North Carolina
A Better Place to Be with CPMs
Musings on the Big Push—It Can Get Lonely When Being Right Is Just Not Enough
"Like most men, I began fathering with the conventional thinking on childbirth, namely, that it is a little like flying an airplane in the early 1900's—that any birth you walked away from was a good birth. Owing to the leadership of my wife, I grew to know that planned home birth is a perfectly fine decision, and I have observed her over the years as she has evolved into a Certified Professional Midwife.
"Several years ago I developed a feeling that women and families who choose to birth at home are unfairly oppressed. I got angry from hearing the stories and observing the adversaries' rhetoric. I began exploring these issues and volunteered to support the effort to advocate for and educate about midwifery care in North Carolina.
"I was fortunate to find the Birth Policy network not long before the formation of the NBPC and the Big Push for Midwives Campaign. In a short period of time I was schooled on all of the concepts related to midwifery licensure and regulation.
"The formation of the Big Push campaign resulted in the development of some terrific lobbying tools targeted at legislators. It transformed a loose collection of advocates into a formidable presence. It has served me, and the North Carolina Friends of Midwives, as a foundation of strength and guidance.
"Whenever the adversaries publish some ill-conceived message along the lines of 'women who choose home births are a bunch of self-centered competitive mothers,' I know they will soon blush at their words as the next masterfully crafted response from the Big Push is released.
"Whenever we are confronted by the North Carolina Medical Society and their hardball bullying tactics, I know there is the strength of the entire PushNation behind our efforts. As a direct result of the support from the Big Push for Midwives Campaign, the North Carolina Friends of Midwives is one of the most significant entities promoting midwifery and the Midwives Model of Care in North Carolina.
"It can get lonely when being right is just not enough, and I am thankful that my state colleagues and I are not alone. Indeed, I feel as if there is an army just waiting to be unleashed in support of the battalion running up the hill at the North Carolinian Front."
—Russ Fawcett, North Carolina
Legislative Chair, North Carolina Friends of Midwives
Nuclear Engineer and Engineering Manager
Spouse to Lisa, CPM
Father of five (three born at home)
