The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71095

Linda L. Linda L. Graham, MSN, APRN, BC, Nursing Department, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, 2101 E. coliseum blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805, 260-481-6278, graham@ipfw.edu

This paper will examine the New Eden Care Center, a non for profit birthing center, developed, owned, and operated by the Old Order Amish in northern Indiana. The Center was developed by the Amish themselves because of the increased cost of maternity care at local hospitals; the desire to use little or no modern technology; to have a choice of delivering at home or at the birthing center; the desire to have the specific needs of their culture respected; and the long tradition for many Amish women of having a midwife present during the birthing process. Two masters prepared nurse midwives provide prenatal care during home visitations and also assist with delivers either in the woman's family home or at the Center. Each individual woman decides where she will deliver. Satisfaction is very high for the Amish women receiving this service as well as the nurse midwives who provide the service. Various issues will be discussed including: lack of transportation beyond the horse and buggy, little or no easy access to telephones, payment for services in barter, use of alternative therapies and alternative healers, and cultural issues that at times conflict with modern medical care. What we, the English, can learn about prenatal care and birthing from this sequestered group will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the phase "in the world, but not of the world" as it relates to proving prenatal and maternity care to the sequestered culture of the Old Order Amish.
• Identify five reasons why the Old Order Amish would chose to receive maternity care from nurse midwives over the tradition maternity medical model.
• Describe the challenge of respecting the culture of the Old Order Amish while at the same time providing safe and component healthcare.

Keywords: Access to Health Care,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.