Full Circle Midwifery

01/29/2026

Midwives are already protecting the lives of Mississippi mothers and babies, often in communities where hospitals have closed and care options are limited. It’s time for state policy to reflect that reality.

We are calling on the House Public Health & Human Services Committee to bring forward an immediate discussion on Midwifery licensure, including a the creation of an Advisory Council made up of Midwives, consumers, and medical professionals, that will work to advise the MS Department of Health on matters pertaining to Midwifery.

Mississippi does not need a policy that criminalizes care. We support solutions that expand access, improve safety, and strengthen collaboration.

Ask members of the House Public Health & Human Services Committee to bring up HB 1389 and amend it to define a Midwifery Advisory Council.

01/28/2026

(mailto:screekmore@house.ms.gov)

Subject: Request for Amendments to HB1389 – 2026 Legislative Session

Dear Representative Creekmore,

My name is __________ , and I am a constituent in Mississippi.

I am writing regarding House Bill 1389 for the 2026 legislative session. I appreciate the intent to address maternal and newborn health in our state; however, I am reaching out to respectfully ask whether you would be open to considering amendments to HB1389.

As written, many in the midwifery and community birth worker community are concerned that the bill does not adequately reflect the midwifery model of care or the realities of community-based maternal health. In particular, we are hoping for amendments that would:

- Include midwives directly in the rule-making and regulatory process, rather than placing all authority solely under the Board of Health.
- Protect the mother–baby dyad as a unit of care, including continuity of care through at least 12 weeks postpartum, with consultations beyond that as clinically appropriate.
- Recognize midwives as experts in midwifery whose training and lived experience should meaningfully inform any regulatory framework.

Historically in Mississippi and across the South, home birth midwifery was pushed out through public health systems without meaningful input from community-based and Black midwives. Many of us are concerned about repeating this pattern and believe there is an opportunity instead to create a collaborative, safe, and equitable approach that centers families and providers alike.

My request is simple: I ask that you remain open to amendments to HB1389 and to meeting with midwives and birth workers who are eager to offer constructive, solutions-oriented input.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your willingness to listen to those of us working directly with Mississippi families.

Respectfully,

01/28/2026

Call if you can and let Representative Creekmore know that we want to discuss his bill and ask him for 2 amendments.

Contact Information
Capitol
P. O. Box 1018�Jackson, MS 39215
Home
302 Marshall St. �New Albany, MS 38652
Phone(s)
Business: (662) 534-9280 (W) (tel:6625349280)
Email
screekmore@house.ms.gov@house.ms.gov (mailto:screekmore@house.ms.gov@house.ms.gov)

Call Script – HB1389 Amendments

Opening / Gatekeeper (Staffer):
Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your city or district]. I’m calling to speak with Representative Sam Creekmore or to leave a message regarding House Bill 1389 for the 2026 legislative session.

⸻

If you reach Rep. Creekmore:

Hello Representative Creekmore, thank you for taking my call.
My name is [Your Name], and I am a practicing midwife / birth worker / constituent in Mississippi.

I’m calling about HB1389 and to ask whether you would be open to amendments to the bill in the 2026 legislative year.

I appreciate that this bill is intended to address maternal and newborn health, but as written, many in the midwifery and birth worker community are concerned that it does not adequately reflect the midwifery model of care or protect the mother–baby dyad.

Specifically, I’m hoping you would consider amendments that:
• Include midwives in the rule-making and regulatory process, rather than placing all authority solely under the Board of Health.
• Protect the mother and baby as a unit of care, including continuity of care through at least 12 weeks postpartum, with consultations beyond that as clinically appropriate.
• Recognize midwives as experts in midwifery, whose lived experience and training should shape any regulatory framework.

Historically in Mississippi and across the South, home birth midwifery was pushed out through state public health structures, often without meaningful input from Black and community-based midwives. We want to avoid repeating that pattern and instead build something collaborative, safe, and equitable.

My request is simple: would you be open to meeting with midwives and birth workers and supporting amendments to HB1389 that better align with community-based maternal health and birth justice?

Thank you for your time and for your willingness to listen to those of us doing this work on the ground.

⸻

If you leave a voicemail or speak to a staffer:

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [City]. I’m calling regarding House Bill 1389.

