 The Birth SurveyGiving women a mechanism that can be used to share information about maternity care practices in their community while at the same time providing practitioners and institutions feedback for quality of care improvement efforts. See what other women have to say about your care provider and place of birth or if you given birth in the last three years take the survey at http://www.thebirthsurvey.com/. Let your voice be heard. Philadelphia/NYC Guide to a Healthy BirthThese guides were published to connect birthing women with practitioners who share their beliefs that childbirth is a normal and natural process and have signed onto the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative. Practitioners who support this initiative believe that an informed woman is an empowered woman. The guide is published by Choices in Childbirth, a grassroots consumer advocacy group. CIC works to educate the public about women's rights and options in childbirth Their goal is to make the United Sates a better place for birthing women by advocating for Safe and respectful, evidence-based maternity care for all. Pregnant In America A MUST SEE FOR ALL FATHER'S!!!!!Pregnant in America is a controversial story of life's greatest miracle in the hands of a nation's most powerful interests. Produced and directed by a first-time father, Steve Buonaugurio, who wanted to make a difference. The Business of Being BornDirector Abby Epstein's controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that many expectant parents are now opting for. Former talk show host Ricki Lake was inspired to produce this compelling exposé after a dissatisfying birthing experience with her first child left her with many unanswered questions. Avalible at Netflix and http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/
Giving Birth with ConfidenceAn evolving body of research repeatedly shows the danger of interfering without a valid reason in the natural processes of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Any intervention, no matter how simple it seems, may disrupt the normal process and create problems that, in turn, must be managed with more interventions. All interventions have side effects that can be risky for both mothers and babies. In light of such evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO), a leader in the international public health effort to promote normal birth, says that maternity care should aim to achieve a healthy mother and child with the least intervention safely possible. In the United States, reality falls far short of this goal. Most births in the U.S. today are interrupted by procedures designed to start, maintain, and finish labor according to an arbitrary schedule. Few women experience their pregnant bodies unfolding and opening in their own time, in their own way. Ironically, normal birth isn’t the norm for American women. Adapted from The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence.By Judith Lothian, RN, Ph.D., LCCE, FACCE and Charlotte DeVries |
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Copyrighted 2007-2008 Maria J. Brooks