to ask wtf is going on with independent midwives and European law?

[RevoltingPeasant]

Has anybody else heard about this? - I contacted a local independent midwifery service this week to think ahead about a HB when the time comes (ttc shortly).

I was told that due to changes in European law, they're likely going to have to shut down and stop taking on clients as of the end of this year.

AIBU to ask if this is actually true and if it is, how the fuck is it benefitting women??

If I remember rightly it's to do with insurance - most companies won't insure them and without insurance they're practising illegally. It stinks to high heaven.

It's due to them having difficulty insuring themselves I think

X-post!

That is dreadful!!! Is there anything we can do? Is there room for a campaign here?

I have been feeling really freaked out ever since someone told me that our local hospital can be quite intervention-happy and also that they refuse discourage HBs for first-time mums. When I found our local indie practice I was overjoyed.

How can it be good to take this choice away from women?

There is no insurance available to independent midwives. There is none on the market. No-one will insure them. There have been legal changes pending for years that would make it illegal to practise without insurance. The timescale remains unclear.

There has been a campaign for years

The lovely Tooting Birth Centre where I had always planned to give birth since hearing about it closed last year. It is shit.

It is shit. Have you though about using a doula for labour support?