Midwife charged in DC? Karen Carr, CPM...

[Anonymous]

For women, yes. For babies, apparently not.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, so can my lawyer -- he's really competent and puts me at ease. In fact, so does my plumber. Maybe I'll ask my son's nursery school teacher to deliver my next one --- she's good at letting people go at their own pace. Whatever. Why not just do your homework and find an awesome OB? My OB is one of the nicest, most reassuring people I know. And he went to med school and has delivered babies for 20+ years. It's not that hard to find a REAL doctor who is trained and licensed who will treat you with respect and "hear" you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to imagine that any OB who was convicted of similar felonies would have all their licenses to practice medicine removed.

Yet Karen Carr evidently has no difficulty maintaining her CPM "credential". Has NARM said a word to indicate that she is under investigation due to admitting that she was guilty of child endangerment?

Ah, but we have to remember that an OB wouldn't ever be convicted of similar felonies, even if he had done the same exact things. We have a wonderful malpractice system which completely protects them while allowing parents to get a payout. Plus, public opinion tends to support the doctor, even in cases where the baby dies. Everyone assumes "he did everything he could." The fact that Karen Carr was charged with felonies in the first place was a disgrace to our justice system, in my opinion. I agree with the poster who is wondering what the hell Boucher was thinking - I can only imagine that she was under enormous pressure by the doctors in this situation, who want nothing more than to stamp out homebirth.

Do you even know any OBs? Every single one I know has had a lawsuit, and yes, they had all done "all they could." Because, you know, they were in hospitals with teams of healthcare professionals and equipment and years of knowledge about how to handle emergencies. And yet, the parents still got money. Don't tell me about how public opinion (in juries anyway) tends to support doctors. It tends to support the parents of damaged and dead children.

And really, you think that all the local OBs banded together and got this woman indicted? They're too busy delivering babies. This is quite the conspiracy theory, though. Please continue.

No, that is the job of the hospital attorneys. They were on the job here. Nobody wants to be holding a dead baby and have to explain how they did or did not contribute to its death. Just an FYI - It WAS an MD who filed the report on the Alexandria baby to the Dept of Health Pros and Regs. Not too busy to do that I guess.

Yes, it was the neonatologist who presided over the death of that poor innocent baby who had to report the death. Do you think this brought any joy to that doctor or to any of the staff who cared for that precious baby during his last days? Hospital staff are MANDATED to report these types of situations, it is the LAW. And I for one am glad of it.

[Anonymous]

Wow. The level of hatred and venom in this debate is astounding. It's hard for me to understand why it is so outrageous to allow women to decide who will assist them in childbirth. I believe that all options should be available...from planned c-section to unattended birth. It's your prerogative. If you want a "REAL" doctor as the PP said, get one. If you want a CPM, get one. KC does not force herself on anyone so why is it her presence so threatening to people? We live in the "information age" so moms who are thinking of hiring her will have LOTS of information about her online now that so much has been written. Let people make their own decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to imagine that any OB who was convicted of similar felonies would have all their licenses to practice medicine removed.

Yet Karen Carr evidently has no difficulty maintaining her CPM "credential". Has NARM said a word to indicate that she is under investigation due to admitting that she was guilty of child endangerment?

Ah, but we have to remember that an OB wouldn't ever be convicted of similar felonies, even if he had done the same exact things. We have a wonderful malpractice system which completely protects them while allowing parents to get a payout. Plus, public opinion tends to support the doctor, even in cases where the baby dies. Everyone assumes "he did everything he could." The fact that Karen Carr was charged with felonies in the first place was a disgrace to our justice system, in my opinion. I agree with the poster who is wondering what the hell Boucher was thinking - I can only imagine that she was under enormous pressure by the doctors in this situation, who want nothing more than to stamp out homebirth.

Do you even know any OBs? Every single one I know has had a lawsuit, and yes, they had all done "all they could." Because, you know, they were in hospitals with teams of healthcare professionals and equipment and years of knowledge about how to handle emergencies. And yet, the parents still got money. Don't tell me about how public opinion (in juries anyway) tends to support doctors. It tends to support the parents of damaged and dead children.

And really, you think that all the local OBs banded together and got this woman indicted? They're too busy delivering babies. This is quite the conspiracy theory, though. Please continue.

No, that is the job of the hospital attorneys. They were on the job here. Nobody wants to be holding a dead baby and have to explain how they did or did not contribute to its death. Just an FYI - It WAS an MD who filed the report on the Alexandria baby to the Dept of Health Pros and Regs. Not too busy to do that I guess.

