A Brief History of the Attack on Gloria Lemay
Updated 9/26/02
-compiled by LLM. On this page are photos from the
Birth Freedom Rally held at the Supreme Court
Building in Vancouver, British Columbia on Dec.
5, 2001.
Gloria
Lemay on the courthouse steps
For years, homebirth attendant Gloria Lemay has
been the subject of harassment and litigation
by the leaders of the College of Midwives of BC.
They apparently feel threatened by her success
as a birth attendant and teacher (she is very
popular among clients, as well as in the international
midwifery community), and do everything within
their power to not only remove her from practice-
but now, it seems, to put her in jail.
Why are they so eager to attack?- I spoke with
Jane Kilthei, Registrar of the College: she said
that Gloria is a threat to the public safety.
This I cannot fathom: with a 0.4% episiotomy rate
and a c-section rate that is only slightly higher,
Gloria is just about the safest professional birth
attendant to have around. She is renowned for
her hands-off, gentle approach to helping women
birth their babies.
Following is a brief representation of what Gloria
has met and dealt with from the College since
October 22, 1999.
On this page:
About Gloria
"West Coast midwife, Gloria Lemay, is without
question the hardest working, longest serving,
most outgoing midwife Canada can call her own."
- Catherine Young, Editor, The Compleat Mother,
Fall '98
"Gloria, you are one of the most honorable
women I know. Thank you for your strength and
perseverance. I love you dearly."
- Jan Tritten, Editor, Midwifery Today Magazine
"In l997, my massage therapist recommended
I attend Gloria's slide show on waterbirth- I
thought he was crazy. I had had 3 very good hospital
birth experiences. I had my eyes opened to the
true nature of giving birth that night and have
now had two home waterbirths! What a difference."
- Marlene Brajak, New Westminster, BC (May
2000)
From 1985 to 2002
Gloria
Lemay: Symbol of the Spirit of Birth Freely Given
A background to what is going on now, read about
the interim injunction brought against Gloria
on 10/22/99, and then about the injunction on
2/2/2000.
I N N
O C E N C E Mary Sullivan, Gloria Lemay's
former midwifery partner, has written about what's
going on with Gloria and the BC College of Midwives
in 2002; as well as about the case she faced with
Gloria that led them to the Supreme Court of Canada
in 1991. Very important background to the level
of witch hunting that Gloria is currently facing.
Chronology
of the Current Case against Gloria Lemay Significant
dates and events are outlined, from 1998 to the
present.
Why Gloria was Charged with
Contempt of Court in 2002
-by LLM
Gloria was charged for breaking the conditions
of her injunction. The College of Midwives charged
that she performed "midwifery" acts
that are restricted to the College of Midwives
of BC.
They are as following (as documented in Section
4 of the Midwives Regulation, B.C. 103/95, O.C.
269/95):
- (a) the conducting of internal vaginal examinations
of women during pregnancy, labour, delivery
and the postpartum period,
- (b) the management of spontaneous normal
vaginal deliveries; and
- (c) the performance of episiotomies and amniotomies
during labour and repair of episiotomies and
simple lacerations.
She performed a vaginal exam (a check for cervical
openness), did an episiotomy (the cutting of a
woman's perineum to facilitate a speedy birth),
and performed an amniotomy (see following). All
of these acts were emergencies, as was sworn to
in an affidavit by obstetrical nurse and birth
attendant Cindy Milner, RN.
Why were these acts performed? In summary:
A pelvic exam was done; it was critical to do
one in that particular case to assist the mother
in having a peaceful, safe birth.
An episiotomy was performed: this was done in
a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC). The mother
had been gently pushing for 5 hours and the baby's
heartbeat started to go way up (over 200; this
is a critical emergency). After the cut the mother
gave birth quickly, and the baby was fine. Gloria
has only done 4 episiotomies in 1000 births attended,
and those were for concerns about the baby's life.
As was stated in Court, this was the first episiotomy
done by Gloria in 12 years.
An "amniotomy" was performed. An amniotomy
is the releasing of a mother's bag of waters.
This is usually done with the assistance of an
amnihook; a crochet hook-like implement. In the
case the College attacked Gloria for, Gloria jiggled
a woman's bag of waters with her fingers, and
the membranes easily released (water "broke").
Gloria had encouraged the mother to do this herself
after a very long and tiring second stage (time
when the baby is actively coming out); exhausted,
the mother asked Gloria to do it. Gloria did-
expediting the birth for both mother's and baby's
well-being.
Gloria's performing of the restricted acts were
due to the occurrence of emergencies. Had she
not done them out of fear of retribution by the
College of Midwives, women and babies might have
suffered. She was mandated as a caring, learned
human being to do them. The fact that these women
chose Gloria to be their birth attendant and are
pleased with their care should be good enough
for the College of Midwives of BC; only when twisted
and coloured outside of reality can Gloria's acts
be made to seem criminal and dangerous.
