ACOG says it's OK to have more than ice chips!

Another reason to choose midwives... read on...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 25, 2009)—Displaying a stunning lack of regard for patient autonomy, the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a statement this week declaring that the group
will “allow” laboring women to drink “modest amounts” of clear fluids during labor while continuing to
prohibit access to solid food.

“Once again ACOG has issued a position statement with little regard for the evidence or for the ability of
women to make decisions for themselves,” said Susan Jenkins, Legal Counsel for The Big Push for
Midwives Campaign. “It’s insulting that ACOG actually believes that laboring women should be grateful
that they will now be ‘allowed’ to have more than just ice chips, when we have long known how vital
nutritional sustenance is to mothers and babies not only during pregnancy, but during labor as well.”

Hospitals routinely adopt ACOG position statements as standard policy governing the treatment of
pregnant and laboring women, despite the fact that a number of the organization’s position statements do
not acknowledge all of the risks and benefits associated with common procedures.

To read full Press Release see link below.

http://www.thebigpushformidwives.org/_ccLib/downloads/8-25-2009_PushNews_RELEASE_Physician_Group_Pulls_the_Plug_on_Women’s_Autonomy.pdf