FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2008

CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

Traveling, speaking - you name it! Thanks for bearing with me as I answer the call to go out into the community and share the message, the truth about birth in America, the fact that we are making a difference and that the time for change is RIGHT NOW. I have outlined some of my commitments below; know that I appreciate your support and understanding of my need to be gone from the center from time to time. My commitment to your best birth experience has not changed (nor will it) andOnidis, Amy and The Birth Place staff continue to provide the ultimate midwifery care - The JJ Way™.

STATE OF FLORIDA CELEBRATES LICENSED MIDWIVES WEEK FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH 7

Governor Charlie Crist signs proclamation observing this week as non-profit organization Florida Friends of Midwives plans events throughout the state

MIAMI, FL (October 1, 2008) – Governor Charlie Crist signed a proclamation observing October 1 through the 7 as Licensed Midwives Week in the State of Florida, upholding midwives for being, "...dedicated to the care of pregnancy and childbirth and treat[ing] each woman's pregnancy according to her unique physical and personal needs". In honor of this week, Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM), a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida, will be hosting various community events throughout the state this week and throughout the month to celebrate the more than 110 licensed midwives, currently practicing.

Midwives have a long and valued history in Florida. The state first passed legislation to license direct-entry midwives in 1931. In the 77 years since, Florida's licensed midwives have continued to tirelessly serve the families of Florida and to ensure the continued availability of safe, evidence-based birthing options for Florida's families. In 1992, Governor Lawton Chiles declared the first-ever Licensed Midwives Week. More women than ever before are seeking out licensed midwives for maternity care. According to the latest data from the Florida Council of Licensed Midwifery, births managed by Licensed Midwives in the state grew by about 5.5% from 2005 to 2006.

We wanted to make sure you are all aware of the news story that has exploded over the last 24 hours regarding the recent AMA Resolution against homebirth and Ricki's response to being named in it.

In February of this year, one month after the premiere of BOBB, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reiterated its long-standing opposition to home births. In an obtuse reference to The Business of Being Born, ACOG stated, "Childbirth decisions should not be dictated or influenced by what's fashionable, trendy, or the latest cause célèbre." If that wasn't enough, ACOG, this past weekend, introduced a resolution to the American Medical Association (AMA) at their annual meeting. The resolution commits the AMA to "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...". The reasoning for this resolution begins, "Whereas, There has been much attention in the media by celebrities having home deliveries, with recent Today Show headings such as "Ricki Lake takes on baby birthing industry: Actress and former talk show host shares her at-home delivery in new film...". (Resolution 205, click here to read).

Since when did Ricki become an evidence-based data point? What are they so afraid of?