Midwife Autonomy Endangered by MANA President Sarita Bennett

Jessica Mckee: Virginia midwives need more autonomy, not less

Jennifer Shuman: FREEDOM

Jennifer Seymour: I’m a member of ACNM, AABC, and the NY state chapters of both. Midwifery is an independent profession. Dr Bennettt’s position is not representative of the body of midwives in the US, nor is it supported by the extensive evidence on the topic.

Jennifer Gallardo: Please remove Dr. Sarita Bennet from the MANA board immediately. We need a midwife who believes in midwives representing our national organization.

Jane Rittenhouse: I support Midwives.

Holly Scholles: autonomous practice and the lack of a gatekeeper are essential components of midwifery practice. We need to protect our independence and thus protect our clients rights and choices.

Heather Whitley CPM LDEM: I have practiced licensed and autonomous for 11 years in two states both in home birth and birth center. I have good informal collaboration physician relationships and never a complaint. But requirements to my and colleagues credentials to hold practice agreements would pose a barrier to practice. I implore Virginia to look at states where this has grossly failed, such as New York State, where travesties affecting midwives, women and infants continue, and women cannot access credentialed midwives in most areas. This creates a more dangerous scenario for women and families. Instead look to states where it is safe and collaborative to practice as a licensed credentialed midwife, but not required, such as Utah, and the licensure requirements and statistics there. Inspire, not require.

Heather Forbes: Physician oversight supports physiological birth?!

Hayley Swedelius: I am appalled to hear such slander against the profession of midwifery. Anyone who does not support and model MANA’s mission should not represent or work for this organization or with midwives.

Hannah: As a Midwife who practices in a rural area and in a hospital to keep Dr. Bennett in the position of President is a dishonor to all the work we, as Midwives, are doing! Please remove her immediately as she does not represent me or the Midwifery care I stand for and provide.

Fara Bitter LDEM CPM: Dr. Bennett no longer represents her midwifery colleagues and peers or supports the anonymity of Midwifery. She should be immediately removed from her position as President of MANA. The rest of MANA's board should make a public statement stating that Dr. Bennett's opinions are her own and are not reflected by the rest of the board.

Esther Healey: This is absolutely incredible and ridiculous. How on earth is this person president of MANA? I hope the next board meeting is re-scheduled for tomorrow. Sounds like Dr.Bennett had a couple negative experiences with midwives and is taking it out in all of us. If I used that same logic, there wouldn’t be any Doctors Board. I hope this is resolve with ease and swiftly.

Erin C Ryan: CPM's are independent practitioners and should be treated as such.

ERICA M STATMAN: Dr. Bennett's comments represent the typical hubris of the institution of medicine which positions itself as the authority over matters of care. Midwives remain amongst the few who guard the sacred autonomy of pregnant women. And study after study shows that midwifery care is safe, less invasive and associated with far less morbidity and mortality than hospital/physician attended births. Let this be the last time that physicians leave their lane to acquire more control over births which are plagued with poor outcomes and trauma for the mothers.

Emily Amy Medwin: … I have wanted to believe there was some misunderstanding… but now see the problem lies solely with Sarrita Bennett… Depose her now as she doesn’t speak in the best interest of midwives and those they serve.

Ellen Williamson LDM CPM: I am appalled. As a DO Sarita Bennett is someone who is not affected by the sweeping changes she is proposing and could single-handedly destroy the work midwives (not osteopaths!) have achieved. She is practicing as a licensed midwife—a credential that was not created for her, but she practices under. And now she would take it away from others. I am disgusted with MANA for its inaction.

Elizabeth Catlin: This is so disappointing to hear. Thank you to those willing to step up and stop this nonsensical attack on OOH providers.

E Howard: Midwifery care is the very best medical care I have ever received in my whole life!!! Midwifery can and should be an integral part of medicine for women.

Donna Miller: It is necessary for Dr Bennet to resign! We have worked long and hard to get where we are today!

Dominique Jones: Sorry you guys are going through this. I’m blown away by this. Hope Sarita will come around.