An unusual kind of trial took place in the First Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki, Greece. It was probably the first time that so many defendants were being tried simultaneously in this court. Seventy-two parents were being tried for choosing to give birth naturally, at home as well as six obstetricians-gynecologists and one midwife, who witnessed the births.
Their choice to give birth at home does not in any way reflect their economic situation. These are not poor people, but instead, most of these couples have a higher education and social status. They consciously decided to have a natural birth in their own living room, exercising their right to choose birthing conditions freely. However, the prosecutor who prepared the indictment of this absurd trial had two main objections.
The Greek doctors were tried for “false medical certification” as it was deemed that they weren’t typically present during births, therefore they could not testify for the birth registry. On the other hand, parents were tried for inciting the previous offense and for “environmental pollution.” This of course concerns the placenta, which Greek health services deem as “dangerous, infectious waste” without any further legal provision. Sometimes, parents postpartum, bury the placenta in the backyard and plant a tree over it as a symbol of the mother’s eternal union with the child.
After five hours in a crowded courtroom, the prosecutor made his speech: “I cannot understand why this case was brought before an audience. I find it impossible to describe the placenta as infectious waste,” he said. He asked for the doctors to be discharged because in most cases they treated mothers and infants just a few minutes after birth, and therefore could have counted as witnesses. The Judge found all seventy-nine defendants innocent of any misdemeanor.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
