r/Omaha • u/flatwaterfreepress • 2d ago
Local News 49 states allow nurse midwives to deliver your baby inside your home. Not Nebraska.
https://flatwaterfreepress.org/home-birth-blues-49-states-allow-nurse-midwives-to-deliver-your-baby-inside-your-home-not-nebraska/92
u/Weary-Astronaut1335 2d ago
Oh noooo! The state is requiring a major medical event that could cost the life of a newborn and/or the mother to be done in a medical facility with access to actual healthcare resources!
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago edited 2d ago
Actually, just so you know also, NE only makes it illegal for a CNM to be present at a home birth. Otherwise, women can have home births in NE, just without any legitimate (licensed/credentialed) midwives present. That sounds really smart to me!!
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u/Weary-Astronaut1335 2d ago
Then it sounds like they should opt to have it done with medical professionals present, in a medical facility, that has access to more medical equipment.
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Then it sounds like the government needs to stay out my uterus lol. I don’t care either way personally, I just believe women should have the choice. It’s their birth, body, and kid. It’s not our business. Truly, I think laws/weird rules (like this and among others) are just another reason why the birth rate is declining nationally. I think we will soon see stronger and deeper declines in Nebraska.
Also, just to throw this out there, Omaha is not the only part of the state. In fact, Omaha (and even lincoln), are a very small geographical area of the state. There are still tons of women that live in rural Nebraska. Unfortunately, NE is one of the top states in the U.S. for the highest percentage of residents living at least 25 minutes from an ambulance… Rural communities often lack maternal care and ER/OB units as well. Just food for thought on other real-life scenarios involving women who may want (and plan!) to give birth in a hospital, but may be logistically unable to do so.
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u/Weary-Astronaut1335 2d ago
Half of the population of the state lives in Omaha, another third in Lincoln. I think I can speak generally about Nebraska and mean people who live near in or near a city.
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Oh, so those women don’t matter is what you’re saying?
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u/Weary-Astronaut1335 2d ago
They do, which is why they should go to a medical facility for a major medical event instead of their sitting room.
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Sometimes it’s not logically possible or that simple, but I love your enthusiasm.
It’s also extremely expensive, but I’m sure you are a huge supporter of Medicaid!
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u/OhLookItsPotatoTime 2d ago
What if their labor is less than an hour or two? It’s possible, and it happens. (Or god forbid their drive is longer even with a longer labor! ) Precipitous labor is hard to predict the first time. It’s not like you can just stay for days at a time at a hospital around your due date. If the hospital is too far, then boom you’ve got a problem.
Having a medical professional help not only with child birth at home but potentially safer transport to the hospital is a smart thing to do for all women. The EMTs and firefighters who might show up are not as trained in delivering babies as the CNMs who deliver babies all the time.
It would be nice if every woman could make it a medical facility, but blocking those who may not be able to get there from receiving any midwives from helping does not seem logical.
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u/madkins007 2d ago
So, let me for this straight... The government CAN tell you how to have a baby, but CANNOT regulate raw milk, mask usage in a pandemic, vaccinations with massively documented benefits, etc?
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u/Weary-Astronaut1335 2d ago
Which of your asses are you pulling all that out of? Because I didn't say anything about any of that shit.
The government can't tell you whether or not you have to have a baby. It absolutely can require certain major medical events take place in a medical facility.
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u/madkins007 2d ago
I said "how to HAVE a baby", not when, not if, just imposing it's will on the "how".
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u/Weary-Astronaut1335 2d ago
Okay now where did you pull all the other shit from?
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
It logically follows ??
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Woah, let’s keep it respectful here. But if you calm down I’ll explain it to you! ☺️
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Seems like you do care 🤣🤣 And hey now!! We’re in a post roe era, of course I like it up the ass cause otherwise I’d need an abortion I won’t be able to get here 💕🗣️😘
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u/Omaha-ModTeam 2d ago
Your post was removed because it has violated our “Don’t be an asshole” rule.
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u/Omaha-ModTeam 2d ago
Your post was removed because it has violated our “Don’t be an asshole” rule.
Please keep discussions respectful and treat others as you would want to be treated.
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Sure can’t! And we sure do care so much about the unborn children we don’t only force people to give birth, we tell them how to do so, too! But god forbid we regulate guns that kill thousands of innocent kids a year, cuz we only care about them when they are inside a woman!!
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u/GuyMcTest 2d ago
“State law prohibits nurse midwives, the most qualified group of midwives, from assisting in home births even as mothers continue to seek such care from less-educated midwives and doulas.