I’m asking Representative Creekmore to please be open to amendments to HB1389 in the 2026 legislative session, particularly amendments that:
• Include midwives in the regulatory and rule-making process,
• Protect the mother–baby dyad, with postpartum care through at least 12 weeks,
• And reflect the midwifery model of care and community-based maternal health.

Many midwives and birth workers would welcome the opportunity to meet with him and offer constructive input. Please pass along my message and let him know we are eager for dialogue and collaboration.

Thank you.

⸻

Pro Tips for Calls
• Keep it under 2 minutes if live.
• Always say you are a constituent (even if just statewide).
• Staffers log every call as: Support / Oppose / Amend — you are aiming for “Amend.”
• You don’t need to argue—your power is in being calm, professional, and specific.

01/28/2026

Or, even better, establish an independent Midwifery Board!

Why is HB 1389 Concerning as it is written?
- Places exclusive regulatory authority for midwifery within the Mississippi State Department of Health.
- Does not require representation of practicing midwives in rulemaking or oversight.
- Allows discretionary consideration of advisory input, which can be declined or ignored.
- Recreates historical patterns that eliminated community-based and Black midwifery in Mississippi.
- Risks further reducing access to maternity care in rural and underserved communities.

Historical Context Matters:
Mississippi’s Boards of Health historically used regulation to dismantle home and community midwifery, particularly Black midwifery. These policies contributed to loss of access, erosion of trust, and persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant outcomes. HB 1389 risks repeating these harms.

Midwife Representation Is Essential:
- Health professions nationwide are regulated by boards composed of practitioners.
- Regulation without representation undermines safety, equity, and public trust.
- Midwives bring essential clinical and community expertise to regulatory decision-making.

AMM Recommendations:
- Oppose HB 1389 in its current form.
- Establish an independent Board of Midwifery composed primarily of practicing midwives.
- At minimum, amend the bill to require a Midwifery Advisory Board with mandatory consultation authority.
- Engage midwives and community stakeholders in collaborative rule development.

Midwives are part of the solution. Midwife-led, collaborative regulation improves safety, expands access to care in rural communities, and supports maternal health equity across Mississippi.

Association of Mississippi Midwives

01/27/2026

Mississippi House Bill 1389 would shoulder the Mississippi Department of Health with licensing and regulating Professional Midwives and prevent midwives from holding positions on a board or even advisory council to set their own practice guidelines and inform the rules and regs. If you want your midwife to work for you and the Department of Health to do it’s best job working for the whole state of Mississippi, sign this petition!

Oppose House Bill 1389 to protect midwifery in Mississippi

01/25/2026

We hope you all had a cozy day.❄️
All babies stayed put in there warm little worlds and we all had a great snow day at home.

Missy, of course made her own mittens to play outside with her little guy.
Michelle spent the day painting her first paint by number.
Dillon took to the snow with her two kiddos.
Lanai took a much needed cozy day on the couch binge watching and eating snacks.

We hope you all stay safe and warm✨
Send us all the snow baby pictures!

01/22/2026

One of the things we love about having one of our offices in Midtown is how close we are to so many amazing organizations that serve our community!

Every weekday a meal is served to about 50-75 people and right outside our office is a community fridge and pantry where you can drop off food, pantry items and leftovers for anyone to come and get what they need.
When you come for your appointments or are just in the neighborhood this is a beautiful way to give back.
With the harsh weather coming there is a bigger need than ever so if you can fit a drop off to our community fridge as part of your preparation, we know some wonderful people who would be more than grateful. ❄️

12/19/2025

We always love getting Christmas cards from our Full Circle families! Here is one from us to you!!!

Trade that Santa hat for a sombrero and fiesta the night away to the holiday classic "Feliz Navidad!"

11/13/2025

Top 100 baby names for 2025 👀🫣

11/12/2025

When your team shows up 👊🏼
We love to come to 37 week home visits to talk about birth day ♥️

10/30/2025

Michel Odent proposed that the ideal birth scenario involves a woman in a small, dark room with a silent, experienced midwife knitting in the corner.
We agree! Thats what you will find Full Circle Midwives doing at a birth unless the situation calls for intervention.

10/23/2025

6 week postpartum visits are so bitter sweet. By the time this visit arrives we have spent so many hours and so many magical moments with the families we support that it’s always a bit hard to say, “see ya later” But, grateful to have had the chance to support another healthy mom and baby.