The Pennsylvania Board of Medicine claimed that Diane Goslin, CPM, was practicing medicine for catching babies at home. How dare she? She wasn't a doctor. Forget the fact that her moms and babies did very well for the past 25 years. Forget the fact that midwives pre-date doctors. Forget the fact that PA's regulations doesn't give their BoM power over non-nurse-midwives. No, the BoM gave her a Cease & Desist Order, fined her $10,000 for practicing medicine without a license (where does a homebirth midwife come with that kind of money?), and another $1,000 for practicing midwifery without a license. But Ms. Goslin didn't take this laying down. She fought the ruling - AND WON.

Justice Friedman of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court said, "practicing medicine cannot be construed to be the same as practicing medicine...." Wow! The court reversed ALL THREE rulings against Ms. Goslin and because their ruling only focused on the legal aspects of the case, this opens up Pennsylvania for homebirths. But, beyond this, the court found that the BoM violated Ms. Goslin's right to due process. Hmm.... I can think of another court case, I'd be considering with such a ruling as this. One that might make other state Boards of Medicine think three or four times before they go after midwives not under their jurisdiction.

Hopefully, this appellate court decision will also be used in other states to protect midwives from such persecution.

I pray that one day, midwives will be completely legal in all 50 states. I pray that one day, parents will have a large supply of skilled midwives to choose from, so they can find a midwife who fits their needs, their desires, their family. I pray that God will move across this nation and bring about His best good will for homebirth. I pray that midwives won't work against each other to say we all have to have the same initials in order to midwife. To me, that's similar to what the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine said to Diane Goslin.

Waiting for that time,

Debby S

www.blessedbabiesandfamilies.com