State should recognize midwives, other care options
Thank you, Tavish Brinton, for your well stated letter to the editor (March 3). I am deeply saddened by the arrest of the North Carolina midwife. The news of her arrest has spread throughout the nation. I do not understand the fear in North Carolina for alternative health practices. Our son, who lives in Portland, Ore., is board certified both as a naturopath and in Chinese medicine. He would not be able to practice in North Carolina because the legislature has refused to recognise licensed persons who treat patients very successfully with natural remedies, rather than pharmaceuticals.
Our daughter, who lives in Washington state, gave birth at home with the capable help of a certified professional midwife with 30 yearsí experience. The midwife provided her with both prenatal and postnatal care, monitored her diet, and did all standard testing. During her long first labor, she treated her with herbal remedies but also had available oxygen and IV fluids. In addition, the midwife had an ongoing relationship with the emergency department and a GYN doctor in case of an emergency. This was an empowering experience for our daughter, her husband and their newborn son. The midwife stayed for seven hours after birth to monitor the baby and mother.
Present hospital births have a very high rate of caesarians, and I am not sure of the reason for this. When my three children were born in the 1970s, Lamaze training and birth without medications were common. Today I would do as my daughter did and seek a licensed professional midwife.
It is time for the North Carolina legislature to recognise licensed persons who deliver medical care with alternative treatments.
ó Karla Swanson
Salisbury
Mt. Ulla Elementary delivers
Mt. Ulla Elementary School is awesome! Thank you so much to the faculty and students. Even in these hard economic times, they were able to collect over 2,300 pounds of food for Rowan Helping Ministries West. With their help, we are able to keep food on the table for approximately 100 families in our community each month. You can be proud of yourself!
ó Doris Wilson
Wilson is the crisis asssistance coordinator for Rowan Helping Ministries West.