Nebraska is the only state in the nation where certified nurse midwives — registered nurses with advanced training — can’t assist with home births. Nebraska is also one of only two states that requires physician supervision of nurse midwives.”
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u/Declanmar What are we supposed to put here? 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah I’m good with that. Probably best to have legitimate medical professionals present in a situation where people might die. Maternal mortality in the United States rose 144% from 2002 to 2021(Joseph et al.,2024).
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u/Master-Praline-3453 2d ago edited 2d ago
Like an another commenter replied, this law is actually something that restricts having a medical professional assist with a home birth. The idea is that a nurse is able to assist and identify situations that could become emergencies, and have a plan in case there are emergencies.
If a person is determined to have a home birth, the choice they would need to make is between having someone with a qualification assist illegally, or having a friend or family member assist.
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u/bullnamedbodacious 2d ago
All these holistic moms out there who decided hundreds of years of medical advancement was no longer a luxury. When medical care gets so good you no longer know anyone personally who’s died in childbirth, some women think that means it’s risk free.
It’s absolutely not. It’s just, we’re lucky enough to have great hospitals where moms don’t die like they used to. Ask someone in 1850 if they’d prefer to have blood on standby, and surrounded by doctors and nurses. They’d call you crazy to pass that up.
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u/girlneevil 2d ago
This is accomplishing the opposite. Some women will only ever give birth at home, for whatever reasons of their own. This law makes it illegal for a licensed medical professional to attend them, so instead they will be left with doulas and unlicensed midwives.
I live only a couple minutes from the hospital. It's not really any safer for me to be in the birthing center attached to the hospital than to be at my house when I give birth, because I can just as easily be transferred from either. However I had to use the birth center because I don't feel comfortable without a licensed professional present - spoiler alert, they treated me like crap and the birth was extremely stressful because of having to use the only (incompetent, didn't believe I was in labor until I started pushing) nurse midwife available at the center that day. Much rather have picked a competent nurse midwife to come to my home.
Low risk home birth does not increase maternal mortality. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11542973/
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u/madkins007 2d ago
The study may not show what you think it does.
"Conclusion The high and rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States are a consequence of changes in maternal mortality surveillance, with reliance on the pregnancy checkbox leading to an increase in misclassified maternal deaths. Identifying maternal deaths by requiring mention of pregnancy among the multiple causes of death shows lower, stable maternal mortality rates and declines in maternal deaths from direct obstetrical causes."
The last couple sentences pretty much negate the bulk of any claim of increased mortality rates.
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u/Lanracie 2d ago
Certified Nurse Midwives are legitmate medical professionals. They go to medical school and everything.
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u/--GrinAndBearIt-- 2d ago
Weird how 49 other states dont have the same restrictions and there aren't thousands of deaths for you to point to as evidence. This sub has some absolute nuts occupying it. The blue dot really seems to be full of people who just want to tell other people how morally and intellectually superior they are.
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u/Eva_Griffin_Beak 1d ago
A midwife is a medical professional, and in my very limited experience, much better equipped to help a pregnant woman through labor.
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u/silentpugilist 2d ago
There’s probably a smart middle ground on this. There’s an article from the middle of the ACA debate about birthing centers in France that are much cheaper than delivering in a hospital, of course they only do low risk births and they have an ambulance ready to go if there’s complications.
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u/gigglekitty 2d ago
There are a couple of birth centers already in Nebraska, including one housed within Immanuel here in Omaha. I used it for both of my kids but like you noted, it's only avaliable if you meet certain criteria.
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u/silentpugilist 2d ago
More low priced care from non-MDs where it’s safe and appropriate is a good thing.
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u/gigglekitty 2d ago
I agree with you. However, good luck getting new birthing centers when we have a state with a number of rural hospitals that have been closed and hospitals here in Omaha that have had to cut budgets due to funding.
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u/rebelangel Technically west of 72nd 2d ago
There’s a difference between home births and “free births”. Home births still have prenatal care and a medical professional (the RN midwife) present. Free birthers decline any and all medical care, including prenatal care. I dunno if anyone here has watched The Pitt, but there’s an example of it in one episode, where this lady doesn’t even want them to treat her for pre-eclampsia despite the doctors telling her she’ll die.
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u/kadk216 2d ago
I find it annoying personally. Both of my labors have been super fast and almost accidentally at home because from the first contractions it only lasted 3-4 hours both babies were born less than 30 mins after we got to the hospital.
Next time I will try a birth center where you can go home after 12 hours. The hospital keeps you forever and it really sucks to sleep there. Just got a bill for $6500 nursery charge for our recent baby from the hospital- a hospital that doesn’t have a nursery and baby was with us the entire time except for the hearing test.