Hmm, there's a big difference between OBs banding together to pursue legal action, and an OB reporting that a baby who came in had been delivered by someone who is incompetent. If I spent 8 years of my life becoming an OB, you'd better believe that I would file reports for gross negligence during homebirths as well. No one else seems to care about the baby.

More lies and gossip-milling. What evidence do you have that Carr is incompetent? What evidence do you have that she was grossly negligent? You have none.

Her plea agreement. She admitted to be negligent in her plea agreement:Carr, by accepting the plea, acknowledged that she was not licensed to work as a midwife at the time and that the baby died as a result of her negligence.

She agreed so she wouldn't go to jail. It doesn't mean jack about guilt. Go back and read some of the posts on this topic. Again - nobody has offered any good reason why Boucher, the assistant DA, offered the plea. If she was so damned guilty then why bargain? Get the killer of the streets or sit down. Why parade this around and then offer the plea? Help me out here. I truly cannot get this. If a reporter is poking around in here - go ask the DA some better questions.

She did it so those the devastated parents would not have to go through a trial. Can you imagine the circus Carr and her supporters would have created? Parading their healthy babies in front of the grieving mother and father? How sick is that?

[Anonymous]

PP above, "she " meaning the prosecutor , Boucher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to imagine that any OB who was convicted of similar felonies would have all their licenses to practice medicine removed.

Yet Karen Carr evidently has no difficulty maintaining her CPM "credential". Has NARM said a word to indicate that she is under investigation due to admitting that she was guilty of child endangerment?

Ah, but we have to remember that an OB wouldn't ever be convicted of similar felonies, even if he had done the same exact things. We have a wonderful malpractice system which completely protects them while allowing parents to get a payout. Plus, public opinion tends to support the doctor, even in cases where the baby dies. Everyone assumes "he did everything he could." The fact that Karen Carr was charged with felonies in the first place was a disgrace to our justice system, in my opinion. I agree with the poster who is wondering what the hell Boucher was thinking - I can only imagine that she was under enormous pressure by the doctors in this situation, who want nothing more than to stamp out homebirth.

Do you even know any OBs? Every single one I know has had a lawsuit, and yes, they had all done "all they could." Because, you know, they were in hospitals with teams of healthcare professionals and equipment and years of knowledge about how to handle emergencies. And yet, the parents still got money. Don't tell me about how public opinion (in juries anyway) tends to support doctors. It tends to support the parents of damaged and dead children.

And really, you think that all the local OBs banded together and got this woman indicted? They're too busy delivering babies. This is quite the conspiracy theory, though. Please continue.

No, that is the job of the hospital attorneys. They were on the job here. Nobody wants to be holding a dead baby and have to explain how they did or did not contribute to its death. Just an FYI - It WAS an MD who filed the report on the Alexandria baby to the Dept of Health Pros and Regs. Not too busy to do that I guess.

Hmm, there's a big difference between OBs banding together to pursue legal action, and an OB reporting that a baby who came in had been delivered by someone who is incompetent. If I spent 8 years of my life becoming an OB, you'd better believe that I would file reports for gross negligence during homebirths as well. No one else seems to care about the baby.

More lies and gossip-milling. What evidence do you have that Carr is incompetent? What evidence do you have that she was grossly negligent? You have none.

Her plea agreement. She admitted to be negligent in her plea agreement:Carr, by accepting the plea, acknowledged that she was not licensed to work as a midwife at the time and that the baby died as a result of her negligence.

She agreed so she wouldn't go to jail. It doesn't mean jack about guilt. Go back and read some of the posts on this topic. Again - nobody has offered any good reason why Boucher, the assistant DA, offered the plea. If she was so damned guilty then why bargain? Get the killer of the streets or sit down. Why parade this around and then offer the plea? Help me out here. I truly cannot get this. If a reporter is poking around in here - go ask the DA some better questions.

She did it so those the devastated parents would not have to go through a trial. Can you imagine the circus Carr and her supporters would have created? Parading their healthy babies in front of the grieving mother and father? How sick is that?

Well the father was on the prosecution witness list. So, there is that. The father was expected to testify.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to imagine that any OB who was convicted of similar felonies would have all their licenses to practice medicine removed.

Yet Karen Carr evidently has no difficulty maintaining her CPM "credential". Has NARM said a word to indicate that she is under investigation due to admitting that she was guilty of child endangerment?

