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Line 1: {{Infobox_Broadcast \| '''Home birth''' is [[childbirth]] that occurs outside a [[hospital]] or [[birthing center]] setting, usually in the [[home]] of the [[mother]]. Most home births are assisted by [[midwifery\|midwives]], but some home births are [[physician]] assisted. Others have no medical assistance at all. This is known as [[free-birth]] or unassisted home birth. call_letters = WPBF\| station_logo = [[Image:Wpbf_abc25.jpg]]\| station_slogan = ''Where '''You''' Come First''\| station_branding = ''WPBF TV 25'' (general)<br>''WPBF News 25'' (newscasts)\| analog = 25 ([[Ultra high frequency\|UHF]])\| digital = 16 (UHF)\| affiliations = [[American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]]<br>[[The AccuWeather Channel\|AccuWx TV]] (on DT2)\| founded = [[January 1]], [[1989]]\| ___location = [[Tequesta, Florida\|Tequesta]] - [[West Palm Beach, Florida]]\| callsign_meaning = '''W'''est '''P'''alm '''B'''each, '''F'''lorida\| owner = [[Hearst Corporation]]<br>''operated by [[Hearst-Argyle Television]]''\| licensee = WPBF-TV Company\| former_callsigns = \| former_affiliations = \| effective_radiated_power = 5000 [[Watt\|kW]] (analog)<br>1000 kW (digital)\| homepage = [http://www.wpbf.com/ wpbf.com]\| }} '''WPBF''' is the [[American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]]-affiliated [[television station]] for the [[Treasure Coast]] area of [[Florida]]'s east coast. Licensed to [[Tequesta, Florida\|Tequesta]], the station broadcasts an analog signal on [[UHF]] channel 25 and a digital signal on UHF channel 16. WPBF's transmitter is located south of [[Fort Pierce, Florida\|Fort Pierce]] and [[Interstate 95\|I-95]] in [[Martin County, Florida\|Martin County]]. The station's studios are located on RCA Blvd. in the Monet section of [[Palm Beach Gardens, Florida\|Palm Beach Gardens]]. WPBF is owned by the [[Hearst Corporation]] and operated by [[Hearst-Argyle Television]]. In most Western countries, home birth declined over the [[20th century]], although there was some revival of the practice in [[1970s]]. In [[The Netherlands]], about 30% of all births occur at home, but this number is falling. In countries where [[midwives]] are the main carers for pregnant women, home birth is more prevalent. The station offers [[The AccuWeather Channel]] on its DT2 digital subchannel as well as via live streaming video on its website. The weather channel is known on-air as ''Weather First TV''. ~~==Types of home birth==~~ ~~===Assisted home birth===~~ For low-risk [[pregnancy\|pregnancies]], a number of studies have shown that planned, assisted homebirths are at least as safe as hospital births. There are fewer medical interventions, such as [[cesarean section]]s, [[forceps]] deliveries, [[episiotomy\|episiotomies]] and administration of pain medication such as [[Epidural analgesia\|epidural]]s, all of which pose some risk to the lives and health of the mother and baby. [[antibiotic resistance\|Antibiotic resistant]] pathogens commonly found in hospitals, such as [[Staphylococcus aureus\|staph]] ([[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus\|methicillin-resistant ''Staphylococcus aureus'']] and others), are less likely to be transferred to the mother or child when the birth takes place at home. However, in the case of emergencies such as [[cord prolapse]], breathing problems with the infant, inverted uterus, or [[Obstetrical_hemorrhage\|bleeding]] of the mother, there is less access to life-saving equipment, although properly trained midwives can manage such emergencies until the woman can be transferred to a hospital. ==History== ~~===Unassisted home birth===~~ WPBF first went on the air [[January 1]], [[1989]] owned by Brenda Skipper and Sylvia Salinas. The original plans called for the station to be an [[Independent station\|independent]]. However, in mid-[[1988]] [[CBS]], which was due to lose its longtime [[Miami]] - [[Fort Lauderdale]] affiliate [[WTVJ]] to [[NBC]], bought [[FOX]] affiliate WCIX (now [[WFOR-TV]]). WCIX only provided a Grade B ("rimshot") signal to Fort Lauderdale because its transmitter was located farther south than the other Miami - Fort Lauderdale stations. CBS persuaded the longtime ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach [[WPEC]] to switch to CBS in order to get a city-grade signal in Fort Lauderdale. In the fall of [[1988]], ABC made the decision to affiliate with WPBF rather than with the former CBS affiliate [[WTVX]]. These changes occurred on the day of WPBF's sign on. ~~There have been no formal studies on unassisted birth. A mother having an unassisted home birth can do so in the environment in which she feels most comfortable.