mama-to-1 of Somewhere, ME Mr. Munster, obviously you don't know what you are talking about as you mention medications that midwives do not use at home. Midwives use local anesthetics to numb an area to be sutured (a tear). This is only done after birth, and has nothing to do with a woman being "in distress." Local anesthetics used for suturing are very different from anesthesia used during labor. Pain medications for birth are not used at home. Because of their significant risks and side effects, hospitals are the only appropriate setting for their use.

Also, midwives do not use oxycontin, which is an addictive pain killer and a restricted substance. The medication I believe you mean to refer to is oxytocin, which is not a restricted substance and which midwives may administer if a mother has significant bleeding after birth, and can be life-saving. This is also not to be confused with oxytocin (or pitocin) used to speed up labor, which can only safely be done in a hospital due to the significant risks.report abuse

Hermann Munster of AmishLand, PA If there already is a national licence for nurse midwives, why is the good legislator pushing thru a watered-down midwife bill?

That some unrelated and non-medical licensing board does not oppose the current licensure attempt is of no relevance. What is of relevance is that existing state (and federal) law carries restrictions as to the dispensing of medications - particularly anesthetics and oxycontin. If a birthing woman is in such distress that these strong medications need to be administered, then it's time to call in an M.D. instead of allowing someone who has just a few hours of "training" provide these drugs.

Trained anesthetics often talk about the difficulties and uncertainties of their specialty. These are men and women who have gone thru undergraduate programs followed by years of education in med school, and specialized training as interns and residents. Many undertake additional education and training to achieve board certification. Yet, the good legislator believes a few hours of "training" is sufficient for a small group of not-quite nurse midwives in Maine.

Her approach is ill-conceived and highly subject the filing of lawsuits. But she'll never have to pay for her mistaken approach to the subject.report abuse

mikes of waterville, ME http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7259392.stm

Monday, 25 February 2008, 13:25 GMT BBC news

“And the wide-ranging Healthcare Commission review found many maternity units in England were failing to provide top quality care.
One in four women reported being left alone during labour or shortly after giving birth at a time that worried them.

And 43% of women said they were not given a choice of having their baby at home, as national guidelines suggest. “

Its the next phase of Maine Care.report abuse