I had two safe and uncomplicated home births, in 2010 and 2012, under the care of a CPM. When I became pregnant for the third time, in 2018, I knew there was nobody else that I would trust to care for me and my family during that pregnancy and birth. The birth went well, overall, but shortly afterward, the CPM expressed concern about the amount of blood I was using. I said that I felt fine, but when I stood up, I fainted. The CPM massaged my uterus to try to get it to contract, in order to stop the bleeding. When that wasn't working fast enough, she gave me a shot of pitocin. At that time, she employed a CNM so that she could have access to basic medications necessary for safely managing birth. However, it was the CPM, and not the CNM, who observed that I was in bad shape and needed this intervention. My sister-in-law was present at this birth. She is a physician who trained at the Mayo Clinic. She told me later that she was extremely impressed with the CPM's handling of the situation, and that she didn't think any doctor could have done better. She believes that the CPM's careful observation, fast action, and excellent training saved my life.

I find it frustrating and upsetting that CPMs are not permitted to obtain or administer life-saving medications without the oversight of a doctor or CNM. They are trained and nationally certified to use them. Why can't people giving birth in Virginia have access to the safest options, regardless of whether their care provider is a CPM, a CNM, or an OB/GYN?