~~ Also before signing on, WPBF had bought a large inventory of classic sitcoms and cartoons, but did not have any time in its broadcast day to air them due to ABC affiliation. It sold this programming to WTVX a couple of months later when that station shut down its news department. Many mothers choose a "couple's birth" where the birthing mother and her spouse or partner are the only ones present while she gives birth. Other children may be sleeping, or busy elsewhere in the house. Advocates of unassisted birth believe that couple's birth is an intimate extension of [[babymaking]]. Initially, WPBF had a small news department. In [[1993]], WPBF was sold to [[ion Media Networks\|Paxson Communications]] (which at the time owned several FM radio stations and a few ABC and CBS affiliates), who added additional newscasts to the schedule. In [[1997]], Paxson sold their radio stations and network affiliates (including WPBF) in order to finance their acquisition of stations for the PAX TV network (now [[ION Television\|ION]]), with channel 25 going to Hearst Corporation, its current owner. As soon as the transaction was finalized, Hearst handed over control of WPBF to its majority-owned subsidiary, Hearst-Argyle Television. ~~==Differing opinions==~~ Proponents of home birth prefer the atmosphere and safety of a home birth. The mother has more control over her surroundings, and can eat and move around, sleep and do anything she pleases – activities which may be discouraged in a hospital setting. The mother is often more comfortable in her own home and increased comfort contributes to shorter labor. The germs that are present are the normal germs of that family's home, to which the baby has immunity acquired from the mother. Hospitals are a common source of infection for mothers and babies by antibiotic resistant bacteria. All Hearst-Argyle ABC affiliates including WPBF preempted ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]'' in [[2004]]. WPBF was one of three ABC affiliates in Florida that preempted the movie. Conversely, some mothers are more comfortable in a hospital setting because they implicitly trust the medical system and because they prefer to be closer to an operating room should an emergency arise. It usually takes a minimum of 30 minutes to prepare an operating theatre for surgery and so for women within easy travelling distance of a hospital, this is less important. On [[July]] 12, [[2006]], WPBF started a 30 minute 4 PM weekday newscast called ''Weather First at 4''. While the main intention of this new broadcast iswas to cover West Palm Beach area weather, news updates and headlines were also added. The weather portions are anchored by Chief Meteorologist Mike Lyons and meteorologist Felicia Rodriguez. The news portions are anchored by Jon Shainman and Tiffany Kenney. The 4 PM newscast can be seen via live streaming vidio on the station's website. WPBF is the only West Palm Beach station to air a 4 PM weekday newscast. ~~==Safety==~~ Over the years the safety of home birth has been questioned and designing [[randomized controlled trials]] to test the safety of home birth compared to hospital birth has significant ethical problems. Studies of safety have generally found home birth (for healthy women with normal pregnancies) to be at least as safe as hospital birth. A recent study in the ''[[British Medical Journal]]'' ''Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America'' (Johnson & Daviss, June 2005), concluded that outcomes were just as good and "medical intervention rates (such as [[epidural]], [[episiotomy]], [[forceps]], [[ventouse]], and [[caesarean section]]) were substantially lower than for low risk US women having hospital births.'" For example, amongst the home birth women, 3.7% ended up having a caesarean section compared to 19% for the US as a whole (for a similar risk profile) [2000 data]. ~~According to Enkin et al in the work ''A Guide To Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth''; "Women with low risk pregnancies considering out of hospital birth should not be discouraged."