinnis
who is a certified nurse midwife.
Mcinnis also lobbies on midwife issues at the Capitol
building in Salt Lake City. "I don't believe a bill
should define the natural processes of women, she said,
"Whether women are making the right choices or not,
the choice is still theirs."
The Utah Legislature last discussed potential amendments
to licensed direct entry midwife regulations Feb. 18.
Since 1974, the Women's Center has provided services
to women of all cultures, races, sexual orientations,
and ages. The USUWC acknowledges women's achievements,
and advocates a climate that promotes social justice.
Women's Center services include private consultation,
presentations, workshops, support groups, and cultural
events that examine issues related to gender.
For more information, visit the
Women's Center Web page or call 435-797-1728.
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