Women have been giving birth in the sanctuary of their homes since the beginning of time, until a fad in the 1930s caused birthing in hospitals to become a standard of safety. Home birth, as it is now termed, is now considered high risk and has even become outlawed in some states such as Alabama and Georgia. The right to give birth in the manor seen most fit to an expectant mother has been taken from them and placed in the hands of the law. However, the law does not fight against the mother's choice to birth at home, but rather the ability for midwives to practice legally. In fact, Certified Professional Midwives (aka CPM's) can only practice legally in 28 of the 50 states.
With access to a professional being limited, women across the United States are being forced to birth in hospitals. With an incredibly high cesarean rate and an even more devastating infant and maternal mortality rate, it is imperative that we rethink our stance on birthing at home. Whereas it is important that we consider the accessibility of emergency care when necessary, when it comes to birth, a woman should still have the right to choose the place and how she gives new life. Restricting women the access to professional, at-home birthing care is limiting women on how they give birth, often resulting in overmedicated, traumatic, and unnatural birthing experiences. Birth is a passage, and women have the right to that choice.