The College's lawyer's colourful descriptions
of Gloria's performance of these acts, compounded
with inflammatory ruminating about the integrity
of Gloria's character, prompted the Judge to find
Gloria guilty of both criminal and civil contempt
of Court. Being an observer in the courtroom was
very frustrating for me personally- the absolutely
slanderous conjuring by the College regarding
Gloria's practice and self were heartstopping...
as was the judge's belief and tolerance of it
all.
Now Gloria is awaiting sentencing. It is felt
by some that the Judge will "throw the book
at her", much to the College's creepy delight.
But as one mother says- if Gloria goes to jail,
women's freedom of choice will go right along
with her. What the College, the Court, and the
easily-manipulated populace who read the newspapers
fail to understand is that it is every woman's
inherent right to give birth as she sees fit,
with whomever she sees fit in attendance. Birth
is not a political event to be used as a platform
for ego trips, personal attacks or political posturing-
it is an exquisitely private event that must be
given in a woman's absolute freedom, and best
discretion. What a slap in the face to women everywhere
is this crass criminalization of Gloria Lemay-
arguably one of the finest midwives in the world
today.
Women have overwhelmingly shown that they want
Gloria to attend them in their homebirths: and
they must be respected as the conscious, sentient
adult women that they are.
One of the arguments used against Gloria is that
she was invited to join the College of Midwives,
but she refused. I personally would find it repugnant
to join an organization that brings the medical
approach of hospital birth to a homebirth situation-
with routine immediate cord clamping and aggressive
treatment of the newborn, and infamous strong-arm
labor and birth management for mothers. I would
not sell my midwife's soul for a piece of registration
paper- and I'm sure Gloria wouldn't want to, either.
From Gloria Lemay about the
Case
"I live in Vancouver, BC Canada. I have
been in the birth business for 23 years and I
love it. As you may know, I have been recently
convicted of criminal contempt of court. I accepted
an injunction from the Honourable Mr. Justice
Curtis 2 years ago because I knew I could obey
it.
His ruling allowed for:
1. women to help other women at births and earn
money for doing so;
2. me, specifically, to continue to teach midwifery.
Obeying the injunction meant that I would have
to absolutely discipline and train myself to not
use the word "midwife" to describe myself.
I did this and the judge in the contempt matter
noted this. I have no problem with giving up the
word "midwife". It seems to be the thing
that has always created trouble for me and I just
can't understand the meaning some people have
for it. In my province it has come to mean "good
team player who covers her butt."
Although my pursuers are called the College of
Midwives, they are not educators and they are
not "with woman". It is a regulatory
and disciplinary body. The members (60) must follow
College protocols and maintain hospital privileges.
Having happy, satisfied clients is not required
and complaints from the public fall on deaf ears.
The sum total of personnel is the Registrar and
a part time secretary in a small office in an
old hospital. Registrants of the College are terrified
of their governing body and they have been cautioned
in writing by a woman lawyer not to go near that
office without a lawyer beside them. They have
hired 3 different investigators that I know of
to spy on my activities. I feel flattered that
they're so interested in me.
As bad as it gets in the court system, every
day I give thanks that I did not register with
the College of Midwives. I have had four years
of the best experiences ever as a birth attendant.
I have not had to hurt or "strip" anyone
[strip membranes, sweep the cervix away from the
amniotic sac- a method of induction of labor well
known to registered midwives] in order to retain
a license. No baby received erythromycin eye cream
or vitamin K injections from me. I have not had
to please any physician or hospital administrator.
I have been able to look my clients and myself
in the eye. I have been forced into a simpler,
less invasive style of practice and now find it
to be full of wonder. My clients love and respect
me and none would testify for the ones who wish
me in jail. Few people in the world ever get to
experience the kind of joyful work I have had
in the past four years. No one can take that away
from me.
When I go into court it can be harsh, but I would
rather face a judge with some skills in human
rights and tenets of law than face a disciplinary
committee in a professional body that has to produce
a few sacrificial lambs each year in order to
justify its existence to the Government. Please
don't feel angry or worried about me- feel inspired
about how strong we are."
Articles and Letters about
What's Going On
In Support
of Truth and Freedom to the Whistler Pique
Letters by Gloria Lemay and Patricia Blomme
to a magazine about the whole case. Gloria finally
writes about her outrage at being attacked. This
page includes pictures.
The College of Midwives of BC Casts Long Shadows
into their own Tenuous, Uncertain Future: A Brief
History of their Most Recent Attacks Against Gloria
Lemay (Or, "Fun with Jane") Read
article here
(12/11/01) The College of Midwives is at it again-
desecrating women's free choice, and making themselves
look really bad in the process. This details my
day in Court with College registrar Jane Kiltheir,
sitting right behind me.
