The AMA Does It Again

In a terrifying move for anyone who is planning to have children biologically or is on their way to do so now, the AMA has passed a resolution that calls for governments to BAN home birth. This is notwithstanding the fact that it is safe, secure and has been done for millenniums. The lengths these people will go to in order to ensure a monopoly over all things health-related is mind-boggling.

You can read the full text of the resolution here. It even references Rikki Lake's amazing documentary, The Business of Being Born which I adored.

But the scary part can be seen in the last sentences of the document:

RESOLVED, That our AMA develop model legislation in support of the concept that the safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital complex, that meets standards jointly outlined by the AAP and ACOG, or in a freestanding birthing center that meets the standards of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association of Birth Centers.” (Directive to Take Action)

Ughhhhhhh. No, dear sirs (and I use that term purposefully), the safest setting for birth is not in a hospital or a birthing center within a hospital complex. In fact, women have been safely having babies at home forever. The AMA just had to stick their regulation where it doesn't belong.

So if you want to battle back, check out one of these resources:
The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services
American Association of Birth Centers
Citizens for Midwifery
The Big Push for Midwives

Thanks to Miriam at Feministing for bringing this to my attention.

And American Medical Association--you are on the list.