INTERPRETATION

Interpretation....

As defined, the word interpretation means:
An explanation of the meaning of something, an object such as a work of art, a performance. Making ideas more understandable or expressing ones' own understanding of something.

Religious literature is a great example of where interpretation has led to many a heated discussion as well as full on battle over differing opinions derived from interpretation of the content of the text.

In the case of the Idaho midwifery bill, interpretation of the stated intent of the law is very different for people on opposite sides of the issue. The legislative intent of the Idaho midwifery bill as stated directly at the beginning of the bill says:
LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE AND INTENT. The legislature finds and declares
that the practice of midwifery has been a part of the culture and tradition of Idaho since before
pioneer days and that for personal, religious and economic reasons some Idaho citizens choose
midwifery care. The purpose of this chapter is to preserve the rights of families to deliver their
children in a setting of their choice, to provide additional maternity care options for Idaho’s
families, to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to provide a mechanism to assure
quality care.

After reading the purpose and intent, it sounds as if our legislators and the midwives supporting this bill really do have our best interests in mind. Even the content of the bill could lead some to believe that it parallels the stated intent.

But, that all depends upon how you interpret the content of the bill.

Within the Idaho Midwifery bill, in plain black ink on white paper, the restrictions that are being placed upon licensed midwifes directly violates many women's rights to birth their children in the setting of their choice.

In a lot of cases, women that are seeking to birth at home are doing so because within the confines of the medical model, they would not be allowed to have the birth of their choice. Many women birth their children at home to avoid c-sections, interventions, and restrictions that they know are not necessary to have a healthy child and safe delivery.

Before this legislation passed, these women had the option...no these women had the right to birth at home. And with the stroke of a pen that right was taken away. Risk factored out to appease lawmakers and the medical community.

And for what?

To give the midwives that supported the bill the opportunity to gain some sort of recognition. To finally stake their claim and provide validation. To make it legal to carry drugs that very rarely need to be used and that Traditional Midwives for all of time have never relied upon.

Supporters may interpret the bill as a way to make birthing at home safer.

Non-supporters may interpret the bill as violating women's rights and being overly restrictive.

My interpretation is that of violating women's rights to birth in the setting of their choice as well as reducing the options available to Idaho's families.

The bill states that:
1)(e)(ii), Idaho Code, the licensed
midwife shall provide written notice to the client that the client shall obtain care from
a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 18, title 54, Idaho Code, as a condition to her eligibility to obtain maternity care from the licensed midwife.

Yes, interpretation is a very important part of our world today particularly concerning our laws. Before the Idaho Midwifery legislation was passed, women had the God given right to educate themselves, explore their options, and obtain maternity care from a midwife and give birth in the setting of their choice.

BUT, now women don't have that right....they have to meet eligibility requirements???

Freedoms being replaced by elegibility requirements.
What comes next?

I encourage everyone to take the time and read the bill for themselves. Get informed and stand up for what you believe in.