Documentary feature “Arrest the Midwife” premiered at South by Southwest on March 9. The film spotlights a string of arrests against Mennonite Certified Professional Midwives, or CPM, midwives in upstate New York. For CPMs, unlike Certified Nurse-Midwives, which are known as CNMS, it remains illegal for them to practice midwifery in 13 states. The film showcases Mennonite women fighting for CPM legalization and the vital role CPM holds in their community.
“Arrest the Midwife” excels in showcasing the strength of the upstate New York Mennonite community’s advocacy for CPM’s legalization by showing them in courtrooms, writing letters to their local newspaper and contacting lawmakers. Known for emphasizing a simple lifestyle removed from mainstream society, the film shows community members riding horses and buggies, using flip phones and wearing plain dresses. These displays of legal advocacy amidst traditional Mennonite culture juxtapose an otherwise isolated, non-confrontational community and their commitment to fighting for change.
Statistics throughout help the audience understand people’s dedication to fight for higher access to home births. For example, the film illuminates the high costs of hospital births compared to home births, the increase in maternity care “deserts” and the disproportionate harm to Black and brown women due to hospital births.
While the film successfully highlights a not-well-known topic, notable shortcomings stand out. The film didn’t clearly explain the distinction between CPMs and CNMS at the beginning of the film, such as the differences between certification processes. It provided an inadequate explanation as to why CPMs have the proper credentials to deliver babies.
Second, the film suggested that New York illegalized midwifery as a whole, not just CPMs. Multiple times the Mennonite women said women should be able to choose between a home or hospital birth. However, women do have that choice. The issue lies in the absence of CNMs in the Mennonite community, thus it relies solely on CPMs, who then have to illegally practice in some states. Instead, the film needed interviews with lawmakers advocating against CPM legalization to help the audience understand why some states outlaw it.
Lastly, the film needed a deeper explanation about why Mennonite women don’t or can’t receive CNM licenses. None of the CPM midwives stated their reason for not attempting to get a CNM license and instead talked about the generational tradition of their midwifery practice.
“Arrest the Midwife” informs audiences about a widely unfamiliar subject matter and leaves a desire to learn more about the topic. However, many details lack clarity, making understanding the topic entirely difficult.
3 buggies out of 5
