Mission Statement
Nebraska Friends of Midwives (NFOM) is a consumer-based organization that seeks to raise public awareness of the benefits of midwifery care and works to facilitate changes in Nebraska law to expand access to midwives in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. We support the right of women to make educated decisions about where and with whom they give birth.
2012 Call to Action from Becky Sherman, NFOM Legislative Chair
We have a bill number! The time is upon us to roll up our sleeves and get to work to raise awareness of and support for LB 712!
LB 712 is the 2012 bill to remove the home birth exclusion from the Nebraska statues governing Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). Since 1983, when their practice was first established in Nebraska, it has been a crime for CNMs to attend home birth.
In the past NFOM has pursued the passage of multiple midwifery bills at once. Last year one of those bills (LB 68) became law, adding CNMs to the list of care providers that can not be denied hospital privileges based solely on category. In 2012 NFOM is dedicating its focus to only LB 712. It is our goal see the words "except that a certified nurse midwife shall not attend a home delivery" stricken from the statute, allowing CNMs to attend birth at home.
Removing twelve words sounds simple enough, right? But here is where we need your help- everyone and every bit counts!
NFOM needs you to contact your senator and there is no time like the present! It is always helpful when we, as constituents, contact our own state senators requesting better access to midwives. Sending short letters, calling their offices at the Capitol, or sending emails sharing personal stories and/or reasons for wanting greater access to licensed midwives--at home, in birth centers, and hospitals--lets senators hear from Nebraskans that this is an important issue deserving of their attention. You can FIND YOUR SENATOR here. You can read more about communicating with your representative here.
In addition to contacting your senator, there are many other ways to encourage increased access to midwifery care in Nebraska. NFOM works to educate all Nebraska residents, law-makers, and our growing group about the benefits and options of midwifery care. Toward this end, NFOM hosts several events throughout the year.
Statewide events included a Legislative Day in May, cookie days at the Capitol, and an annual meeting. Film showings of Laboring Under an Illusion occur throughout the state in homes and public venues. NFOM's regions host monthly and special events- more information on those, as well as other events is available on the calendar (check back often for updates), or sign up for our Yahoo group.
For those who want to know what can be done Right Now to improve access to midwifery care: Talk with your fellow Nebraskans about the issue! Tell your friends and family, your co-workers, mail carrier, librarian, the gas meter reader, the telemarketer, and the grocery store bagger that you want to see more options available for midwifery care here in Nebraska. Raising awareness one person at a time goes a long way. Telling one person each day means that you reach 365 individuals in a year, which is probably more than any one of us reached last year!
There are many ways to help support LB 712, the midwifery model, and the home birth option. For more suggestions about NFOM involvement click here.
The most powerful instrument of a grass-roots organization is YOU- the consumer, the voter, the mother, the father, the midwife. Use your power and contact your senator- it is your right as a Nebraska citizen.
Nebraska's Good Life- Better with a Midwife.
Fun Photography Fact: The photo of the West Legislative Chamber was taken by an NFOM member while awaiting the floor debate of LB68 in General File. Photography without flash is permitted in the Legislative Chamber.
LB 712 is the 2012 bill to remove the home birth exclusion from the Nebraska statues governing Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). Since 1983, when their practice was first established in Nebraska, it has been a crime for CNMs to attend home birth.
In the past NFOM has pursued the passage of multiple midwifery bills at once. Last year one of those bills (LB 68) became law, adding CNMs to the list of care providers that can not be denied hospital privileges based solely on category. In 2012 NFOM is dedicating its focus to only LB 712. It is our goal see the words "except that a certified nurse midwife shall not attend a home delivery" stricken from the statute, allowing CNMs to attend birth at home.
Removing twelve words sounds simple enough, right? But here is where we need your help- everyone and every bit counts!
NFOM needs you to contact your senator and there is no time like the present! It is always helpful when we, as constituents, contact our own state senators requesting better access to midwives. Sending short letters, calling their offices at the Capitol, or sending emails sharing personal stories and/or reasons for wanting greater access to licensed midwives--at home, in birth centers, and hospitals--lets senators hear from Nebraskans that this is an important issue deserving of their attention. You can FIND YOUR SENATOR here. You can read more about communicating with your representative here.
In addition to contacting your senator, there are many other ways to encourage increased access to midwifery care in Nebraska. NFOM works to educate all Nebraska residents, law-makers, and our growing group about the benefits and options of midwifery care. Toward this end, NFOM hosts several events throughout the year.
Statewide events included a Legislative Day in May, cookie days at the Capitol, and an annual meeting. Film showings of Laboring Under an Illusion occur throughout the state in homes and public venues. NFOM's regions host monthly and special events- more information on those, as well as other events is available on the calendar (check back often for updates), or sign up for our Yahoo group.
For those who want to know what can be done Right Now to improve access to midwifery care: Talk with your fellow Nebraskans about the issue! Tell your friends and family, your co-workers, mail carrier, librarian, the gas meter reader, the telemarketer, and the grocery store bagger that you want to see more options available for midwifery care here in Nebraska. Raising awareness one person at a time goes a long way. Telling one person each day means that you reach 365 individuals in a year, which is probably more than any one of us reached last year!
There are many ways to help support LB 712, the midwifery model, and the home birth option. For more suggestions about NFOM involvement click here.
The most powerful instrument of a grass-roots organization is YOU- the consumer, the voter, the mother, the father, the midwife. Use your power and contact your senator- it is your right as a Nebraska citizen.
Nebraska's Good Life- Better with a Midwife.
Fun Photography Fact: The photo of the West Legislative Chamber was taken by an NFOM member while awaiting the floor debate of LB68 in General File. Photography without flash is permitted in the Legislative Chamber.
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