As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, home birth midwives across the country are being inundated. Families are desperate for our care, to avoid giving birth in unsafe hospitals. According to 2015 global statistics, the USA is the only developed nation with rising maternal mortality rates, and first-day neo-natal mortality rates up to 4 times higher than other industrialized countries. Existing childbirth protocols and practices in hospitals produce poor results. Our maternity care system was already failing us, and amidst the current crisis outcomes may plummet further, unnecessarily. A shift from prioritizing the needs and choices of the medical system, to prioritizing those of mothers will immediately improve outcomes for mothers and babies. To do this, we need new laws, attitudes and practices. This includes creating smaller facilities dedicated to childbirth; recognizing and asserting birthing women’s right to safety and choice; and valuing, supporting and remunerating all certified midwives...