Expat allegedly offers uncertified midwife services in Merida

An American woman offers alternative services on the internet, allegedly without required documents, according to Milenio newspaper.

MERIDA — In the so-called clinic “El Nido”, the American midwife Sara Marie Forrest Jaimes offers services of orientation and control of pregnancy and attention of deliveries, activity that would be exercised in an illegal way, since she allegedly does not count with the corresponding permits established in the General Health Law.

Research by Milenio Novedades shows that this person is not included in the register of certified midwives from the Secretary of Health of the State Government (SSY), to perform such functions, possibly putting in risk the integrity of those who contract these services.

On her Facebook page and website, midwife Sara Forrest offers at all times and independently services that “combat obstetric violence,” “sobbing,” yoga classes with esoteric ideology, “respected childbirth” spell courses, alternative medicine, avoidance of caesarean section, pap smears, home births, parturition and other concepts that mix scientific knowledge with alternative solutions.

When visiting the address quoted in its advertising, located in the colony Leandro Valle, to the northeast of the city, an extensive lot was found with a house that in no way resembles a private clinic.

It was possible to find out that for the midwifery services, this person charges amounts ranging between eight and 20 thousand pesos (without right to reimbursement for any irregularity that appears) and those who occupy it must sign a contract almost unilateral, written in such a way that this person is free of any responsibility in case of complications during the delivery, since the signers (the pregnant woman and her partner) accept that the midwife does not have medical liability insurance.

A client of this person, who declined to provide her name, commented that last February, Sara Forrest attended the birth of her son at home and when she went to the Health Center to obtain the certificate of being born alive, she was informed that it was not possible since that person is not registered as midwife in the SSY and lacks the required permission, reason why it could have had serious consequences.

The Ministry of Health of Yucatan (SSY) has a register of 24 registered traditional midwives who receive training and constant updating in the State Sanitary Jurisdictions, in order to improve care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, as well as care of the newborn, contributing to the reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality. These women are recognized leaders in their communities for their skills and knowledge.

Source: sipse.com/milenio/

Offering a right of reply to those who are the subject of significant criticism or allegations of wrongdoing is a fairness obligation. In the next days, The Yucatan Times will try to contact Mrs. Sara Marie Forrest Jaimes for her side of the story.