Today is International Day of the Midwife. Began by the International Conference of Midwives, this year's theme is "Midwives changing the world one family at a time."

Obviously, I feel passionately about the cause of midwifery. My midwife is like a member of my family. She gave me the births I always wanted. She supported me. She encouraged me. She brought my two boys into the world safely, which is a gift I can never repay.

She also committed a crime.

Currently, the state of Kentucky does not provide a legal path to licensure for midwives. As a result, any midwife helping a woman deliver at home is practicing medicine without a license, which is a felony. Despite the fact that the number of women giving birth at home is growing (especially in this state), midwives in Kentucky must accept great personal risk to provide care for these women.

The Kentucky Home Birth Coalition is a grass-roots organization working to change the law and provide a legal path to licensure for direct entry midwives using the Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) credential in Kentucky.

Regulating home births that are GOING TO HAPPEN ANYWAY increases the safety of birth. Home births in this state are growing, including a huge Amish population that is not going to a hospital. Instead of pushing this process underground where people not properly trained can practice midwifery, it is in everyone's best interest to regulate and assure that any midwife practicing is properly trained and licensed.

To celebrate the International Day of the Midwife, I'm asking you to give just $5 to support the Kentucky Home Birth Coalition in their mission. Give $5 if you've been affected by my story, if you think women should have the births they want without breaking the law, or if you love the two little boys I delivered at home!