Lily
06-09-07, 03:46 PM
Midwife charged in baby's death
CHEYENNE (AP) — A woman who has worked as a midwife has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license following the death of a baby here last year.
Although midwifery is illegal in Wyoming, Susan M. Merrill's former clients are supporting her in court.
A preliminary hearing for Merrill, 52, had been scheduled Friday, but was postponed. About 40 women and their children had planned to appear in court on her behalf.
According to court records, Merrill presided over a birth in a Cheyenne hotel room in April 2006. Authorities say the amniotic sack broke about 33 hours before the baby's delivery, increasing the risk of infection for the mother and daughter. But they say Merrill never suggested the woman receive medical care.
Det. J.F. Gay III of the Cheyenne Police Department said the woman's husband asked Merrill about the risk of infection about 18 hours after the membrane ruptured. According to court records, Merrill assured the woman, ``everything is going to be OK.''
The baby girl later died, and prosecutors brought charges against Merrill this April. She posted a $5,000 cash bond in circuit court on June 1.
Merrill has delivered approximately 400 babies during more than 20 years as a lay-midwife, court papers say. Midwifery has been illegal in Wyoming since 2003. The Wyoming Legislature in 2005 defeated a bill that would have allowed certified midwifes to deliver babies in the state.
Ellen Piver of Cheyenne said she was shocked by the charges against Merrill. Piver said Merrill delivered three of her children without complications — the last in 2004. She said she had no indication that midwifery was illegal in the state.
"I went with a midwife because I wanted options other than a hospital,'' Piver said. She said she was able to walk around the room at home and wasn't given intravenous drugs.
Patricia Kopf said Merrill helped her with her first home birth last year.
"Sue seemed very experienced and comfortable,'' Kopf said. "I hope the charges are dropped and this can be a first step toward home birth being more accepted.''
I wasn't aware that midwifery was actually illegal anywhere. I would never want a midwife out of fear of complications, but I always assumed it was legal. This is one of the stories that you really don't know what to think. After all the safe births, I don't think she actually intentionally killed this one. It's more like an accident, but she really shouldn't have been doing this in the first place knowing it's against the law. I can honestly see both sides of this one.
CHEYENNE (AP) — A woman who has worked as a midwife has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license following the death of a baby here last year.
Although midwifery is illegal in Wyoming, Susan M. Merrill's former clients are supporting her in court.
A preliminary hearing for Merrill, 52, had been scheduled Friday, but was postponed. About 40 women and their children had planned to appear in court on her behalf.
According to court records, Merrill presided over a birth in a Cheyenne hotel room in April 2006. Authorities say the amniotic sack broke about 33 hours before the baby's delivery, increasing the risk of infection for the mother and daughter. But they say Merrill never suggested the woman receive medical care.
Det. J.F. Gay III of the Cheyenne Police Department said the woman's husband asked Merrill about the risk of infection about 18 hours after the membrane ruptured. According to court records, Merrill assured the woman, ``everything is going to be OK.''
The baby girl later died, and prosecutors brought charges against Merrill this April. She posted a $5,000 cash bond in circuit court on June 1.
Merrill has delivered approximately 400 babies during more than 20 years as a lay-midwife, court papers say. Midwifery has been illegal in Wyoming since 2003. The Wyoming Legislature in 2005 defeated a bill that would have allowed certified midwifes to deliver babies in the state.
Ellen Piver of Cheyenne said she was shocked by the charges against Merrill. Piver said Merrill delivered three of her children without complications — the last in 2004. She said she had no indication that midwifery was illegal in the state.
"I went with a midwife because I wanted options other than a hospital,'' Piver said. She said she was able to walk around the room at home and wasn't given intravenous drugs.
Patricia Kopf said Merrill helped her with her first home birth last year.
"Sue seemed very experienced and comfortable,'' Kopf said. "I hope the charges are dropped and this can be a first step toward home birth being more accepted.''
I wasn't aware that midwifery was actually illegal anywhere. I would never want a midwife out of fear of complications, but I always assumed it was legal. This is one of the stories that you really don't know what to think. After all the safe births, I don't think she actually intentionally killed this one. It's more like an accident, but she really shouldn't have been doing this in the first place knowing it's against the law. I can honestly see both sides of this one.