[Annointed_RNStudent]

I am somewhat confused about the laws regarding homebirths in NC.

I knew of a family that had homebirths and the husband delivered the children, and then other families that had children and a lady in the church just came and delivered them with no nursing license or anything? Is this legal, or do all homebirths have to be attended by a Licensed Professional?

Thanks

[May_baby]

If a woman chooses to give birth on the subway or a gigantic rock, I'm not aware of any legal consequences.

HOWEVER, the training of birth attendants is a legal matter.

Church Lady catching babies?? Unless she is state licensed, probably NOT legal.

Each state has laws about birth attendants to protect the health of families. Individuals defined as state-approved birth attendants must usually meet specific standards of education. Some states define CPMs, CNMs, Family Practicioners, etc. as licensed homebirth attendants. Only legal birth attendants may advertise or promote themselves as homebirth attendants.

Anyone from NC want to weigh in?

[Jolie]

I left NC in the 1990's, so my information may not be current. But at that time, unlicensed, lay-entry midwifery was NOT legal. That's not to say it wasn't practiced, though. There was a large, active "underground" of lay midwives who carried out prenatal care and deliveries. The problem was that when something went wrong, they could not present themselves with their patients for medical care, for fear of legal action. So, our birth center got patients "dumped" at the door, while the midwife sped off (literally) down the street. Sick moms with stunned partners were left with no information regarding medical or OB history, and Dad would have to try and relate the events of labor to us.