A Woman's
Body, A Woman's Birth, A Woman's Choice! Sherri-Lee
Pressman talks about the case against Gloria-
and the outrage of women's rights being maligned.
What's at
Stake in the Prosecution of Gloria Lemay?
An absolutely brilliant discussion by Andrea Wiseman-
mother, artist and writer.
Birthing Skye:
A Luscions, Lovely Waterbirth of my Senses
A BirthLove column that describes my birth with
Gloria- an experience that made this website possible.
The Gifts My
Birth Has Given Me Jill Culver talks about
how much growth and healing her homebirth with
Gloria facilitated in her.
Letters
Written in Freedom's Support Three women sound
off about what freedom means to them. Says one
woman- "In Vancouver, my home town, it could
soon be impossible for me to hire Gloria Lemay,
a Private Birth Attendant in whom I have complete
confidence, to attend my birth. This makes no
sense. Is the B.C College of Midwives saying that
I don't know enough to choose who puts their fingers
up my vagina?"
Letter from Dominique Hogan Dominique writes
the BC government in support of her right to give
birth as she pleases. Excerpted: "To force
a woman to only choose between two government
regulated options for birthing is not democratic,
it is tyrannical."
Letter from Gail Dahl
From: Gail
Dahl
To: The
Vancouver Sun
1/15/02
To The Vancouver Sun Editor,
The recently heard case of the BC College of
Midwives shows that the College, once again, is
attempting to create a monopoly on birth, by attempting
to obtain a ruling that will make it illegal to
assist yourself or someone else during childbirth.
They have previously lost this case and once again
are using taxpayer's money to bring this up in
court. As the time before, these charges have
been put into place by the College, not the consumer.
As in the previous case against Gloria Lemay this
is a tremendous waste of taxpayer's money. It
is time the BC College of Midwives be made to
answer for this foolish waste of time and resources.
-Gail J. Dahl, Executive Director, The Canadian
Childbirth Association
Author, Pregnancy
and Childbirth Tips
Where to Send Your Letters
Letters mailed are the most effective form of
communication. Emails are not even read usually.
Faxed is second best. For every letter received,
the government assumes there are another 200 people
who feel the same way but haven't written.
College of Midwives of B.C.
4500 Oak St., F503
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3N1
Attn: Jane Kilthei, Registrar
Attn: Board of Directors
Hon. Colin Hansen
Minister of Health
6-2, 1515 Blanshard St
Victoria BC
V8N 3C8
Health Professions Council of BC
#680 1500 West Georgia St
Vancouver, BC
V6G 3A9
Tel. 604 775 3582
How You Can Help
Many people have been asking how to donate to
the appeal process which Gloria Lemay will be
undertaking. The Homebirth Association of B.C.
has started a $25 campaign. If 1000 people donate
$25 each we can raise $25,000 without stress on
any one household. (For those of you in the U.S.,
$25 in U.S. funds is about $44 Canadian.) To make
donations, contact Sherri-Lee
Pressman in Langley, B.C. at 604-514- 9327.
She can process MasterCard and Visa.
Or send a cheque made out to Peter Ritchie (the
lawyer) to:
Sherrie Lee Pressman
4636-218A Street
Langley, BC
V3A 8H8
Canada
Sherrie-Lee will ensure it gets to the lawyers.
All the money collected will be for Gloria's appeal
fund. Please let Sherri-Lee know if you want to
be on an acknowledgement list or if you wish to
remain anonymous. Thanks for your support of birth
freedom for Canadian women.
Relevant Links
Gloria Lemay on
the BirthLove Site Gloria is a Contributing
Expert to this website. This page is an index
of her articles, quotes and teaching.
Becoming
an Agent of Change: What to Do When Your
Midwife Has Been Charged -by Katherine Prown,
PhD in Midwifery Today Magazine.
Radical BC Birth
Stats So what kind of birth does the BC government
want for families? Well- lots of cesareans, lots
of vacuum and forceps extractions, lots of hospitalization...
and as a sad product of it all, lots of pain.
The Petition
for the Rights of Childbearing Women This
Petition was created in 1998 due to the College's
initial attacking on Gloria Lemay. It has evolved
into an international sounding board for women
and men to denounce brutal obstetrical birth practices,
and reclaim birth as every woman's birth rite.
Note that this contains many current signatures
from local people affronted by the attacks on
Gloria.
26
Ways to Change Birth Globally -by Sara Wickham,
RM in Midwifery Today Magazine.
A Global
Witch-Hunt -by Marsden Wagner, MD. By far
most of the witch-hunted are the independent,
female midwives. This examines the key underlying
issues of witch-hunts: money, power, sex, and
choice.
The
Witch Hunt- An International Persecution of Quality
Midwifery -by Beverly Lawrence Beech and Pat
Thomas from the AIMS Journal, Summer 1999.
Citizens
for Midwifery Crucial information on how to
make change for women in birth.
BirthLove's
Homebirth Safety Links
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