Disclaimers and Assumptions

It’s come to my attention over the last weeks that someone I worked with ‘once-upon-a-time’ is trying to stir up trouble for me. Not sure why after nearly 11 years she is even remotely interested in me or my practice – should I be flattered or feel stalked? Whatever!

Apparently she is saying that I am misrepresenting myself as something I’m not. I googled myself and found that I am listed on a couple search sites that list and grade doctors and I am listed as “Dr. Lori Luyten” or “Lori Luyten CNM”. I have never placed myself on these sites – the address is incorrect and it is my very old business phone number from many years ago. I’ve managed to get some of these sites such as Health Grades and doctors.at to update my information so at least they have my certifications correct (well almost correct – doctors.at changed me from a doctor to a “Midwife – Certified” so that is ‘kinda’ correct). The Healthgrades.com site was gracious to change me from a doctor to my actual profession and I found that I have several good reviews – so thank you reviewers for that! Other sites I have been unsuccessful in getting any response or changes made, so I continue to be listed incorrectly.

I also discovered today that I am listed on other search sites that I did not put myself onto. In speaking with a representative of the customer service center today, I was told that it appears that I have been ‘hijacked’. I am not the account manager on these sites, the email address listed is not mine and therefore I can not access them to change the information listed. They can’t just change it to me because they have to verify that I am indeed me. Two of these search engine sites are investigating the ‘owner’ and will be getting back to me. Most of the information listed appears correct – verbage is almost identical to ads I have placed, but there are things that aren’t correct that have been added and I’m unable at this time to get that changed.

So, the best thing I can figure to do is put disclaimers all over my website and here on my blog. If the person above mentioned decides to report me to the Medical Board for fraud, well, I’m making a paper trail showing that I’m trying to fix things, and if the fraud leads back to her, then there will be consequences.

Here’s the disclaimer:
I, Lori Luyten, am a LICENSED MIDWIFE and CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE. I am licensed in the State of Ca to practice midwifery. I am certified by the North America Registry of Midwives as a CPM, recognized in North America.

I am NOT a medical doctor (or even an Osteopathic physician) and have never claimed to be one. I don’t even play one on TV! I have a couple really good friends who are doctors; we facebook and text each other, hang out together and go on spa days together but I’m not a doctor by association with these awesome docs. I don’t call myself “dr Lori” or any silly thing like that.

I am NOT a Registered Nurse or a Certified Nurse Midwife, also known as RN and CNM respectively. I have never been an RN or CNM, nor have I ever used RN or CNM after my name. My high school yearbook says that I wanted to be one though. I started out on that path, but as my website bio says, I got a little sidetracked by this hot Dutchman, got hitched and had his babies instead (paraphrased). I think it was fate – back when I graduated college, there was no such things as LM’s in CA; that didn’t come about till 1993. If I’d followed that route I’d probably be working at Kaiser somewhere, caring for drugged-up, numbed-up mamas and doing all kinds of things I now consider nasty.

I HAVE worked in the medical profession – but NOT as a Doctor or a CNM/RN. I do have a background working in doctors offices, hospitals and health clinics which I believe gives me insight and experience that compliments my Licensed Midwifery practice. So when you find these sites that list me as such, use some common sense, check out what I HAVE listed on my own personal website and if you have questions, ASK me!

And while I’m listing disclaimers here I’ll put it down for the record – my clients sign informed consents allowing me to post birth announcements. They don’t all sign so there are babies that I am honored to catch that I don’t get bragging rights to. That’s ok too, just wanted ya’ll to know that the ones I do brag about – their mamas gave me written persmission – and even enjoy their 15 minutes of adorable, baby-love fame.

And here’s another; just cuz I have pictures of TWINS on my birth announcements doesn’t mean that I caught those babies. Often when I discover a client is having twins, I continue to provide co-care with the perinatologist. This allows them continuity of care with me, we provide nutritional counseling and help these women have the best ‘high-risk’ pregnancies possible. I may be able to serve them through their hospital birth experiences and then provide them with postpartum and breastfeeding support too. Out of respect and privacy, I’m not going to put where the babies were born and especially not HOW they were born – it’s just none of your business! Even though I may not have ‘caught’ them, they are still ‘my’ babies and their mamas are still ‘my’ mamas! So, remember that old saying about what happens when you ‘assume’ – well, you know how it goes.

And here’s to the two midwives who I KNOW follow my blog and website in stalker-like fashion (there are tracking things you know!) – why don’t you just worry about and spend your time creating the BEST midwifery practice you possibly can. As a Christian, all I can do is continue to pray blessings over you (bless those who curse you) and let Psalm 140 comfort me when it says,
Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers;
protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
the poison of vipers is on their lips.[b]

4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent,
who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
they have spread out the cords of their net
and have set traps for me along my path.

6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.
7 Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD;
do not let their plans succeed.

9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
10 May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.

12 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence.

To all the birthing women out there – blessings be poured out upon you,
Lori Luyten, LICENSED (non-nurse) MIDWIFE.

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