While midwifery legislation has been advancing through the WI Assembly and Senate during the past month [AB 709 - www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/da...st.html, a criminal case against a Milwaukee midwife has been brewing behind the scenes. An article in today's Journal Sentinal is sure to ignite public controversy over the topic of midwifery, and likewise within the midwifery/home birth community where sentiments surrounding the "legalization" of midwifery are typically divided.

This reminds me of the first year of legislative activities here in VA that eventually led to the licensure of CPMs this year (licence applications will be available in January). On the day that we introduced our first piece of legislation, a maternal death subsequent to a midwife attended home birth in 1997 made statewide headlines, and ultimately the silver lining of that cloud helped to make the case for licensing CPMs. A similar outcome is indicated in the current WI situation. If VA is any example, the midwifery community will have a lot of "growing up" to do in the process.

here's the first of the public revelations:

Baby's death brings investigation
www.jsonline.com/news/wauk...376793.asp

and here's an appeal for the midwife's legal defense fund that began to circulate on various yahoo groups a couple of days ago:

Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 21:46:24 -0000
Subject: {RMA} WI midwife needs our help

"I am writing this email to ask you for your assistance. My preceptor (Sr. midwife) Helen is facing charges related to a fetal demise. It looks as if her arrest is imminent. She is a wonderful person who needs help with legal fees, and care for her family. Please if you can even spare a dollar or two she and I would be grateful. If you can spare more that would be great!!!!!!!! All donations are tax deductible.
Please feel free to email me if you have questions. Please understand though that I can not give anymore information about the case. My email is jenn_a_g@yahoo.com and my phone number is [deleted].

To send money via paypal please use this doulas@ticon.net

The address to mail checks to is
CARE Network, c/o Coral Slavin,
N7 W7063 Oak St.
Cedarburg, WI 53012.

Please make checks payable to CARE Network if you would like to use your donation as a tax deduction. Lets all gather together and help Helen with her legal fees. Also PLEASE keep the baby's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you very very much!!!!!
Jennifer "