Lawsuit

I have been involved, unfortunately, in a painful and prolonged lawsuit. I found out today that the client who sued me has won the case, the judge awarding them 100% of their demands.

I am sad for midwifery with this ruling. Obstetrics in America is filled with stories of birth workers who can no longer have loving relationships with their patients because they are scared to death of lawsuits. The only people who suffer from these lawsuits are the mothers and babies because it becomes harder and harder to get the care you want when your caregiver is scared or limited by malpractice insurance.

Thankfully, this case was not about my ability as a midwife or my care of the mother and baby but a question of contracts, insurance, and money. I am so grateful to have learned what I did without anyone being seriously hurt - my heart goes out to midwives who are charged with an unwarrented medical lawsuit. Still, it is now on Sage Midwifery's record and is costing my family a great deal of money.

I hope you will, as a midwifery supporter or midwife, follow my case. If you are a voter, be aware of judgements and make your opinions known - it can impact your healthcare in many ways.

I have a great lawyer (and breastfeeding advocate!), Diane, who held my hand and midwifed me through this process - a lawyer who believes in midwives and who reflected, "The only thing I wanted when I met with the couple and their attorney was for for us women to have a good breastfeeding session together and talk. That would have solved everything." She also said to me, "No matter what outcome happens, you are safe and will be ok." I love her for those two wise thoughts because they got me through. They were my lawsuit mantras.