In a recent meeting, the American Medical Association (AMA) issued a resolution that proposes at-home births are potentially dangerous to both mother and child. The resolution is a result of AMA’s support of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

The ACOG have stated that the safest environment for a birth is in a hospital or a birthing center. This is to monitor the health of both the mother and infant. If complications arise, early intervention will be the most successful in such an environment.

If a medical intervention is not quickly initiated, fetal distress can lead to serious birth injuries such as cerebral palsy.

The AMA resolution indicates that the AMA will model legislation in collaboration with the ACOG that will support the use of a hospital or birthing center. 

Many mothers and midwives are worried that the resolution and legislation will limit the mother’s rights.

Birth injury attorneys are working on cases of severe birth trauma that has developed due to delayed treatment caused by the negligence of medical staff.

New York obstetricians are becoming rare in many of the rural counties. It is getting difficult for mothers to find nearby practicing obstetricians to help them through the birthing process.

Eight New York counties do not have a practicing obstetrician and 18 counties have less than 5 practicing obstetricians. Due to the lack of obstetricians, women are being faced with having to travel long distances in order to see a specialist. This can be very dangerous for women with high risk pregnancies.

Many feel that the declining number of obstetricians in New York is due to rising medical malpractice premiums. Because of the rising insurance premiums, many obstetricians can no longer afford to practice in New York State.

The eight New York counties without a practicing obstetrician are: Yates, Greene, Hamilton, Seneca, Essex, Washington, Tioga, and Schoharie.

Birth injury attorneys are working on cases in which the lack of proper medical care has caused serious and life-long disability through birth trauma.