Joining the Coalition

Every year in Ohio almost 1,000 babies are born at home.

Their parents may have chosen out-of-hospital birth for religious, cultural, health or economic reasons. Studies have shown that home birth offers safe outcomes for mothers and babies when overseen by qualified midwives who can screen for risk factors and transfer care appropriately. Women who choose to deliver their baby at home deserve to have the best care available -- the care of a well-trained midwife with experience in out-of-hospital settings.

The national Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential is used by 22 other states as a part of their regulatory process for midwives specializing in out-of-hospital birth. But because there is no licensure mechanism for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in Ohio, midwives serving home birthing families in our state are being prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license. Families in Ohio go to great lengths to employ a midwife, with some travelling to give birth with a licensed midwife in another state. Families who cannot find a qualified midwife may go without prenatal care and birth unassisted at home.

The current environment puts thousands of families at risk of not having access to trained, licensed care providers during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post partum.

Ohio Families for Safe Birth would like to invite you to join a statewide effort to ensure that every family choosing home birth in 2010 has access to care from a licensed Certified Professional Midwife. Ohio Families for Safe Birth (OFSB) is a state-wide coalition of organizations, professionals and families vested in maternal child health policy, partnering with Ohio midwives pursuing licensure and regulation. OFSB is a member of the Big Push for Midwives, a nationally coordinated campaign to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The coalition is guided by its executive committee which includes birth professionals, other professionals, and a strong consumer presence. The executive committee answers to its board and is guided by its mission statement of protecting families by supporting legislation that licenses Certified Professional Midwives in Ohio. The coalition optimizes and amplifies the strengths and effectiveness of member organizations in the legislative campaign for licensed Certified Professional Midwives. By joining us, you can help make home birth safer for mothers and babies in Ohio.

Both individuals and organizations are encouraged to join Ohio Families for Safe Birth. The only requirement is to endorse the OFSB CPM Licensure Initiative.

Of course, additional assistance is welcome! Here are some things a member group "can do" to further the work of the coalition. This list may be updated at times.

Coalition "Can Do" List:

  • Provide a contact within your organization
  • Set up a phone tree within your organization
  • Using that phone tree, assist in spreading the word to your membership of activities within the midwifery community or of certain needs -- such as the need to write or call one's Senator or Representative to support legislation
  • Allow Ohio midwifery-related information to be distributed to your membership via mailings or via publishing in your organization's newsletter
  • Donate postage for mass mailings
  • Make a financial donation to the legal defense fund for Ohio midwives facing prosecution
  • Make a financial donation directly to the Coalition to help support our activities and lobbying
  • Encourage other organizations to join the Coalition
  • Volunteer to provide time and/or creative assistance on specific coalition projects


Organizations interested in joining but who have questions should contact the Coalition.

Phone inquiries may be directed to Jerren Helwig at 708-471-5475 OR jerren4@gmail.com This email address is being protected from spam, so please put Ohio Coalition in the header.

Groups ready to sign on may print the Ohio Families for Safe Birth Endorsement Form (download as a PDF), fill it out and mail to: Ohio Families for Safe Birth, 3814 Dust Commander, Fairfield Township, OH 45011.

Individuals who are interested in joining the coalition may also follow the instructions above. Please contact us to find out local opportunities for action in your area.