Alabama Birth Coalition

04/12/2026

Epic chicken for attention:
Problematic care availability reducing decision...
Bring awareness to your representatives!
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/alabama-court-rules-against-midwives-and-birth-centers-in-challenge-to-restrictive-hospital-licensing-rules-but-case-will-continue

03/12/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/20/world-shortage-million-midwives-icm-healthcare-mothers-babies-intervention

03/11/2026

Interesting article.

If only Alabama's hospitals were cooperative rather than combative!

Hospitals are adding midwives to improve maternal outcomes, cut costs, and expand access through collaborative, low-intervention maternity care.

01/28/2026

Exciting news from the Alabama Birth Coalition! HB128 has passed the House, and we're fully behind it. This important bill strengthens the State Board of Midwifery by allowing it to accept gifts and grants, and it updates the board's membership and duties to better support safe, high-quality birthing choices across our state.
We want to see HB128 move forward in the Senate without harmful amendments—keeping it strong for Alabama families who deserve informed, respectful maternity care.
ABC members and supporters: Your voice matters right now! Please contact your state senator today, with special urgency to members of the Senate Healthcare Committee. Ask them to pass HB128 as it stands.
Key committee members to reach out to:

Tim Melson (Chair, District 1)
Larry Stutts (Vice Chair, District 6)
William M. Beasley (Member)
Lance Bell (Member, District 11)
Tom Butler (Member, District 2)
Donnie Chesteen (Member, District 29)
Linda Coleman-Madison (Ranking Minority Member)
Sam Givhan (Member, District 7)
Garlan Gudger (Member, District 4)
Dan Roberts (Member, District 15)
Shay Shelnutt (Member, District 17)
Robert Stewart (Member)
April Weaver (Member, District 14)
Jack W. Williams (Member, District 34)

Find your senator (or confirm district/contact details) here: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/senate-leaders-members
Many senators have direct emails in the format [email protected] (e.g., [email protected]) and office phones through the legislature at (334) 261-0800 for general Senate contact. Personal district offices are often listed on their individual profiles via the ALISON site.
Bill text for reference:https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/HB128-eng.pdf
Together, we can help protect and expand access to safe, evidence-based birth options—like licensed midwifery and birth centers—for every Alabama family. Let's make our voices heard!

12/02/2025

Invitation to Support Eliza's Legacy This Holiday Season

Dear Alabama Birth Coalition Community,
As the holiday lights twinkle and the warmth of the Christmas spirit fills our hearts, we pause to reflect on the profound gifts of life, love, and legacy that connect us all. At this time of year, when giving feels especially meaningful, we wanted to gently share an opportunity close to home—one that honors a remarkable young life and continues to touch so many others.
We're inviting you to consider supporting Eliza's Legacy, a cherished charity in Alabama dedicated to [advancing compassionate maternity care, honoring the memory of a beloved daughter through initiatives that support families in their birthing journeys—empowering choices, education, and healing in our communities]. Founded in the wake of heartbreaking loss, Eliza's Legacy carries forward a story of resilience and hope, ensuring that no family walks alone during one of life's most sacred moments.

Your support, in whatever form feels right—whether a small donation, a shared story, or simply spreading the word—helps sustain their vital work. Every act of kindness ripples outward, much like the quiet strength of a mother's embrace.

If you'd like to learn more about Eliza's inspiring story and the beautiful mission of Eliza's Legacy. And for a deeper dive into the advocacy and community-building that drives us forward, explore the Alabama Birth Coalition's site at [alabamabirthcoalition.org].
From all of us at ABC, thank you for being part of this circle of care. Wishing you and yours a season filled with peace, joy, and the miracle of new beginnings.

With heartfelt gratitude,
The Alabama Birth Coalition Team

P.S. To contribute, simply click [donate link] or reply to this post—we're here if you have questions. No pressure, just an open hand extended in the spirit of the season.

05/02/2025

🎉 We WON! 🎉

We’re thrilled to share that Alabama Birth Center, alongside Oasis Family Birthing Center, Birth Sanctuary Gainesville, and ACLU of Alabama, has secured a landmark legal victory for birthing rights in Alabama!

The lawsuit was filed in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Montgomery by the ACLU, ACLU of Alabama, and Bobby Segall of Copeland Franco on behalf of: Oasis Family Birthing Center, Dr. Heather Skanes, Alabama Birth Center, Dr. Yashica Robinson, Jo Crawford, CPM, Tracie Stone, CPM, and The Alabama affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

The judge issued a permanent judgment and injunction, stating:

"The Court hereby DECLARES ... that freestanding birth centers operating in the midwifery model of care are not 'hospitals' under section 22-21-20(1) of the Alabama Code and, therefore, ADPH has no authority to require these centers to obtain a hospital license or to regulate them as hospitals."

💥 If ADPH had been allowed to regulate birth centers, they would have imposed unnecessary and inappropriate restrictions that violate the rights of midwives, patients, and birth center operators.

This is a HUGE win for:
✔️ Birth freedom
✔️ Midwifery care
✔️ Families seeking safe, respectful options for birth

🌟 The future of birth in Alabama just got a whole lot brighter. 🌟

04/25/2025

We stand with ALMA on this!

The Alabama House Health Committee approved a dwindled down version of Senate Bill 87 which initially aimed to give midwives the ability to conduct newborn scre

04/23/2025

Take a look at this map. What do you see? I see provision of service for health for baby and mom. I see reach of compassion. And I see solid evidence that doctors are not in a position to provide for all alabamaians. And with a little bit more attention respect and provision our midwives can reach those last few counties.

Sb87 was built with the intention of improving access to care. It has been hijacked. Needs to be fixed or die.

They're going to make a decision on this tomorrow.

Please call your representative in the house and tell them to vote down or fix SB 87.

04/03/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9Fd0tR9du/?igsh=dGttOWxydDdjOXhs

Watch this!

03/30/2025

SB87 will likely be going to the senate floor sometime this week.

We will be watchdogs as much as possible. Please be ready to call your representatives to let your voice be heard!

The current language is hostile to midwives and needs a modification!!!

03/22/2025

Important disclosures! Our long endured fight for midwives is far from over. Please watch what you have time for, share, and above all... Communicate with your representatives!

March 19th 2025, Senate Meeting in Alabama. Commentary on the circumstances around and in the meeting, and the unfortunate aftermath of the next day.

03/21/2025

ALERT!!!!!
SB87 Passed committee today without equal consideration for the Pro-midwifery constituency.

They snuck in a sub to the bill that modifies the language to be inconsiderate of the actual health of the baby. This is about newborn screenings - intended to save the precious lives in a time-sensitive moment. By restricting midwives from fully realizing the scope of practice, as outlined by NARM, our legislation is endangering our babies.