Idaho
Midwifery
Council		 winter 2009 newsletter

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President’s Message

Greetings from the far North! Winter is fast approaching. The days are short, nights are long and the mountains are sporting their winter coat. It is a time of inner reflections-special moments with family, friends. It is a time to stop and give thanks for the many blessings that come our way as midwives.

 As I transition into this new role, with outgoing President Barb at my side to guide and assist me, I am humbled and honored to lead IMC for the next two years. I am happy and excited to work with this great Board. It is comprised of some amazingly smart, and passionate women, dedicated to moving midwifery forward in our great state of Idaho. I encourage all of you to contact any of us with questions and concerns that you may have. Your regional reps are a great source of information, so be sure and utilize them. Contact information for the Board is located on the front page of the newsletter.

 Many of you have called and asked me about the classes we all need for licensing. Paula has been working hard organizing these classes. Please know that we have plenty of time to get these classes in before we can apply for our licenses. More details are available elsewhere in the newsletter.

October I had the pleasure of going to the annual MANA conference in California. Idaho was well represented, with 7 of us in attendance. At our regional meeting, we were given kudos for passing our Bill. It was noted also, that there are only 12 MANA members from Idaho. So, if you are not a member, I really encourage you to join now! MANA works tirelessly for all midwives-around the world. They need our support!

I wish all of you blessings in your work, and hope you will consider joining us in ours. Please consider volunteer committee work, fundraising, or making a donation to the IMC scholarship fund.

May the Peace and Beauty of the Season sustain you throughout the year.

Yours truly-
Kendra Scarlett
IMC President

                                                                                   

Outgoing President’s Report

It is with great pride that I pass the torch of a thriving midwifery organization on after all these years.  I admit, it is also pretty strange.  I have held one board position or another since the IMC's conception in 1980.  I am thrilled there are so many capable hands to carry us forward.  My eternal thanks go to all of you along with my undying commitment to our work as midwives in such a challenging climate.

The past year has been so amazing.  As I look back at my calendar I become overwhelmed again at the enormity of what it took to accomplish what we have!  I am so grateful THAT part is behind us but value the experience very much.  The theme of the excellent IMC Conference this fall was MIDWIVES ENTERING A NEW ERA.  And so we are.  The work is never done and it is exciting to move forward.

I thank the IMC for the beautiful bowl I was presented with and for trusting me to serve as your president for the past 8 years (or so).  Thank you to Paula, Kyndal and the entire crew that organized such a wonderful conference this year.  Thank you to Michelle for standing shoulder to shoulder, counterbalancing each other along the way.  Thank you to Kendra for filling in and now for stepping up to the plate.  Thank you to Paula, Rose and Ian for the work to gain MEAC approval for the Treatment of Shock & IV Therapy training and for the great job of teaching all of us.  Thanks to Paula and Vicki for the same on the Pharmacology class.  Suturing is in the works - thanks in advance.  Thank you to everyone for your generosity & patience.  Thank you with all my heart.

One plea (OK, a couple) as we move onward and upward:  Please continue to organize your clients, please continue to grow our IMC membership, please join and support our national organizations - they are working so hard in our behalf and making such progress.  I was embarrassed to learn that Idaho has only 12 MANA members!  Please consider joining MANA & NACPM.  They need us and we need them.

IMC also needs everyone to be working on fundraising.  Every little bit helps.  Use your imagination, organize clients/friends, delegate jobs.  Ideas are endless:  raffle, auction, silent auction, bake sale, birth film showings, theatre presentations (BIRTH, Vagina Monologues), organize concerts, sell candles, sell candy, sell poinsettias, ask for donations through your office or a letter.  You add to the list, we are all so creative.  Your help is necessary and appreciated.

My warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season to everyone.

Love,   Barb

Update on the Licensing Progress

The draft proposed rules have now made it through the Public Comment period, without opposition!  Next they will be scheduled for a hearing in the Legislative Committees of the House and Senate where, after voted on and approved, they will go in to effect when the legislative session closes (late April/early May?).  At that time, and not before, the Board of Midwifery will be authorized to issue applications and grant licenses.  All up to date information can be found at www.ibol.idaho.gov then click on Midwives in the left hand column.  Forms and applications will be posted there when available.  Remember, all practicing midwives will need to be licensed by July 1, 2010 to comply with the new law, so be ready with your documentation by April so you can apply as soon as the rules go in to effect, well in advance of the deadline.

Text Box: Upcoming Events The Treatment of Shock/IV Therapy will be held at Dayspring Midwifery in Hayden on January 6th from 1pm-10pm and in Moscow (location to be determined) on January 8th from 1pm-10pm. The cost is $200. Please contact Paula for more information and to register (paulawiens@earthlink.net or 208.880.5122) Pharmacology will be held at Dayspring Midwifery in Hayden on January 7th from 9am-5pm and in Moscow on January 9th from 9am-5pm. The cost is $25. Please contact Paula for more information and to register (see above). Megan Kirsh will be hosting a peer review at Treasure Valley Midwives Birth Center in Boise on January 18 from 1030am to noon. Please RSVP by January 11 to glacierlily25@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Reports

Region 1  (Far North)

Representative: Carrie Blake, Athol

Greetings from Region 1!  News from our Region is minimal. Barb (Womancare Midwifery) has continued to work diligently on the Rules & Regulations for our bill and we are all thankful for her commitment to all of the midwives in Idaho. Denise (Pend Oreille Midwifery) has been working with a group who has a grant to provide hearing screenings for out-of-hospital-born babies and we hope to have the screening available at Pend Oreille Midwifery (Sandpoint) and Dayspring Midwifery (Hayden) in 2010. Otherwise, all is quiet in Region 1.

Here's a tidbit for you to mull over: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is related to the probability of a mother having a c-section (those with sufficient Vitamin D levels have ~ a 5% c-section rate), and developing pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. (reference: vitamindcouncil.org) 

Have an incredible Christmas and a Happy Birthing 2010!      

Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Continue to learn. Play with abandon. Choose with no regret. Laugh! Do what you love. Love as if this is all there is. -- Mary Anne Radmacher-Hershey

Region 2 (Middle Idaho)

 Representative: Nancy Draznin, Genessee

No report submitted

 Region 3 (Southwest)

 Representative: Coleen Goodwin, Meridian

No report submitted

Region 4 (Southeast)

 Representative: Valerie Hall,  Ammon

No report submitted

Region 5 (South-Central)

 Representative: Cara Niska, Twin Falls

No report submitted

 
 Financial Report   

Paula Wiens, Boise

The current balance of Idaho Midwifery Council’s bank account is $3,830.78, with more to deposit after the first pharmacology class.  Thank you to the midwives who have made contributions to the Idaho Midwifery Council.


Membership Report   

Kendra Scarlett, Bonners Ferry

IMC currently has 52 members. If you know of any midwives, student midwives, or doulas that are not members, and would like to join our organization please have them contact me via email at: zfreen@nidaho.net

Membership fees are $35.00 annually, and due on Jan. 1st of each year. Membership includes quarterly newsletter, discounts on IMC sponsored workshops and conferences. You may also request to have your contact info included on the IMC website.

Please be sure and let me know if any of your contact info changes, so that I can update that in our database.


Idaho Midwifery Council

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

§  To promote competent midwifery practice as a quality health care option in Idaho

§  To provide midwives with opportunities for training and continuing education

§  To promote communication between Idaho midwives

§  To promote communication and cooperation between midwives and other professional  and nonprofessional groups concerned with improving perinatal outcomes

§  To work to assure safe, quality childbirth practices, regardless of the birth setting chosen by parents

 

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