I Stand With Sally
Donation protected
Sally Acosta is a homebirth midwife in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Last month, she transferred a client to the hospital for an unforseen and extremely rare complication to childbirth. Despite her best efforts, the baby died. The fetal death rate has never been zero, and never will be zero, in any setting. This stillbirth is the only time that a baby in Sally's practice has died.
In Louisiana, midwifery licensure is through the state medical board. The board is conducting an investigation into this case - which is understandable and appropriate. What is not understandable is the damage they are causing to Sally and her clients while they look into this matter.
Unlike the process in most states, the medical board has ordered Sally to stop seeing clients while they conduct their investigation, which will take at least 3 months, and potentially much longer. This is extremely damaging both to Sally, and to all the clients who planned to have a homebirth with her. Further, the medical board has ordered that she cannot even attend their hospital births as a doula. This is financially damaging to Sally, this is emotionally damaging to her clients, and this is a violation of women's rights to choose where and with whom they birth.
How can you help?
1. Write a letter to the medical board - we are working on talking points now, and will provide talking points and contact information once that is approved by Sally.
2. Make a financial donation to lessen the financial impact on Sally and her family. Here are her expenses to date, we'll update this as it changes:
$18,950 must be refunded to clients who she will not be able to attend in next 3 months
$20,000 - $100,000 for attorney's fees
We are seeking to raise $38,950 at this time. Actual expenses will likely exceed that. We will adjust our total estimate as needed.
NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL - it all adds up!
3. Post the link to this and talk to other midwives and those who support midwives, and the rights of families to choose where and with whom they give birth.
Last month, she transferred a client to the hospital for an unforseen and extremely rare complication to childbirth. Despite her best efforts, the baby died. The fetal death rate has never been zero, and never will be zero, in any setting. This stillbirth is the only time that a baby in Sally's practice has died.
In Louisiana, midwifery licensure is through the state medical board. The board is conducting an investigation into this case - which is understandable and appropriate. What is not understandable is the damage they are causing to Sally and her clients while they look into this matter.
Unlike the process in most states, the medical board has ordered Sally to stop seeing clients while they conduct their investigation, which will take at least 3 months, and potentially much longer. This is extremely damaging both to Sally, and to all the clients who planned to have a homebirth with her. Further, the medical board has ordered that she cannot even attend their hospital births as a doula. This is financially damaging to Sally, this is emotionally damaging to her clients, and this is a violation of women's rights to choose where and with whom they birth.
How can you help?
1. Write a letter to the medical board - we are working on talking points now, and will provide talking points and contact information once that is approved by Sally.
2. Make a financial donation to lessen the financial impact on Sally and her family. Here are her expenses to date, we'll update this as it changes:
$18,950 must be refunded to clients who she will not be able to attend in next 3 months
$20,000 - $100,000 for attorney's fees
We are seeking to raise $38,950 at this time. Actual expenses will likely exceed that. We will adjust our total estimate as needed.
NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL - it all adds up!
3. Post the link to this and talk to other midwives and those who support midwives, and the rights of families to choose where and with whom they give birth.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jesica Dolin
Organizer
Portland, OR
Sally Acosta
Beneficiary
