As home births rise in popularity, some midwives operate in a legal gray area

Bethany Gates, a certified professional midwife in Iowa, examines her client, Mandy King. King has three children and this will be her first home birth.

As maternity wards continue to close across the U.S., demand for midwives has grown, especially in rural areas. But hospitals and health care providers have raised concerns about licensing and safety.

(Image credit: Natalie Krebs/Side Effects Public Media)

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