One World Birth Launch Film
ONE WORLD BIRTH is a unique FREE video website launching 1st Sept featuring evidence-based information and opinions from the world’s leading birth experts including:
Ina May Gaskin, Sheila Kitzinger, Michel Odent, Elizabeth Davis, Debra Pascali-Bonaro, Cathy Warwick (RCM), Mary Newburn (NCT), Marilyn Curl (Lamaze International), Dr Sarah Buckley, Professor Soo Downe, Professor Lesley Page, Professor Cecily Begley, Professor Kerstin Uvnas-Moberg, Professor Ngai Fen Cheung, Associate Professor Denis Walsh and lots more leading midwives, academics, obstetricians, authors, doulas, birth educators and birth warriors around the world.
Here is a short video about the ONE WORLD BIRTH project and how together we can help change the world!.
Come join us and help empower ALL women to have better births. The website launches Thurs 1 Sept: http://oneworldbirth.net
Center for Birth, Ina May Gaskin and MAWS Events
The first week in May was spectacular, as I was able to attend three separate events in Seattle celebrating birth.
It started off on Wednesday, May 4th with the grand opening for The Center of Birth. What an amazing turnout – congrats to TIna and all who are involved. We’re in such need across the country for more birthing centers and midwives. Not to discredit or denounce the hospital based birth by any means, but it’s nice to see for the non-high risk birthing mother to have an option.
Next, thank you MAWS ( Midwives Alliance of Washington State) for your incredible Spring Conference on Friday May 6th. And thanks to Ina May Gaskin, Penny Simkin, Sandy Szalay, Karen Hays, Winni McNamara, Lynn Hughes and all of the women who shared their knowledge, wisdom, skills and passion. I’m still reveling in my high from all the inspiration and education from this powerful day!
Finally, Mother’s Day was not too shabby as I got to spend it with many fellow Seattlites at the wonderful Birth Fair at Town Hall. Thank you again MAWS and Ina May Gaskin for presenting Birth Works: Why Don’t We Know It? I must admit one of my favorite things I heard on Sunday was that earlier in the week Ina May shared with obstetric providers her strategies for promoting normal birth. As it said in the event program She was invited by UW to teach some Dr.s about the benefits of trusting women’s bodies and allowing their birth process to unfold as it was meant to. Ina Mays’ passion is contagious, after seeing her 3 days last week I haven’t been able to quiet my mind, my desire to advocate, learn and expand my world in birth.
Ina May Gaskin in Seattle!!
Yay! Ina May Gaskin will be in Seattle May 4-8th. She will be attending a series of events starting off with the official Grand Opening of Seattle’s new Center for Birth. If your unable to make it to the celebration please make sure to take a look at this fabulous place to birth!
On Thursday May 5th: International Day of the Midwife. A 5k walk at Alki Park in Wet Seattle 7pm-9pm.
*On May 5th, International Day of the Midwife, midwives and their supporters around the world are walking to celebrate the role of midwives worldwide and to raise awareness of maternal and neonatal mortality. These walks will merge as a global event where midwives around the world will be advocating to improve maternal and newborn health in our communities and countries, as well as for women across the globe.
Friday May 6th The Midwives Association for Washington State Spring Conference will be held at Seattle Pacific University featuring Ina May Gaskin and Penny Simkin.
Sunday May 8th – Ina May Gaskin at Town Hall Doors open at 12:30; Lecture at 1:30 Book Signing and Birth Fair -3:30pm. Celebrate Mothers Day and come check out this great event.
Creating your Birthing Environment
The environment in which we surround ourselves during birth is essential not only to the birthing mother but to the baby. Dr. Carrie Contey shares her insights on the Mother’s Advocate Blog with evidence supporting a theory on babies consciousness during birth.
I’ve always felt that the journey from the womb into the world can be shocking, if not a traumatic experience for the baby. We need to honor this moment and create a loving, safe and warm environment for the birthing mother, baby and all who are involved in one of the most sacred moments in life. With gentle guidance and love we can respect and honor this journey.
Your Baby’s Consciousness at Birth
Birth Matters by Ina May Gaskin!
Woohoo! I’m excited to see another book from the great Ina May Gaskin, Birth Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta. Birth Matters is a “spirited manifesta showing us how to trust women, value birth, and reconcile modern life with a process as old as our species.”(Seven Stories Press)
As many of you know Ms. Gaskin is a legend. She’s the founder of The Farm Midwifery Center, the author of the Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding as well as first and only midwife to have an obstetrical maneuver named after her. With her incredible insight, knowledge and voice, Ina May Gaskin has lead the way for many in the world of childbirth.
Upcoming events with Ina May Gaskin:
• Sunday March 6, 2011 Brooklyn, NY: The Brooklyn Birthing Center will be hosting a book signing event with Ina May Gaskin.
• Monday March 7th, 2011 New York, NY : Birth Day Presence will be hosting a workshop with Ina May Gaskin from 7-9pm for midwives, doulas and birth assistants. Email doulas@birthdaypresence.net to register. Location: 580 Broadway, Suite 304, between Prince and Houston New York, NY 10012.
• March 30-April 3, 2011 Eugene, Oregon: Ina May will also be speaking at the Midwifery Today Conference “Gentle Birth Is a Human Rights Issue”
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll be seeing Ina May Gaskin here in Seattle sometime soon!
The Littlest Midwife – A beautiful story by Sudy Storm
I recently read a heartfelt article in Midwifery Today. The Littlest Midwife is a beautiful story written by Sudy Storm about her 10 year old granddaughter’s calling to witness and experience the practice of midwifery. I was moved by her determination to journey to Sierra Leone, where Sudy lives and works as a midwife a few months out of the year, to be with Sudy and be a part of the community in the village. Not only was her life touched but she touched the lives of many. The courage and love between Sudy, her granddaughter, their family and friends is inspirational.
Center For Birth
Congratualtions! Get ready for the doors to this Seattle based Childbirth Center to open March 2011.
Center For Birth
NY Times Blog: Debating Home Birth
This week the NY Times is having a debate on Lisa Belkin’s blog regarding Home Birth and a recent post on Babble.com. There have been some interesting thoughts and responses including one from Ina May Gaskin.
I came away from the article reminded that first and foremost we need to make sure that the woman/family has access to all of the information they need regarding risks and benefits in order to make informed decisions. Every situation is unique and personal. We need to be supportive of each other in a non-judgmental way and remember that birth can be a beautiful, safe experience whether in a hospital, home or birthing center.
NY Times: Debating Home Birth – A loud, long argument over maternal mortality
United States Birthing System
“We need to make sure that we reduce the overuse of interventions that are not always necessary, like C-sections, and increase access to the care that we know is good for mothers and babies, like labor support.” — Maureen Corry, executive director of Childbirth Connection
This morning while drinking my usual morning tea I came across this wonderful article - It touches on some of the issues we are facing here in the United States in the birthing world. As I personally believe that home births may not be for everyone I do believe that every woman has a right to know what her options are. Together we can advocate, educate and support each other on this beautiful journey of childbirth.