Truman Index-Midwife bill awaits delivery

Midwife bill awaits delivery - Index - News

A Highlight:

Missouri is one of seven states that still outlaws midwives. Dougherty said Missouri's method of outlawing the practice is unusual in that midwifery is included in the state's definition of medicine.

"In no way is it prohibited for a husband or a friend or a neighbor, someone who doesn't have the skills or experience to catch babies," Dougherty said. "But under current state law, once you have attained enough training and education that someone could call you a midwife, all of a sudden it becomes illegal, and that doesn't make sense."

Dougherty said Missouri outlawed the practice in the 1950s during a push to move all birthing into hospitals.

"It wasn't because of safety reasons," Dougherty said. "It was just because people in power had the power to make these laws."

Dougherty said that during a resurgence in popularity of midwifery during the 1970s, most states rescinded their restrictions.

"Women and families were taking a stand and saying, 'Wait a second, where did this right go? I have a right to birth my baby at home with a midwife,'" Dougherty said. "At that time, most states repealed those old laws, realizing that they probably shouldn't have been passed in the first place."