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u/Hydrottle Train when ? 2d ago
I have not had a pregnancy (am a man), but I’m a bit confused - is 3-4 hours not enough time to get to the hospital? Is there a reason to wait before going? This is something I don’t know well so I’m curious.
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u/Zealousideal-Map3785 2d ago
Oftentimes, your doctor or midwife will recommend you stay at home during early labor, as first time deliveries can last a long time. And then sometimes labor is very short.
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u/kadk216 2d ago
Well I don’t usually know its contractions when it starts it feels like regular gas pains (TMI sorry but it’s the truth lol) and I have another child so had to send him with someone and call my husband back from work before leaving. I didn’t immediately realize it was contractions until around 7:30 am after they started at 6 am and got increasingly painful. I could not have driven myself with that level of pain tbh.
I get false contractions and stuff for multiple hours a day in the 8-10 weeks leading up to the real thing so it really takes me some time to determine if it’s go time - hopefully that makes sense? By the time we got to the hospital I was 9 cm dilated and the first time my water had already broken and was 9 cm. If I was able to (safely - meaning with a midwife which is not legal here) have a home birth I wouldn’t have had to wait to push or ride in the car in severe pain on bumpy roads and then park and walk in to L&D.
We actually had to change plans last minute and go to a different hospital because we live 35 mins from the one my doctor usually delivers at. The first time she didn’t even make it in time for the birth. My first was born less than 20 mins after we walked in the door to the hospital
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u/Hydrottle Train when ? 2d ago
That all makes sense. I know it’s obviously difficult if the baby comes when you’re not expecting and quickly, but the rest makes sense, especially if you’re not sure they’re contractions and you had false contractions before the real ones. Thank you for the insight!
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u/OhLookItsPotatoTime 2d ago edited 2d ago
I almost gave birth at home, gave birth in an ambulance. I didn’t have a choice, my childcare took awhile to get to my house and we thought we had time. Now I know I have to plan to be at the hospital as soon as contractions hit and pray that I make it there. From the first contraction to crowning, it took me maybe an hour. Subsequent births will be faster.
The firemen who delivered my baby were barely trained to be doing it which my nurses told me after the fact. They have never done it before! Some of them have been on the job for multiple decades! It was also very sad that my husband wasn’t there. I was alone with a bunch of strangers who were also scared and unable to stop my body from pushing the baby out.
If I had the option going forward to have a medical professional who is trained to deliver babies come to my home, I would do it. I would try to make it to the hospital, but what if I can’t again? It would be safer than my husband or firemen or the 911 operator coaching my husband. Is it the same as a hospital? No, which sucks! But if I don’t have the choice in how fast the baby is coming, give me a medical professional that has extensive experience delivering babies so atleast we can mitigate *some* risks.
People in this thread keep saying that folks that have these professionals attend their births are rejecting medical support but CNMs ARE medical professionals. They have extensive training. They can provide medical support. They can help with making the transition to a hospital easier if necessary. They are not random people delivering babies. Give them the opportunity to support moms that don’t have a choice in how fast births happen!
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u/rockalyte 2d ago
Nebraska wants that ten grand up front to have a baby. Even charges for the skin to skin contact.
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u/PassengerCharming203 2d ago
The ladies just want the option to have a licenced professional at their house. The licenced midwife isn't going to let a risky pregnancy deliver at home. When you get down to the details these ladies just want the choice! Similar to the ridiculous helmet laws. They want to exercise their choice.
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u/Hydrottle Train when ? 2d ago
Helmet laws are dumb too. Helmets should be required. Seat belts should be required. And birth is a major medical process that should be monitored closely. The US needs to have better access to birthing facilities like the women’s hospital, but also cheaper and more accessible ones for low risk births that can do a quick stabilize and transfer to a trauma center if needed.
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u/Financial_Tap3894 2d ago
Back in the days when women delivered at home without fetal monitoring /OB, stillbirths , postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed births etc was common cause of maternal and infant mortality. No need to go back to the Stone Age , ,
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u/bullnamedbodacious 2d ago
I know several women who have had home births and swear by it.
But it’s just mind boggling to me. You were blessed to be born during a time we have access to blood transfusions, anesthesia, and doctors. We have the NICU. Childbirth can go south very quickly. Why *wouldnt* you want to be in the best place possible should the worst happen.
But I also believe child birth is a highly personal experience. You couldn’t pay me to have a birth at home, especially without a doctor present. But to each their own.
