Many Expectant Mothers Considering Home Births As Covid-19 Cases Continue To Rise

FT. MILL, S.C. — With the rise in coronavirus cases, many expectant mothers are now considering home births.

In South Carolina, Certified Professional Midwives are allowed to practice home births with a doctor’s approval.  But, the practice is illegal in North Carolina.

Yadira Goodwin, who lives in Ft. Mill, initially planned to deliver her son at a hospital in Charlotte, but then, when she reached 20 weeks of pregnancy, the pandemic hit, and she began to have real concerns about the safety of herself and her unborn child.  Goodwin researched, and found a midwife that helped deliver her son without any problems.

“I got to have my husband here, my mom and my sister, and my best friend, which that was my support system that I needed,” says Goodwin.

Goodwin’s doctor explained the risks involved in home birth.

The North Carolina Association of Certified Professional Midwives is pushing lawmakers to legalize the practice of CPM’s performing home births.

“We petitioned Governor Cooper back in the Spring as we looked, and saw the effects that Covid was probably going to have,” says Meredith Silver with the NACPM.

Lawmakers in North Carolina have discussed the practice during legislative committees, but it has never been put to a vote.