Unified Statement from Georgia Midwives: A Call to Action for Licensing and Decriminalization

We, the undersigned midwives, representing a diverse range of pathways including Traditional Midwifery, Certified Professional Midwifery, and Certified Nurse Midwifery, have come together in solidarity to express our collective voice and advocate for a crucial change in Georgia's policies. As Georgia ranks third in the nation with the highest maternal mortality rate,  our shared goal is to submit a bill to Georgia’s legislature that will create a pathway to licensure for all midwives who attend community births, while decriminalizing those that do not seek licensure, thereby addressing the state's disturbing maternal health and perinatal crisis.

Currently, Georgia maintains restrictive midwifery policies that prohibit trained midwives from attending community births. The March of Dimes’ data showing that 61% of women in rural areas across Georgia live more than 30 minutes from a birthing hospital coupled with a severe shortage of obstetrical providers in the state highlights the urgent need for policy reform to reinstate midwifery licensing. This reform is a vital step in expanding access to quality care, improving health outcomes, and reducing the risk of maternal mortality in our state.

Furthermore, we demand that the practice of midwifery be decriminalized in Georgia. Midwifery has been an integral part of our state's healthcare landscape for centuries, long before licensure was an option. Despite this, many midwives continue to face the threat of prosecution for providing essential care to families. We assert that midwives have consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, resulting in remarkable health outcomes, and we should be able to practice our profession without fear of persecution.

The proposed Georgia Licensed Midwife Bill introduces a comprehensive framework for licensing midwives, designed to ensure that candidates demonstrate extensive practical knowledge and competency. These pathways emphasize the independent management of care, encompassing the critical skills needed to provide safe and effective support for newborns, as well as the care of women during the antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal periods. By establishing clear educational and experiential requirements, the bill seeks to uphold the highest standards of midwifery practice, promoting both the well-being of mothers and infants and the professional integrity of licensed midwives in Georgia.

By licensing and decriminalizing midwifery, we can:

Increase access to quality prenatal, birth, and postpartum care for all Georgians;
Reduce the risk of maternal mortality and improve health outcomes;
Support the growth and development of a more robust  healthcare workforce and Increase workforce opportunities;
Recognize and respect the autonomy of families to make informed choices about their healthcare and childbirth experience.

We urge policymakers, healthcare leaders, and community members to join us in this effort. Together, we can create a more just and equitable healthcare system that values the contributions of midwives and prioritizes the well-being of all Georgians.

(Please note that donations accepted on this page go directly to change.org and not midwifery organizations. To donate to midwifery licensure efforts please go to https://www.georgiacpm.org/donate-1

Signed,

Sarahn Henderson, DEM/TM

Founder of Black Midwives Over GA

Sekesa Berry, TM 

Black Midwives Over GA

Jamarah Amani, LM

Southern Birth Justice Network

National Black Midwives Alliance

Cassaundra Jah, CPM 

Executive Director NACPM

NACPM National

B. Maria Cranford, MSM CPM

Treasurer, NACPM-GA Chapter

Hanifah Shoatz-Bey, TM 

Black Midwives Over GA

Missi Burgess, CPM

President, NACPM-GA Chapter

Piper Lovemore, TM

Mothering Justice

Nyasha Bonner MSN, CNM, FNP-C

Black Midwives Over Georgia