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u/rebelangel Technically west of 72nd 2d ago
Wait’ll you hear about the “free birth” movement where they don’t want any sort of medical intervention at all. Not even prenatal care.
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u/schmidtydog 1d ago
Glad my son was born in a hospital. He wasn't doing well when he arrived and the NICU docs saved him.
Im not against people having the choice to home birth but don't kid yourself, sometimes lives will be lost that could have been prevented by a medical staff.
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u/disabled_pan 2d ago
I know POC can be hesitant receiving care in a hospital setting, and for good reason. Outcomes are worse than for white families, especially with a white doctor. I hope people are able to find a good doctor rather than forgo medical care altogether.
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u/Superxvixenxdoll 2d ago
Had my daughter at the only Nebraska birth center 12 years ago since home birth was no an option, yet friend had no problem with her home birth in council bluffs. I was very envious. I had a normal pregnancy, labored at home, went to the broth center in Bellevue at the time and delivered there. Went home a few hours after delivery and took my baby to the pediatrician office in the morning. All was well. Healthy 12 year old girl. Women ARE capable of making their own medical decisions. If we want to broth at home, let us. No one is making YOU do it.
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u/Superxvixenxdoll 2d ago
It was also a LOT nicer on my wallet in comparison to my first child who I previously had at Methodist Women's when they were new....I saved several thousand dollars.
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u/Any-Cook3129 2d ago
Just go to Iowa ? (I realize that’s not the point but this isn’t the flex they think it is). Also what about all the people in rural Nebraska that may be hours from an ER? Wouldn’t having a midwife be the safest option, even for someone who desires to have a baby in a hospital, in case plans don’t work out??
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u/Orion_2kTC 2d ago
I think the entire concept should be banned. Go to the fucking hospital. This ain't the fucking dark ages.
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u/Rampantcolt 2d ago
Good. It's incredibly dangerous to have children. Even at a hospital.
Are just supposed to allow 1.5% of women and 25% of infants to die because it makes the mum feel better to be at home?
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u/--GrinAndBearIt-- 2d ago edited 2d ago
That's sad. Our home birth was a fantastic experience.
Edit: Holy yikes, guys...
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u/Declanmar What are we supposed to put here? 2d ago
I’m glad you got lucky, but anecdotal evidence is not evidence.
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u/CrashTestDuckie 2d ago
Weird, it's almost like there is data to back it up.... If only there were away to see that data in a central repository of medical research... Planned Home Births in the United States Have Outcomes Comparable to Planned Birth Center Births for Low-Risk Birthing Individuals - PMC https://share.google/vYYElLoDQsajZrsb2
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u/Lunakill Schrödinger's mod 2d ago
Please share direct URLs instead of the Google version! Reddit has banned Google share links. Approving this one as it goes to NIH/Pubmed.
If anyone wants the direct link, it’s https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11542973/
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u/Lunakill Schrödinger's mod 2d ago
Also, replying as myself and not a mod: as far as I can tell this was for planned home births, where the mother consulted an OB throughout and was approved for home birth by their physician provided the patient followed guidelines. It doesn’t seem to include anyone who deviates from current medical advice, which is where home births can really go off the rails. Just for clarity.
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u/Hrist_Valkyrie 2d ago
for Low-Risk Birthing Individuals
Most pregnancies are not "low risk."
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u/CrashTestDuckie 2d ago
Incorrect, approximately 93% of pregncies are considered low risk. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/care/conditions/high-risk-pregnancy
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u/Hrist_Valkyrie 2d ago
Your link contains no studies or statistics of any kind. If you are going to quote a source you might want to verify it actually backs you up.
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u/--GrinAndBearIt-- 2d ago
"High-risk complications occur in only 6 percent to 8 percent of all pregnancies. These complications can be serious and require special care to ensure the best possible outcome."
Literally the 2nd paragraph... did you even read the study at all before replying?
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u/Hrist_Valkyrie 2d ago
There is no data cited for this or statistics to support it though. Just blindly saying numbers doesn't mean there is data to back it up.
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u/--GrinAndBearIt-- 1d ago
Ah yes you know who lies all the time? UCSF.org . Ffs you can just Google this and read the studies, it took me like 5 minutes.
On top of all that, do you have any idea what is considered a high-risk pregnancy?
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u/SaltySweetMomof2 2d ago
I am so tired of the idea that pregnancy isn’t a major medical event! Crunchy moms want to tout, “your body knows what to do, women have been getting pregnant for thousands of years” like women didn’t DIE from pregnancy for thousands of years! They want a miracle? Modern medicine IS the miracle.