~~ On [[July 17]], WPBF added 30 minutes to its weekday morning newscast, which then began airing at 5:30 AM. According to the World Health Organization, the primary causes of maternal death throughout the world are [[obstetrical hemorrhage]] (25%), [[infection]] (13%), [[eclampsia]] (12%), obstructed labor (8%), complications of abortion (13%), other direct causes (8%), and indirect causes (20%). "Indirect causes" include common diseases, such as malaria and diabetes, that are often treatable in the prenatal period. Many of these problems occur in countries where there is no prenatal care or a trained birth attendant available during labor, birth and the first few hours after the birth when the mother (and the baby) is at greatest risk. A trained midwife can most often identify signs of hemorrhaging, eclampsia, fetal distress and obstructed labor in time to transport the woman to a hospital or call an ambulance. Thus basic prenatal healthcare, proximity to a hospital, and a trained midwife can provide nearly all the safeguards offered by a hospital birth. WPBF remains the lowest rated network affiliated television station in the West Palm Beach Market behind [[WFLX]], [[WPEC]], and [[WPTV (TV)\|WPTV]] (in ascending order). This can be attributed to [[WPLG]]'s very strong over the air signal in Palm Beach County and its availability on [[Comcast]] cable systems throughout the area. WPLG is the highested rated local television station in all [[South Florida]], which also includes WPBF's market area. ~~==Legal Situation in the United States==~~ ~~[[Image:Legalitiesmap0506-midwives.jpg\|right\|thumb\|410px\|map]]~~ Unlike many other network affiliates in the area, WPBF does not air a weekday Noon newscast. Also, the station does not have a sports department. ~~No state prosecutes mothers for giving birth outside of a hospital. However, midwives who assist at such births may be prosecuted in some areas.~~ ==News Team== In the early and mid [[20th_century\|1900s]], physicians pushed to have midwifery banned throughout the [[United States]]. Childbirth became very clinical and controlling, with the mother generally subdued with leather straps and [[Diethyl_ether\|ether]]. In 37 states it is once again legal to purchase the services of a midwife. Many midwives continue to attend mothers, while efforts are underway to change the law. WPBF's [[weather radar]] is known as "Weather First True View" and is located north of West Palm Beach. '''Anchors''' The sale and/or purchase of midwife services is still ([[As of 2005\|as of May 2005]]) illegal under certain circumstances in [[Washington, D.C.]] and the following states: [[Alabama]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)\|Georgia]], [[Hawaii]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Iowa]], [[Kentucky]], [[Maryland]], [[Missouri]], [[North Carolina]], [[Rhode Island]], [[South Dakota]] and [[Wyoming]]. Jim Abath - weekday mornings (also reporter) Bryce Daniels - weekday mornings Jon Shainman - weeknights at 4, 5:30, and 6 PM Tiffany Kenney - weeknights at 4, 5:30, and 6 PM (also health reporter) Lisa Hayward - weeknights at 5 and 11 PM Kristin Hoke - weeknights at 5 and 11 PM Corey Saban - Saturday nights and Sunday nights at 6 PM (also reporter three days a week) Angela Rozier - Sunday nights at 11 PM (also reporter) ~~People wishing to have a midwife-assisted home birth in the United States should always research the applicable laws in their home state.