Endorsements

Marsden Wagner, M.D., M.S.

“As the former Director of Women’s and Children’s Health for the World Health Organization, I strongly endorse the Friends of Michigan Midwives.  Midwives are the providers of choice for the more than 80% of prenatal women who are at low risk.  Obstetricians should limit their service to hospital based care for high risk pregnant and birthing women.”   Sincerely,   Marsden Wagner M.D., M.S. 

Dr. Wagner received his MD from UCLA, going on to receive a Masters degree in perinatology (Obstetrics and Neonatology), perinatal epidemiology and reproductive science. He has several years experience in the field of maternal child health, including teaching at UCLA. For 15 years, he was responsible for the well-being of women and children in 45 industrialized countries as the director of Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization. Additionally, he has published 151 scientific papers, 23 book chapters, and 15 scientific books in several languages. His expertise in the area of maternity care has led to his testimony before the United States congress, British parliament, French National Assembly, Italian Parliament, Danish parliament, Israeli Parliament as well as being called on to consult with national and local governments and non-governmental organizations.

Barbara Katz Rothman, Ph. D.

“We need midwifery care available to every woman, in the interests of health, of cost, of safety and of humanity.  The Friends of Michigan Midwives is doing the solid work that supports midwives, and ensures that women in Michigan can give birth how they want to and where they want to, in or out of hospital. Join me in supporting their efforts."

Barbara Katz Rothman, PhD, Professor of Sociology, City University of New York Dr. Rothman received her Ph.D. in sociology from New York University, and is Professor of Sociology at the City University of New York. Among many subjects such as new genetics and reproductive technologies, medical sociology and bioethics, she has studied midwifery and birth for more than three decades. She is the author of several books on the subject of pregnancy and childbearing including In Labor: Women and Power in the Birthplace. Dr. Rothman is also widely published in various periodicals such as Midwifery Today. Visit her website: www.barbarakatzrothman.com.

Robbie Davis-Floyd, Ph. D.

"I am pleased to give my personal endorsement to the Friends of Michigan Midwives.  As a cultural anthropologist, studying childbirth and midwifery extensively, I understand the important role midwives play in giving women positive birthing outcomes.  The work that FoMM is doing is vital to ensure that the women of Michigan will continue to have the option of midwifery care available to them, especially those who choose out-of-hospital birth."

Robbie Davis-Floyd, Ph. D. Dr. Davis-Floyd received her Ph. D in anthropology at University of Texas. Her own traumatic birth experience spurred her on to study the birth experiences of 100 women. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, Birth as an American Rite of Passage and her eventual interest in midwifery care. She has authored several articles and lectured extensively on the topics of women-centered pregnancy, childbirth, obstetrics and midwifery. Visit her website: www.davis-floyd.com.

Henci Goer

"Research shows that planned home birth with a qualified home birth practitioner in a woman at low risk of complications results in equally good outcomes for babies and mothers. Indeed, such women may be better off because they are much less likely to experience potentially harmful medical interventions such as cesarean surgery. Women deserve complete, accurate information about childbirth options available to them for childbirth beyond the typical medicalized hospital birth, and they are entitled to care from qualified home birth providers, should home birth be their choice. That is why I feel that organizations like Friends of Michigan Midwives are so valuable.  Their tireless work with midwives is helping educate women to achieve better experiences and outcomes for Michigan mothers and babies.  I am proud to give my endorsement to FoMM."

Henci Goer is a scholar and author in the field of evidence-based maternity care. The author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, she worked as a doula for 20 years and childbirth educator of the Lamaze method for ten. Her expertise in the area as made her an internationally sought-after speaker. Visit her website: www.hencigoer.com

Barbara Harper, RN, CD,CCE

Friends of Michigan Midwives has my full support as they provide much needed education and support to the community on the safety and efficacy of home birth, birth in birthing centers and identify midwife friendly ob practices. It is vital that we keep the public informed about the Midwives Model of Care and what it means to have an undisturbed birth process. Our future generations depend on it! Thank you for all the work you do for the families of Michigan!" Barbara Harper is the founder of Water Birth International, an organization dedicated to educating women about gentle, undisturbed laboring and giving birth in water. Her passion for the care of mothers and babies was started by watching her grandmother, a nurse and midwife, and continued in her career as an RN. Extensive research and experience in the field led her to publish the book & DVD, Gentle Birth Choices. She currently travels the world lecturing at universities, midwifery programs and conferences in addition to providing waterbirth certification for birth providers. Visit her website: www.waterbirth.org

For more endorsements, visit 

Healthcare Providers for Michigan Midwives.