Ah, but we have to remember that an OB wouldn't ever be convicted of similar felonies, even if he had done the same exact things. We have a wonderful malpractice system which completely protects them while allowing parents to get a payout. Plus, public opinion tends to support the doctor, even in cases where the baby dies. Everyone assumes "he did everything he could." The fact that Karen Carr was charged with felonies in the first place was a disgrace to our justice system, in my opinion. I agree with the poster who is wondering what the hell Boucher was thinking - I can only imagine that she was under enormous pressure by the doctors in this situation, who want nothing more than to stamp out homebirth.

Do you even know any OBs? Every single one I know has had a lawsuit, and yes, they had all done "all they could." Because, you know, they were in hospitals with teams of healthcare professionals and equipment and years of knowledge about how to handle emergencies. And yet, the parents still got money. Don't tell me about how public opinion (in juries anyway) tends to support doctors. It tends to support the parents of damaged and dead children.

And really, you think that all the local OBs banded together and got this woman indicted? They're too busy delivering babies. This is quite the conspiracy theory, though. Please continue.

No, that is the job of the hospital attorneys. They were on the job here. Nobody wants to be holding a dead baby and have to explain how they did or did not contribute to its death. Just an FYI - It WAS an MD who filed the report on the Alexandria baby to the Dept of Health Pros and Regs. Not too busy to do that I guess.

Hmm, there's a big difference between OBs banding together to pursue legal action, and an OB reporting that a baby who came in had been delivered by someone who is incompetent. If I spent 8 years of my life becoming an OB, you'd better believe that I would file reports for gross negligence during homebirths as well. No one else seems to care about the baby.

More lies and gossip-milling. What evidence do you have that Carr is incompetent? What evidence do you have that she was grossly negligent? You have none.

Her plea agreement. She admitted to be negligent in her plea agreement:Carr, by accepting the plea, acknowledged that she was not licensed to work as a midwife at the time and that the baby died as a result of her negligence.

She agreed so she wouldn't go to jail. It doesn't mean jack about guilt. Go back and read some of the posts on this topic. Again - nobody has offered any good reason why Boucher, the assistant DA, offered the plea. If she was so damned guilty then why bargain? Get the killer of the streets or sit down. Why parade this around and then offer the plea? Help me out here. I truly cannot get this. If a reporter is poking around in here - go ask the DA some better questions.

She did it so those the devastated parents would not have to go through a trial. Can you imagine the circus Carr and her supporters would have created? Parading their healthy babies in front of the grieving mother and father? How sick is that?

One was on the initial prosecution witness list so they (Boucher et al )were prepared to parade at least one of the parents up there.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the identity of the doula?

[Anonymous]

To 20:25 - Then is it ok for me to take my child to a dentist who operates out of the back of a van? Can I deliver my grandchild at home? Can I administer drugs? And by the way, Carr is making a living doing this --- she's getting paid. Can I charge folks and do tattoos in my house without being licensed? Probably not -- but you think Carr can deliver babies and provide medical care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to imagine that any OB who was convicted of similar felonies would have all their licenses to practice medicine removed.

Yet Karen Carr evidently has no difficulty maintaining her CPM "credential". Has NARM said a word to indicate that she is under investigation due to admitting that she was guilty of child endangerment?

Ah, but we have to remember that an OB wouldn't ever be convicted of similar felonies, even if he had done the same exact things. We have a wonderful malpractice system which completely protects them while allowing parents to get a payout. Plus, public opinion tends to support the doctor, even in cases where the baby dies. Everyone assumes "he did everything he could." The fact that Karen Carr was charged with felonies in the first place was a disgrace to our justice system, in my opinion. I agree with the poster who is wondering what the hell Boucher was thinking - I can only imagine that she was under enormous pressure by the doctors in this situation, who want nothing more than to stamp out homebirth.

Do you even know any OBs? Every single one I know has had a lawsuit, and yes, they had all done "all they could." Because, you know, they were in hospitals with teams of healthcare professionals and equipment and years of knowledge about how to handle emergencies. And yet, the parents still got money. Don't tell me about how public opinion (in juries anyway) tends to support doctors. It tends to support the parents of damaged and dead children.

And really, you think that all the local OBs banded together and got this woman indicted? They're too busy delivering babies. This is quite the conspiracy theory, though. Please continue.

No, that is the job of the hospital attorneys. They were on the job here. Nobody wants to be holding a dead baby and have to explain how they did or did not contribute to its death. Just an FYI - It WAS an MD who filed the report on the Alexandria baby to the Dept of Health Pros and Regs. Not too busy to do that I guess.

