VBAC with Licensed Midwives threatened!

I am getting in touch with you today to inform you about a Midwifery Rules and Regulations issue that is threatening access to Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) at home.

The rules and regulations for midwifery licensure are stalled in the Midwifery Advisory Committee of the California Medical Board because lobbyists representing the interests of obstetricians are attempting to insert a requirement that midwifery clients attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) MUST seek and have on record a physician consult regarding VBAC before a midwife may commit to providing services.  

We believe that this measure would limit the access to VBAC without increasing safety for families!

While we support integrative care, midwives are equipped to know when a physician consultation is advantageous for their clients. Many hospitals and providers in our state WILL NOT support VBAC, despite evidence that VBAC is a “safe and reasonable option” as stated by the National Institute of Health’s VBAC Consensus Statement. Medical research has shown that women are often discouraged from attempting VBAC by physicians, and we know that midwives have great VBAC success rates.  With roughly 1 in 3 women in California having given birth by cesarean, and access to supportive VBAC care being so scarce in large areas of California, the Board of CFAM feels it’s imperative to protect access to midwife attended VBAC.

We will be contacting you very soon to mobilize and put to use your enthusiasm and passion to expand midwifery access and ensure that the rules and regulations made regarding VBAC reflect the will of the consumer.  

CFAM is looking ahead to legislative and regulatory challenges midwives face. Your activism is essential to make the  changes that will benefit California families! You are CFAM!