Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival 2008

Under laws regulated by the state of Alabama, it is illegal for a direct-entry midwife to attend births. Licensure for these midwives was removed in 1976, when it was decided that only Certified Nurse Midwives were allowed to practice in our state. There is a strict penalty if found practicing—direct-entry midwives in our state may be charged with a misdemeanor and in other states even a felony prosecution. However, this has not deterred the practice of a few midwives and the mothers who use their services. Their underground network exists in our Birmingham community and other areas of Alabama. Although many mothers find justification in having midwife-attended births in our state, there is potential danger in hiring a midwife who lacks certification that establishes a standard of care. This film explores the differences in midwifery versus obstetric care and the perspective of the medical community on its practice, its many benefits, and alternatives mothers elect to experience natural birth. Also highlighted is a group of advocates that wishes to increase access to midwifery options and their efforts to change the current state of legislation of midwifery practice in Alabama.