~~ '''''Weather First Specialists''''' Though it may be illegal for a midwife to attend a homebirth due to the constraints of the law it is absolutely legal for a woman to give birth at home, regardless of the statutes that apply in any given state. Mike Lyons - Chief seen weeknights[[Image:NWASoA.jpg\|29px]] Felicia Rodriguez - weeknights at 4 PM Eric Burris - weekday mornings [[Image:AMSSoA.jpg\|25px]] Kate Wentzel - weekends [[Image:AMSSoA.jpg\|25px]][[Image:NWASoA.jpg\|29px]] ~~==Legal Situation in Australia==~~ Whilst there is no restriction on having homebirths in Australia, it is illegal for midwives to practice in some Australian States and Territories, because they are unable to obtain professional indemnity insurance. Medical practitioners in some Australian jurisdictions must have insurance before they can practice. After 9/11 and the collapse of the large Australian insurer [[HIH]], the remaining Australian insurance companies ceased offering insurance to home birth midwives, as they claimed that the pool of midwives requiring insurance was too small to make it commercially viable. Without insurance, it is illegal for home birth midwives to practice, even though they are qualified health professionals and are allowed to practice within hospitals. '''Reporters''' When several large insurance companies threatened to withdraw insurance for [[obstetrician]]s in 2002, the Australian Government immediately responded and provided a A$600 million dollar (over 4 years) subsidy to the obstetricians to allow them to continue to practice legally. Amanda Burden Brian Albert Bonny Ghosh Cathleen O'Toole Marianne Milano - website host Amanda Salinas - also fill in anchor Terri Parker - investigative reporter Traci Mitchell - National Correspondent Laurie Kinney - National Correspondent Sally Kidd - National Correspondent ==Administration== ~~Some State Governments have now introduced government funded home birth services, including the Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales.~~ Joseph J. Coscia - News Director Steve Boyer - Assistant News Director Caroline Scollard - General Sales Manager Ryan Rothstein - Local Sales Manager Mark Prutisto - Director of Integrated Media ~~==Additional Reading==~~ ''A Good Birth, A Safe Birth : Choosing and Having the Childbirth Experience You Want''. (1992), Korte, Diana, Boston, MA: USA, The Harvard Common Press. ''Birthing From Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation''. (1998), England, Horowitz NM: USA, Partera Press. ''A Wise Birth. Bringing together the best of natural childbirth with modern medicine'', Armstrong C & Feldman S, 1990 ''Having a Great Birth in Australia'' Ed [[David Vernon]], [[Australian College of Midwives]], Canberra, 2005 ISBN 0-9751674-3-X [http://www.normalbirth.lamaze.org Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth] ''The American Way of Birth'', Jessica Mitford The [http://www.birthjunkie.com/homebirth/ birthjunkie site] has an [http://www.birthjunkie.com/active/bboard.mv unassisted childbirth forum] where you can discuss unassisted and minimally assisted childbirth with others. You can also read [http://www.birthjunkie.com/uc_stories.html birth stories] from unassisted births, including an [http://www.birthjunkie.com/tracie.html 11.25 pound (5.1 kg) baby] born without tearing. * The MANA [http://www.mana.org/statechart.html state-by-state chart] shows midwife certification requirements and reimbursement by Medicaid. It is common for private insurance to reimburse according to the Medicaid rules. * [http://www.changesurfer.com/Hlth/homebirth.html Summary of Medical Studies on Homebirth] ~~==See also==~~ [[Childbirth]] [[Midwifery]] [[Nursing]] [[Pregnancy]] ==~~References~~External Links== [http://www.wpbf.com/ Station Website] Kenneth C Johnson and Betty-Anne Daviss, [http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/330/7505/1416?ehom ''Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives in North America: large prospective study,'' BMJ 2005;330;1416] [http://www.abc.com ABC Website] [http://www.abcnews.com ABC News Website] *{{TVQ\|WPBF}} {{WPB TV}} {{ABC Florida}} {{Hearst-Argyle}} [[Category:~~Midwifery~~Television stations in Florida\|WPBF]] [[Category:~~Obstetrics~~ABC network affiliates\|WPBF]] [[Category:Channel 25 TV stations in the United States]] ~~[[de:Hausgeburt]]~~

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