Indiana Families for Midwifery Petition Gains Momentum

Over 19,000 signatures support the petition urging IU Health Arnett to reinstate midwife-attended births, highlighting community engagement.

A petition launched by Indiana Families for Midwifery, aimed at IU Health Arnett and Franciscan Health, has now gathered 19,047 signatures. The petition seeks to address the decision by IU Health Arnett to revoke labor and delivery privileges for their Certified Nurse Midwives, a move that has left many in the community perplexed and concerned.

As previously reported by Wlfi News, IU Health Arnett announced earlier this year that their Certified Nurse Midwives would no longer be permitted to perform labor and delivery duties. The decision came as a surprise to many, including the Indiana Family for Midwifery, who have yet to receive an explanation for the sudden change in policy.

Image by Jordan Whitt

In response to the decision, Indiana Families for Midwifery organized a petition to advocate for the reinstatement of midwife-attended births in Lafayette. The organization recently reached out to the health facilities to inform them of the growing support for their cause and reiterate their demands.

Sarah Gotlund, certified Doula and Co-founder of Indiana Families for Midwifery, emphasized the group's unwavering commitment to ensuring the availability of midwife-attended births in Lafayette. "We're not going to give up. We're going to keep doing this and make sure there are midwife-attended births in Lafayette no matter how it comes about. It's going to happen, and we're going to ensure that it does," Gotlund stated.

In response to the petition and growing community concern, IU Health Arnett released a statement acknowledging the voices of those affected by their decision. The statement read, "IU Health is honored to care for patients and their families at this most important time in their lives, and we acknowledge that our duty to provide safe, highly skilled care is a tremendous responsibility. We have heard the voices raised by concerned community members and our team, and we will continue to evaluate how to meet the needs of our community best moving forward."

While the statement acknowledges the concerns of the community, it does not provide a clear indication of whether IU Health Arnett is considering reversing their decision. As the petition continues to garner support, the pressure on healthcare facilities to address the issue increases. The situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the role of midwives in childbirth and the need for a more comprehensive approach to maternal healthcare.

According to the 2018 Indiana University Health Arnett 990H report, IU Health Arnett is committed to addressing the healthcare needs of the community it serves, particularly focusing on improving access to care, enhancing the quality of care, and promoting community health through various programs and initiatives. The report also highlights the hospital's commitment to providing care for underserved populations and addressing health disparities within the community.

Midwives have long played a crucial role in providing care and support to expectant mothers throughout the childbirth process. They possess specialized training and expertise in managing low-risk pregnancies and can often provide a more personalized and holistic approach to childbirth. However, the role of midwives in modern healthcare systems has sometimes been a point of contention, with some advocating for a more integrated approach that includes both midwives and obstetricians.

The Indiana Families for Midwifery petition reflects the growing awareness of the importance of providing expectant mothers with a range of childbirth options. As the number of signatures on the petition continues to rise, it is clear that the community is determined to have their voices heard on this critical issue.

In the end, the persistence of Indiana Families for Midwifery and the growing support for their cause demonstrate the power of community engagement in shaping healthcare policies. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the advocates for midwife-attended births in Lafayette are not backing down.