Legislation being introduced Wednesday could allow midwives to deliver babies at homes in North Carolina.
Despite the law, NBC-17 found out many midwives are still performing home births. Kim Moore said she knew it was illegal, but still had a midwife deliver her second child from home. Moore is part of a large group of supporters fighting to make it legal.
"After I had my first child I started reading because I wanted to know what I could do to make it better the next time around," explained Moore. "What I found was that you're at less risk of complications having your birth at home because there's more patience and you don't have the hospital schedule to follow."
According to the Center for Disease Control, North Carolina saw one of the largest increases in home births.
Rep. Winkie Wilkins is sponsoring the bill because he wants the underground practice to be brought to light.
"My whole point in filing this bill is that if they're going to be out there doing what they're doing then I want to know who they are, where they are and what they're doing," said Wilkins.
Rep. Wilkins says other supporters believe it will save on healthcare costs.
On the other side, the North Carolina Medical Society believes the practice puts patients at risk.
Sen. William Purcell agrees that this legislation could be dangerous for mothers. Purcell used to practice pediatric medicine and believes creating a new board will be an expense to the state.
Rep. Wilkins says these concerns will be addressed in the working group on this bill.
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