Arrest the Midwife | POV Arrest the Midwife – POV

Arrest the Midwife

about

The arrest of trusted midwives ignites an unexpected rebellion, as Amish and Mennonite women break from tradition and emerge as fierce political activists — joining the broader fight for reproductive justice. Co-produced with ITVS.

Behind the Lens: Arrest the Midwife

season 3990 minpremiere 08.31.2026

Filmmakers

Elaine Epstein

Robin Hessman

Critical Acclaim

As its nonsensical title might imply, Elaine Epstein’s Arrest the Midwife centers on the plight of three certified professional midwives who, after the death of a newborn (ironically, at a hospital one of the midwives rushed her client to the minute she noticed complications), find themselves in the crosshairs of their local authorities in upstate New York, one of only 11 states where midwifery is either illegal or highly restricted. (NYC midwives might consider moving to progressive Alabama.) And while the tale is quite harrowing, it’s also unexpectedly empowering. For what the (male) police and prosecutors didn’t quite bargain for was a 'radical uprising' from the rural community the trio of conservative birthing providers serve – Amish and Mennonite women willing to fight for their right not to engage with the medical industrial complex of the outside world. (Onward, Christian soldiers!)

Arrest the Midwife

about

Filmmakers

Elaine Epstein

Robin Hessman

Film Resources

Critical Acclaim

Filmmaker Magazine