What to Know
More than 50,000 women opt for home births annually in the United States. While some choose to give birth themselves, others hire a doula or midwife to help. Doulas provide women with emotional support, guidance, and comfort during childbirth, but are not required to hold a special medical license. Midwives provide medical help and do require a specific license, which differs from state to state.
Cynthia “Cindy” Rene Morrow owned Birth Servant Midwifery LLC in Woodstock, Georgia, and provided her services to mothers in need. Though Morrow had clients, she didn’t have the proper license. She allegedly practiced medicine and nearly lost a patient during a home birth in 2022. Morrow now faces prison time after a jury convicted her of multiple crimes.
Morrow performed multiple medical procedures.
According to a release from the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, the charges stemmed from Morrow’s participation in a 2022 home birth. Morrow reportedly injected the mother with Pitocin and intravenous fluids, inserted a catheter, and performed a manual uterine procedure. She did not hold a license to perform any of these procedures.
“After childbirth, the mother experienced significant blood loss. Despite her worsening condition, Morrow never told the woman’s family that she was experiencing a medical emergency and advised a non-emergency medical transport when she ultimately called 911,” per the news release.
Morrow’s patient nearly died at an area hospital.
By the time emergency responders got the woman to the hospital, she began vomiting and lost consciousness. Her blood pressure dropped to 63/55, and her heart rate dipped dangerously low. Doctors saved the woman’s life with medication, blood transfusions, and emergency surgery. Hospital staff who testified at trial claimed the mother lost 50% of her blood and should have been admitted to the hospital hours before she arrived. The woman and her family testified in court about the terrifying ordeal.
Morrow had more than one victim.
The court heard from multiple patients with similar experiences in Morrow’s care. One woman nearly died in childbirth, and the other lost her baby.
“The State introduced more than 100 exhibits, including the 911 call, the victim’s medical records, client logs maintained by Morrow, cell phone extraction reports, and records establishing that Morrow was not licensed as a physician, nurse, or certified nurse midwife. Photographs taken during the execution of the search warrant showed expired dangerous drugs (Pitocin), needles, sutures, intravenous supplies, and other medical equipment,” the release explained.
The jury convicted Morrow on nine counts.
After a nine-day trial, jurors deliberated for just three hours before finding Morrow guilty of one count of practicing medicine without a license, one count of practicing nursing without a license, two counts of unlawful practice of midwifery, two counts of reckless conduct, one count of possession of a dangerous drug, criminal attempt to possess expired Pitocin, and unlawful practice of midwifery for a second birth.
She is due in court for sentencing on November 10, 2026. Morrow faces years in prison for her crimes.
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