Please Help!

There is a movement going on here in Arizona, and they are attempting to get the AZ Health Department to change the laws regarding licensed midwives and moms who have had a previous cesarean birth. Currently VBAC moms, such as myself, do not have the option of using a LM (licensed midwife). This is because they have made it illegal for a LM  to attend a mom in a home birth, if she has had a previous cesarean birth. The only way for someone like me to have the option of having a home birth is to:

A) Hire a ND (Naturopathic Doctor) which there are only 2 that I know of that will do HBACs. Neither are in my neck of the woods, and what happens if I don't feel like either are the right provider for me? Is 2 options enough for anyone?

B) Travel out of the state to give birth in Utah, Nevada, California, New Mexico, or one of the many other states that do allow LMs to assist a mom in a HBAC (home birth after cesarean). But who wants to travel out of state to give birth?

C) Try to find a local midwife who is willing to put her license on the line to assist me, and go "under the radar." I know moms who have done this, and I think it's fine for them, but I don't feel comfortable with the legalities of it. I don't want to do anything illegal, and I don't want to have to hide my birth plans in fear of something bad happening to me or my provider.

D) Have an unassisted home birth.... and that's not gonna happen for me.

I'm NOT pregnant, but these would be my options if I was and I wanted a home birth. Pretty sad if you think about it. Even though I've already had a VBAC, the law is the same, and it makes no difference. With 1 in every 3 moms having a cesarean birth, this effects a whole lot of people, not just me.

The point is that ALL moms should be able to choose the provider they feel is best suited for them, whether it's an OB, ND,DO, CNM, LM, NOT the state. ALL moms should be able to decide the location they feel is right for them, whether it be in a hospital, birth center, at home etc. NOT the state.

They are trying to gather at least 3000 signatures, and there is a petition online at change.org that ANYONE over the age of 18 can sign if they would like to support the cause. You don't have to be an Arizona resident, you don't even have to live in the United States to sign. You don't have to be a woman, or have had a cesarean. ANYONE, male or female over the age of 18 can sign and support this petition. PLEASE consider signing it if you haven't already. You don't have to be a fan of home births, or VBACs, or midwives, you just have to be a fan of giving moms choices when it comes to their birth.

Below is a copy of the petition letter, which can also be viewed at change.org

PETITION LETTER

Contact AZ Dept of Health to allow licensed midwives to attend home VBAC

Greetings,

In order to protect all women choosing to birth at home with licensed midwives, we the undersigned call on the Arizona Department of Health to open the rules and regulations governing licensed midwives. The rules and regulations currently governing licensed midwives in the state of Arizona are severely out of compliance with the current standard of care in regards to pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum care. We are demanding that the licensed midwives of this state be allowed to provide adequate, complete and safe care to all women choosing to birth at home. In addition we the undersigned, respectfully request that R-9-16-108 (A) (1) be removed allowing, with informed consent, women to birth at home after a cesarean section.

Please go here to sign the petition!

Thanks for your help!