My name is Kelly Collins and I am a full spectrum doula and family consultant serving the Triangle area of North Carolina. I have been a professional family caregiver for over 20 years and being a birthworker for the last few years has opened my eyes to the deeper needs of new parents and families. During the global pandemic, North Carolina saw an enormous increase in requests for doula services, midwifery care and home births, especially in the black community.

With hospitals implementing strict guidelines and policies for safety, many individuals had concerns about giving birth alone and not being supported the way they needed or wanted. As an aspiring midwife, I was very disheartened to continously hear that my doula clients were not able to get in touch with or secure a CNM (certified nurse midwife) in a timely manner because North Carolina has a very short list of CNMs that can assist with home births.

One of my top priorities for 2021 is working with other doulas, birthworkers and health care providers to change the North Carolina law that Certified Professional Midwives are prohibited to assist in a home birth. It is also noted that most practicing CNMs have hospital privileges and do not assist with home births. We must take action on this matter now so that more families have the birth they desire and have access to personalized prenatal and postpartum care. Please sign the petition below and tell the North Carolina General Assembly that they have the power to change how new parents receive support and care during pregnancy, labor and birth.