Virginia lawmaker,
As the partner of a mother who gave birth at home under the care and guidance of a team of midwives, I can personally attest to the depth of knowledge and wisdom that these practitioners possess. Throughout our prenatal care they were able to quell concerns, prepare us with realistic expectations, and guide us in honing my partner’s birth plan so that it reflected her wishes while keeping the realities of child birth in mind.

While my partner was fortunate in her birth process to not require significant medication administration, I am well aware that every birth is unique. In an effort to best equip our midwives for the myriad of possibilities that can present over the course of labor, I urge you to support legislation that will allow these practitioners to carry and administer the medications that can mean the difference between a successful home birth or birth at a birth center or a potentially traumatic hospital transfer.

Our midwives possess a deep and old wisdom through their training, practice, and their inherent ties to the power of a woman’s intuition. By supporting the robust practice of midwifery in all ways, you will be supporting countless mothers and children through healthier and safer labor and child birth.

Thank you in advance for your support and consideration. If I can be of any service in clarifying any of my points please do not hesitate to reach me at (804)586-6345 or Anderson.gould@gmail.com.

Respectfully,
Anderson Gould, LCSW