Yes, it was the neonatologist who presided over the death of that poor innocent baby who had to report the death. Do you think this brought any joy to that doctor or to any of the staff who cared for that precious baby during his last days? Hospital staff are MANDATED to report these types of situations, it is the LAW. And I for one am glad of it.

What kind of situation? A home birth gone bad?

[Anonymous]

I just saw this posted. I know Mairi and Brynne and they are both solid people. I don't know the MD. Should be a very good talk, especially because Brynne is from NARM

Midwifery in our Region
COMMENTS (0)SHARE
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011 AT 12:06 P.M. in HEALTH, LAW, POLITICS, SCIENCE, SOCIETY
A midwife in our region recently pled guilty to two felony counts in the death of a baby delivered at home. The case re-ignited a longstanding debate about "natural" versus "medicalized" birth. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists note increased risks for both baby and mother in home deliveries. Natural birth proponents point to complications from hospital interventions that are often avoidable. We'll explore the debate.

Guests

Mairi Breen Rothman
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), co-founder of the Metro Area Midwives and Allied Services
David Downing
Attending OB-GYN physician at Washington Hospital Center.
Brynne Potter
Certified Professional Midwife; Public Relations director for the “Commonwealth Midwives Alliance." On Board of the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
Login or register to post comments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. The level of hatred and venom in this debate is astounding. It's hard for me to understand why it is so outrageous to allow women to decide who will assist them in childbirth. I believe that all options should be available...from planned c-section to unattended birth. It's your prerogative. If you want a "REAL" doctor as the PP said, get one. If you want a CPM, get one. KC does not force herself on anyone so why is it her presence so threatening to people? We live in the "information age" so moms who are thinking of hiring her will have LOTS of information about her online now that so much has been written. Let people make their own decisions.

Do you also have this belief about other professions. If I want to offer abortions in a back alley, with no license, standards, or prearranged backup, is that ok with you? If I've watched a lot of tv shows about courtroom procedures and want to call myself a lawyer, should I be allowed to charge people for my services? If I study up on electricity will you hire me to do your electric work? I promise I'll try real hard to make sure your house doesn't blow up!

I don't get why people think childbirth and midwives should be in a special class. We have licensing laws for a reason, and the reason is not reactionary prejudice and restraint of trade. It's to ensure basic competence and adherence to standards of care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just saw this posted. I know Mairi and Brynne and they are both solid people. I don't know the MD. Should be a very good talk, especially because Brynne is from NARM

Midwifery in our Region
COMMENTS (0)SHARE
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011 AT 12:06 P.M. in HEALTH, LAW, POLITICS, SCIENCE, SOCIETY
A midwife in our region recently pled guilty to two felony counts in the death of a baby delivered at home. The case re-ignited a longstanding debate about "natural" versus "medicalized" birth. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists note increased risks for both baby and mother in home deliveries. Natural birth proponents point to complications from hospital interventions that are often avoidable. We'll explore the debate.

Guests

Mairi Breen Rothman
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), co-founder of the Metro Area Midwives and Allied Services
David Downing
Attending OB-GYN physician at Washington Hospital Center.
Brynne Potter
Certified Professional Midwife; Public Relations director for the “Commonwealth Midwives Alliance." On Board of the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
Login or register to post comments

I'm sorry! I forgot to post the link.
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-05-16/midwifery-our-region

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just saw this posted. I know Mairi and Brynne and they are both solid people. I don't know the MD. Should be a very good talk, especially because Brynne is from NARM

Midwifery in our Region
COMMENTS (0)SHARE
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011 AT 12:06 P.M. in HEALTH, LAW, POLITICS, SCIENCE, SOCIETY
A midwife in our region recently pled guilty to two felony counts in the death of a baby delivered at home. The case re-ignited a longstanding debate about "natural" versus "medicalized" birth. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists note increased risks for both baby and mother in home deliveries. Natural birth proponents point to complications from hospital interventions that are often avoidable. We'll explore the debate.

Guests

Mairi Breen Rothman
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), co-founder of the Metro Area Midwives and Allied Services
David Downing
Attending OB-GYN physician at Washington Hospital Center.
Brynne Potter
Certified Professional Midwife; Public Relations director for the “Commonwealth Midwives Alliance." On Board of the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
Login or register to post comments

I'm sorry! I forgot to post the link.
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-05-16/midwifery-our-region

So, i am curious to know if KC will get her CPM taken away. I mean if you have felonies related to (or not related to) birth practce, can you still be a CPM? I think CNMs have sort of long process review board thing.