Georgia's ban on midwives puts mothers' lives at risk, lawsuit claims

Georgia has one of the highest rates of C-sections in the country, with the procedure occurring at three times the recommended rate by the World Health Organization. But the state's restrictive laws on midwives are making it even harder for mothers to access safer birth options.

Midwives and birth centers face criminal charges despite dire maternal health crisis

Jamarah Amani, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, now works with low-income Black families in Florida after leaving Georgia due to its strict laws. She is one of the few certified professional midwives able to provide care in the state, but her options are limited compared to certified nurse-midwives who are licensed nurses in addition to midwives.

Georgia's laws prohibit unlicensed midwives from providing routine prenatal visits, taking vital signs, and delivering babies, with penalties of up to $1,000 in fines or imprisonment. However, families are still seeking out the care of unlicensed midwives, who are often the only option for those living in rural areas or with limited financial means.

The lawsuit, filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of Amani and two other midwives, seeks to decriminalize their work and remove physical barriers to entry for midwives in the state. The suit argues that Georgia's restrictions are not only unconstitutional but also put the health and lives of mothers and babies at risk.