Three events planned for Internation Midwives Day and International Doula Month

May is here! Not only do we honor our our mothers but we also acknowledge and thank the midwives and doulas who nurture women with care and support during and after pregnancy and birth. The entire month of May is International Doula Month and May 5 is International Midwives Day. If your life or the [...]

Mandatory Licensure for Midwives?

Oregon State Represenative Mitch Greenlick has introduced House Bill 2380 to the Health Care Committee. 2380 requires all direct-entry midwives in the state to become licensed providers. If passed, this bill would replace Oregon’s voluntary licensure program for direct-entry midwifery. Bill 2380 contains an emergency clause making it effective upon signature by the Governor meaning [...]

Lane Co’s extends prenatal to women ineligible for OHP due to immigration status

Following six other counties, Lane County is implementing Oregon’s Prenatal Expansion Program to provide Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Plus Prenatal services to pregnant women who have “Citizen / Alien Waived Emergency Medical” (CAWEM) coverage. Expansion of CAWEM coverage to include prenatal care is made possible through the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that allows [...]

Latest on Midwifery Board rules / Shout Out to Midwifery Supporters

Latest development in OARS The Oregon Board of Direct Entry Midwifery is near the end of a yearlong process of revising the Oregon Administrative Rules (draft rules) that govern licensed direct-entry midwives (LDMs). With a few exceptions, LDMs are the sole providers of home birth services in Oregon. In September, draft rules developed by the [...]

New rules for the Oregon Midwifery Board?

Last month, the Oregon Board of Direct Entry Midwifery (Midwifery Board) voted seven to one to submit revised administrative rules to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA). This is the latest development in a nearly ten-month process of literature review, expert testimony and public comment. Not altered since 1993, the administrative rules regulate licensed direct [...]

Congrats to Friends’ Katharine Gallagher and Midwife Cindy Hunter for Healthy Babies Awards!

Originally posted on Lane County Friends of the Birth Center‘s blog… Congratulations to the Lane County Healthy Babies 2010 Award Recipients recognized at yesterday’s second-annual reception! Awards were given to an individual, a practitioner and an organization in acknowledgement of their contributions toward reducing fetal-infant mortality and increasing community health in Lane County. Former KEZI [...]

Access to Licensed Direct Entry Midwives

Two important events affecting ongoing access to Oregon’s licensed direct-entry midwives happened in September. #1: PEBB defers to Midwifery Licensing Board on coverage The Public Employee Benefit Board will continue to follow guidelines established by the Board of Direct Entry Midwifery when determining coverage for members accessing maternity care with licensed direct-entry midwives. The Lund [...]

New PeaceHealth Nurse Midwifery Birth Center Opens

On Saturday, PeaceHealth hosted a grand opening of the new Nurse Midwifery Birth Center! More than 200 community supporters joined in the celebration. The grand opening marks the re-opening of the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center practice in a new freestanding facility on the Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend campus. The practice began more than 20 [...]

“The Breast Whisperer”

The New York Times recently published “The Breast Whisperer,” profiling an in-demand Brooklyn lactation consultant and the women she serves. Despite a lackluster title, the piece does a nice job highlighting the frequently overlooked and woefully unanticipated demand women have for education and support when learning “the art” of breastfeeding. This is especially true of [...]